Queen Anne Stakes
Group 1, Ascot 14:30 £800,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1
Tweet Tuesday 16th June 2026

1 Ten Bob Tony 50/1
2 More Thunder 7/2
3 Opera Ballo 7/2
9 ran Distances: ½l, hd, 2¼l
Time: 1m 37.53s (fast by 1.37s)

50-1 WINNER! 🤯

Ten Bob Tony STEALS the Queen Anne Stakes from last to first in a big blowout for Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark pic.twitter.com/PMUGMH6DSD

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 16, 2026

Ten Bob Tony became the longest-priced winner of the Queen Anne since Garrick in 1950 as he produced a stunning 50-1 upset in the opening Group One of Royal Ascot.

Despite arriving on the back of a head victory in the Group Three Tattenham Corner Stakes at Epsom, Ed Walker’s five-year-old was largely overlooked by punters, with most of his previous success having come over shorter distances.

Stepping up to a mile, Kieran Shoemark was content to settle Ten Bob Tony at the rear of the nine-runner field while Opera Ballo set a strong gallop at the head of affairs.

As the field approached the final furlong, Ten Bob Tony made smooth headway on the stands’ side and swept alongside the leader, with More Thunder launching his challenge on the opposite flank.

The trio fought out the finish, but Ten Bob Tony found most when it mattered, pulling clear to beat More Thunder by half a length, with Opera Ballo another head away in third.

Last month’s Lockinge Stakes hero Notable Speech, the 9-4 favourite, failed to reproduce his best form and finished sixth in the race for the second successive year.

Walker said: “It’s just an amazing story. Ten Bob Tony was Simon Sadler’s first-ever racehorse and now he has more than 50 horses in training around the world.

“He won a Group Three only 10 days ago and then came here and did this. Kieran gave him an absolutely perfect ride, showing tremendous patience. Somehow the miracle happened.

“We agreed beforehand that we would sit last and try to pass as many horses as possible in the closing furlong.

“The ground was beautiful. At Ascot, horses who like a bit of ease can often cope because the straight course is prepared so well. I walked it beforehand and felt confident he would enjoy the conditions.

“This horse is simply a legend. He’s such a solid, genuine performer and by riding him cold everything opened up in front of us late on.

“Kieran didn’t commit too early and saved him for exactly the right moment.”

Looking ahead, Walker added: “After Epsom we thought the Prix de la Forêt would be the obvious long-term target and then wondered what to do in between.

“As we were already entered here, we decided to take our chance because you can’t win races sitting at home.

“I came into the week hoping we might have one winner from around 15 runners, so to strike in the opening race – and in a Group One – is incredibly special.”

Shoemark said: “The conditions were completely different to Epsom and it was another step up in trip, but Ten Bob Tony is a very good horse with proven Group One form.

“He travelled into the race so easily that I never felt we were going too fast and there wasn’t really a pace collapse.

“He cruised into contention and showed just how smart he is.

“He’s clearly thriving at the moment. His Epsom win was good, but he’s taken another step forward mentally and physically.

“Winning the opening Group One at Royal Ascot takes plenty of pressure off and I feel fortunate to be part of such a talented team.”

Owner Simon Sadler said: “This horse is named after my dad, whose nickname came from running a 10-bob stall on Blackpool market.

“He’s not here today because he isn’t in the best of health, but I’m sure he was watching and probably had more money on the horse than I did.

“I’m completely blown away. I’m shaking and there are tears running down my face.

“Never in a million years did we expect this. It was an incredible ride and perhaps Ed will now be in trouble because maybe we should have been running him over a mile for the past two years.”

William Haggas said of runner-up More Thunder: “It’s frustrating, but he’s run a very good race.

“To be honest, I’d probably have taken second place this morning, although of course you always want to win.

“Full credit to Ed because I certainly didn’t see that coming.”

Charlie Appleby reflected on the performances of Opera Ballo and Notable Speech, saying: “There was a strong headwind and it made life difficult for those racing prominently.

“Opera Ballo settled into a nice rhythm after racing a little keenly early and stuck on well. We’ve always felt the Sussex Stakes would suit him perfectly and he’s run with plenty of credit.

“As for Notable Speech, I’m afraid Ascot just doesn’t seem to bring out the best in him. William had to ask him much earlier than usual and that’s never a good sign.

“We’ll probably look towards the Prix Jacques Le Marois before another campaign in North America.”

Billy Loughnane added of Opera Ballo: “It was a very good run. The stiff mile and headwind made things difficult from the front, but he’s a tough horse and stuck on well.”

Queen Anne Stakes (British Champions Series)
£750,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good to Firm

running order

THE QUEEN ANNE STAKES
Past Results