Royal Ascot 2026 Contenders: Full Field, Horse-by-Horse Odds, Top Contender

The Ascot Gold Cup is the premier staying race of Royal Ascot and one of the most prestigious contests in international horse racing. Scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Group 1 feature will be run over a testing distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs, attracting some of the finest stayers from Britain, Ireland and beyond.

With a competitive field featuring proven Group 1 performers, rising stars and Classic winners, the 2026 renewal promises to be one of the highlights of the Flat racing season.

Full List of Ascot Gold Cup 2026 Runners, Top Contenders

1. Dubai Future

Trainer/Jockey: Saeed bin Suroor / TBC

Draw: 7

Official Rating: 110

RPR: 119

Age: 10

Weight: 9-4

Form: 66-841

Brief: Veteran stayer with solid experience at Group level. Still capable on his day but faces a much tougher assignment against younger, progressive rivals.

2. Trawlerman

Trainer/Jockey: John & Thady Gosden / TBC

Draw: 12

Official Rating: 121

RPR: 133

Age: 8

Weight: 9-4

Form: 51111-

Brief: One of the standout stayers in training. Extremely reliable at this level and a leading contender with proven stamina over long distances.

3. Al Nayyir

Trainer/Jockey: Tom Clover / TBC

Draw: 1

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 123

Age: 8

Weight: 9-4

Form: 23-132

Brief: Tough, consistent performer who always gives his best. Will stay the trip but may need a career-best to win at this level.

4. Ascending

Trainer/Jockey: Henry De Bromhead / TBC

Draw: 3

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 117

Age: 7

Weight: 9-4

Form: 1126-7

Brief: Solid staying type with some useful form, but needs a big step forward to trouble the main contenders.

5. Le Destrier

Trainer/Jockey: Willie Mullins / TBC

Draw: 10

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 117

Age: 7

Weight: 9-4

Form: 51/2/3

Brief: Strong staying profile from a top yard. Could outrun odds if adapting well to top-class flat opposition.

6. Al Riffa

Trainer/Jockey: Joseph O'Brien / TBC

Draw: 2

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 131

Age: 6

Weight: 9-4

Form: 174-63

Brief: High-class Group performer with serious ability. Big chance if stamina holds out in a strongly run race.

7. Sweet William

Trainer/Jockey: John & Thady Gosden / TBC

Draw: 11

Official Rating: 117

RPR: 130

Age: 7

Weight: 9-4

Form: 212-12

Brief: Reliable and tough stayer. Always runs his race and is expected to be competitive again at Royal Ascot.

8. Dallas Star

Trainer/Jockey: Robson De Aguiar / TBC

Draw: 6

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 118

Age: 5

Weight: 9-4

Form: 233254

Brief: Honest type but needs a major improvement to compete with Group 1 stayers.

9. Illinois

Trainer/Jockey: Aidan O'Brien / TBC

Draw: 8

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 128

Age: 5

Weight: 9-4

Form: 1227-3

Brief: Talented Ballydoyle runner with strong staying potential. Could improve again over this longer trip.

10. Jan Brueghel

Trainer/Jockey: Aidan O'Brien / TBC

Draw: 9

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 136

Age: 5

Weight: 9-4

Form: /214-1

Brief: Highest-rated runner in the field. Strong Group 1 performer and one of the leading players in the race.

11. Columbus

Trainer/Jockey: Willie Mullins / TBC

Draw: 5

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 124

Age: 5

Weight: 9-4

Form: 24536-

Brief: Stays well and represents a strong staying yard. Needs improvement but not without hope.

12. Miss Alpilles

Trainer/Jockey: Ed Walker / TBC

Draw: 19

Official Rating: 98

RPR: 116

Age: 5

Weight: 9-1

Form: 211-32

Brief: Consistent mare in good form. Faces a tough class rise but may run better than expected.

13. Caballo De Mar

Trainer/Jockey: George Scott / TBC

Draw: 4

Official Rating: 114

RPR: 128

Age: 5

Weight: 9-4

Form: 17-221

Brief: Progressive stayer who arrives in strong form. Could be a lively outsider.

14. Lazy Griff

Trainer/Jockey: Charlie Johnston / TBC

Draw: 16

Official Rating: 114

RPR: 126

Age: 4

Weight: 9-3

Form: /223-3

Brief: Lightly raced and improving, but this is a big step up in class.

15. Scandinavia

Trainer/Jockey: Aidan O'Brien / TBC

Draw: 18

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 129

Age: 4

Weight: 9-3

Form: 111-11

Brief: Unbeaten in recent starts and highly progressive. Could be a future staying star.

16. Furthur

Trainer/Jockey: Andrew Balding / TBC

Draw: 14

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 124

Age: 4

Weight: 9-3

Form: 160-46

Brief: Has shown ability but needs a big career-best performance to threaten.

17. Carmers

Trainer/Jockey: Paddy Twomey / TBC

Draw: 13

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 125

Age: 4

Weight: 9-3

Form: 125-51

Brief: Improving young stayer with potential to progress further over this distance.

18. Rahiebb

Trainer/Jockey: Roger Varian / TBC

Draw: 17

Official Rating: 115

RPR: 128

Age: 4

Weight: 9-3

Form: 2342-1

Brief: Progressive type who arrives after a win. Could still have more improvement to come.

19. Lambourn

Trainer/Jockey: Aidan O'Brien / Wayne Lordan

Draw: 15

Official Rating: N/A

RPR: 132

Age: 4

Weight: 9-3

Form: 1154-1

Brief: Derby winner stepping into a stamina test with huge potential. One of the most exciting runners in the field.