Queen's Vase

Group 2, Ascot 15:05 £265,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 6f 34y, Class 1

Tweet Wednesday 17th June 2026

1 Limestone 10/3
2 Del Maro 12/1
3 Ranga Tang 40/1
11 ran Distances: nse, 1l, ½l
Time: 3m 2.07s (slow by 0.57s)

CLOSE! Limestone wins the Queen’s Vase in a thriller! #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/2O1jmdPnpN

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

Progressive stayer Limestone continued his rapid rise through the ranks with a determined victory, edging out Del Maro by the narrowest of margins.

Sent off the 10-3 favourite, the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt was pushed along by Dylan Browne McMonagle early in the home straight but responded willingly, finding plenty under pressure to overhaul his rivals in the closing stages.

Del Maro finished with a strong late run of his own but was denied by a nose, while front-running outsider Ranga Tang held on gamely for third, a length behind the runner-up.

The victory extended Limestone’s winning sequence to four races, following successes at Listowel, Cork and most recently in Listed company at Navan.

O’Brien said: “He’s a very tough and tenacious horse. It was close and, to be honest, I thought we might have been beaten, but Dylan gave him a fantastic ride.

“He got him into a great position and controlled the race just as we hoped because we felt his turn of foot was one of his biggest assets.

“When they quickened I thought the Godolphin horse might just have got us, but our fellow has been in a few tight finishes before and always seems to come out on top.

“He’s bred to be a very good middle-distance or staying horse and keeps improving with every run. The sky really is the limit for him.”

Browne McMonagle said: “I was delighted with the position I got into from the first bend. He broke sharply and I was happy either to follow the pace or make it if necessary.

“A couple of horses went on, which suited me perfectly as it gave him something to aim at.

“They quickened around the bend and briefly caught me for speed, but I knew he would be strongest in the final furlong and he proved that.

“He’s a very tough horse who keeps finding and only ever seems to do enough. Those are often the horses who continue progressing and I think he’s definitely one of them.

“The team has the horses in fantastic order and hopefully there are more winners to come this week.”

Charlie Appleby said of Del Maro: “We’re getting closer. He looks every inch a staying type and we rode him with the intention of finishing strongly, which he did.

“You would have to view him as a potential St Leger horse now.

“Sometimes you can question how much he puts into his races, but today he really tried. Stayers aren’t something we have in abundance, so we’ll continue training him with those races in mind.”

Reflecting on his previous day’s runners, Appleby added: “You have to stay positive about what Opera Ballo and Talk Of New York achieved. They’ve all come out of their races well.

“The only disappointment was Notable Speech, but we’ll draw a line through that and head to France with him, while Opera Ballo will go to Goodwood.

“One of the younger horses we’re particularly looking forward to this week is Wise Approach, who has already proven himself at Group One level and is ready to run.”

John Gosden said of fourth-placed Point Of Law: “He didn’t have the easiest trip as he got squeezed from both sides at the first bend, which knocked him right to the back.

“He showed a great attitude to stay on strongly afterwards and looks a very nice prospect for the future. He’ll learn plenty from that experience.”

setting the pace for much of the race, stuck on admirably to finish third and complete an exciting finish.

Queen's Vase (Group 2)
£265,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 6f 34y, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good to Firm

running order

Queen's Vase Winners