Prince Of Wales’s Stakes

Group 1, Ascot 16:20 £1,000,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 1f 212y, Class 1

Tweet Wednesday 17th June 2026

1 Ombudsman 11/10F
2 Minnie Hauk 15/2
3 Daryz 2/1
8 ran Distances: 4l, 1¾l, 1¾l
Time: 2m 3.24s (fast by 1.16s)

HE’S DONE IT AGAIN! OMBUDSMAN DEFENDS HIS PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES TITLE! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/3h9dVTFMcM

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2026

Ombudsman cemented his place among the greats by becoming only the fourth horse to win back-to-back editions of the Group One Prince of Wales’s Stakes with a scintillating display.

Sent off the 11-10 favourite, the John and Thady Gosden-trained star was settled off the fierce early pace set by the tearaway duo of Mississippi River and Devil’s Advocate before William Buick angled him into the centre of the track in the home straight.

Arc winner Daryz and multiple Group One heroine Minnie Hauk were both poised to challenge with two furlongs remaining, but neither could live with Ombudsman’s devastating turn of foot.

The five-year-old powered four lengths clear of Minnie Hauk, with Daryz another length and three-quarters away in third, joining Connaught, Mtoto and Muhtarram as dual winners of the prestigious contest.

Gosden said: “Aidan had a pacemaker and we had ours doing what we wanted as well, so they naturally met each other and set a strong gallop.

“Turning for home I thought they might have to quicken, but Ombudsman possesses a phenomenal turn of foot for a mile-and-a-quarter horse and simply showed his class.

“To come away from a field like that in the manner he did was very special. Minnie Hauk ran a terrific race, the Arc winner ran well and perhaps Almaqam didn’t quite produce his best, but I think this was one of Ombudsman’s finest performances.”

“We’ll see how he comes out of the race before making plans, but the Juddmonte International at York would be an obvious target because he likes the track.

“We’re fortunate to train horses of this calibre for wonderful owners. You can’t train empty boxes.

“He’s right up there now, although when you mention Enable you’re talking about a mare who won everything. Ombudsman has all the attributes to become an excellent stallion – a great physique, tremendous strength and the right temperament.”

Buick said: “We came here believing he was in excellent shape after his preparation at Sandown, but even so I don’t think you can expect a performance like that.

“The race was run at a proper pace with several high-class horses involved, so I think the form will stand up well. We had huge respect for Daryz, Minnie Hauk and Almaqam, but we also have enormous belief in Ombudsman.

“Today he surprised even me with the way he won and the feel he gave me. Performances like that are very rare.”

“He’s a wonderful horse to deal with and has improved every season. From the end of last year to now he has really matured into the finished article and can do things very few horses can.

“Royal Ascot is the biggest week of the year and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes is one of its flagship races, so to win it on a horse like him is incredibly special.”

Asked about a post-race exchange with Frankie Dettori, Buick added: “Frankie simply said, ‘Well done’. He knows what it’s like and it was great to see him. I’ve still got a long way to go to match his tally here, but we’ll keep trying.”

Aidan O’Brien said of runner-up Minnie Hauk: “We’re delighted with her run. She’s really a mile-and-a-half filly and over this trip she needed an end-to-end gallop, which she got.

“Ryan rode her with great confidence and said she travelled beautifully before just finding the winner had a bit more speed over this distance.

“The King George would look an obvious next target before perhaps heading towards the Arc. This was the ideal preparation.”

Francis-Henri Graffard said of Daryz: “He never really got into a comfortable rhythm. The pacemakers went clear and my horse never had cover or a chance to relax.

“He had to work throughout the race, whereas Ombudsman enjoyed a perfect trip before using his acceleration. We simply didn’t see the same Daryz that won at Longchamp.”

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
£1,000,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 1f 212y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Firm

running order

THE PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES
Past Results