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

Ombudsman did no more than was required to maintain his perfect record this season, edging out Gethin in a tactical renewal of the Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown and setting up a mouthwatering return clash with Arc winner Daryz at Royal Ascot.

Three-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman fends off Gethin to land the @StarSports_Bet Brigadier Gerard Stakes 🥇 @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/dDsD1ZiBoW

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 28, 2026

John and Thady Gosden’s star performer had suffered defeat under a penalty in this race 12 months earlier and, for a moment inside the final furlong, history threatened to repeat itself as Gethin closed menacingly while receiving 7lb from the favourite.

However, William Buick always appeared to have enough in reserve aboard the 2-5 market leader, who dug deep to prevail by a neck and keep his Prince of Wales’s Stakes preparations firmly on track.

John Gosden said: “He needed the race last year and honestly he hasn’t seen grass since Meydan, he’s trained entirely on all-weather, that’s how much we’ve had a drought and no rain at all.

“He’s gone through his girths there and is a bit of a pro now who just does what he has to.

“I thought it was a good performance giving 7lb and I thought the second ran a grand race. I’m very happy and that’s exactly what I expected.

“I’m delighted and he was coming here at 85 per cent. It was a trial for Royal Ascot and that puts him spot on, so I couldn’t be more pleased with him. He’s a very cool customer these days and isn’t too flashy and they get old and wise like boxers.

“I have certainly found the more they race the smarter they are about the way they race and don’t waste a lot of energy.”

Bookmakers left Ombudsman unchanged for the defence of his Prince of Wales’s Stakes crown, where he is likely to face the formidable challenge of Daryz, with Gosden relishing the prospect.

He added: “I think it will be an exciting race with Daryz coming over and he looks a phenomenal horse and it will be a proper Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

“I think Ombudsman is a bigger, stronger horse than he was 12 months ago and I’m delighted with how he has matured. He was second in this race last year then got on a roll.

“I think the pace of the race is important to him and I don’t see any reason why he won’t continue to run well throughout the year.

“I don’t think a mile and half is in my circumference and I’m not mad to go up in trip with him. There are so many lovely races at a mile and a quarter which is a beautiful distance I think.

“I like Arcs and King Georges, but I’m not going to suddenly throw him in those sort of races and for me this is what racing is all about, proper older horses meeting over a mile and a quarter and to me that is blue riband stuff.”

Recent developments have brought Almaqam firmly into the picture after a breakthrough top-level success in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Long regarded by connections as a horse of exceptional ability, he finally delivered on that promise with a performance that suggested there could be even more to come.

Almaqam registered the top-level success Ed Walker had been craving with an utterly brilliant display.

Shoemark Group 1 magic. Always been class. Always wanted to be part of a team. A lesson to us all - however badly you are treated never give up. And you can overcome anything. Ed Walker your dad would be so proud of you @curraghrace 💛🖤💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/17TWjxa4ZS

— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) May 24, 2026

Often left despairing over ground conditions with his star middle-distance performer, who ended last season by finishing third behind Calandagan and Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes, Walker headed into the lion’s den of the Curragh for the five-year-old’s first outing of the campaign and was duly rewarded.

Sent off 13-2 in the hands of Kieran Shoemark, the bay’s rider was bullish from the off as he rolled forward and got his mount in the prime position to accelerate for home in the straight.

He then advertised every ounce of his class to lead home an all-British one-two-three, with George Scott’s Bay City Roller two lengths behind in second and Roger Varian’s Saddadd, Almaqam’s half-brother, in third.

As well as it being Almaqam’s first strike in Group One company, it was Shoemark’s first since Friendly Soul’s Prix de l’Opera triumph on Arc day in 2024 and a first for Walker since Makarova’s Abbaye triumph on the same Parisian afternoon.

As a result of the victory Almaqam is now 6-1 for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot with Coral.

Walker said: “Kieran was absolutely brilliant on him and has really got to know him. He is a horse who needs waking up and engaging, as he is so laid-back. I thought he gave him a peach of a ride.

“Fair play to the horse, as he hadn’t run for a long time and he dug deep. It is a sigh of relief too, as I have banged on about this horse for long enough now so it is great to finally do it. People were probably bored with me talking about him and not producing, so hopefully this is his year and we could aim high now.

“This is a seriously tough division and it won’t be easy wherever we go but he has bagged a big one now. This is my first winner in Ireland so at least I can come back with some confidence.”

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
£1,000,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 1f 212y, Class 1
17 remaining entries
Going:

(Form as of May 28)

THE PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES
Past Results