2026 Royal Ascot Day 5 Races at OTB

Bet the Royal Ascot festival online with OffTrackBetting.com! (OTB) is excited to once again offer wagering on one the premiere race meets from across the pond - the 2026 Royal Ascot located at Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire, England.

Day five, the final day of Royal Ascot, sees some of the best sprinters from across the world contest the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes, with the fiendishly difficult Wokingham Stakes and the high-quality Hardwicke Stakes other highlights on another quality day of racing.

Norfolk Stakes

Saturday's opening race, the Norfolk Stakes at 2.30pm, has attracted the most declarations since 2011 with 21 two-year-olds heading to post for this five furlong Group 2. Carry The Flag's second-placed effort behind Great Barrier Reef looks all the better after that horse won the Coventry Stakes earlier in the week. Where Love Lives will also hope that form holds up after he beat Coventry runner-up Adaay of Scarlett at Sandown last month.

It's rare for a filly to run in this race but Wesley Ward runs three, with Ez Tina perhaps the pick of the pack. Ward, of course, won this race in 2013 with No Nay Never and he sires three in the field including Ward's own Through The Years as well as Carry The Flag and Aidan O'Brien's perceived second string New Yorker.

Hardwicke Stakes

Next is the Hardwicke Stakes at 3.05pm, a mile-and-a-half Group 2 which has some serious quality to it. Kalpana looked as good as ever on her seasonal return and has a fine record around Ascot, winning the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes in October as well as finishing second behind Calandagan in last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Jan Brueghel was fourth in that King George but has finished first and second in the last two editions of Epsom's Coronation Cup so is a top performer in his own right. Ethical Diamond won a handicap at Royal Ascot last year then went on to Breeders' Cup glory whilst Amiloc won this equivalent race for three-year-olds at last year's Royal Meeting so both will like the return to familiar surroundings.

2024 King George winner Golaith, multiple Derby winner Lambourn and consistent top-level performer Giavellotto add to the sense that this is a Group 2 in name only.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

The feature race, the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs, is at 3.40pm. Once again there's an international flavour to proceedings with last year's runner-up Satono Reve back to try and go one better. His conqueror that day, Lazzat, is missing today but France is instead doubly represented by Sajir and Stolen Kiss.

There's even a Danish runner in the form of Great Wish. Australia, though, would seem to hold the strongest hand. Joliestar is one of Australia's leading sprinters and has won three times already this year, two of them in Group 1 company. That latest victory saw Overpass come home in fourth - he ran a creditable third in the King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday and this trip should suit him more, with the quick turnaround the only question.

Of the home contingent, the best on form is probably Lake Forest, who put in a fine performance on seasonal return and actually beat Joliestar back in 2024.

Jersey Stakes

The Jersey Stakes, for three-year-olds over seven furlongs, follows at 4.20pm. The unbeaten Saber Strike has done everything easily so far, including winning a Listed Newmarket contest at the start of May, and so this is a natural point for him to continue his progression.

There's Guineas form represented here with 2,000 Guineas fourth Into The Sky and 1,000 Guineas fourth The Prettiest Star dropping in grade here. Catullus and Thesecretadversary are more battle-hardened than most - the latter-named also finished second in last year's Chesham Stakes at the Royal Meeting. Catullus is one of three for Godolphin who also run Morris Dancer and Avicenna.

Wokingham Stakes

The Wokingham Stakes (5.00pm) sees a full field of 28 go to post for this six-furlong handicap. Binhareer has been ultra-consistent in these big-field handicaps of late and must be of interest again having returned to action in May with a strong performance at York.

Realign, too, remains with potential and he got back on the up at Carlisle three weeks ago. Double Rush seeks a hat-trick whilst Far Above Dream has already notched three-in-a-row and now bids to make that four. Hammer The Hammer was second in a Royal Ascot handicap last year and his handicap mark is easing again, with a first-time tongue tie also bidding to turn around fortunes.

Completely Random, meanwhile is back to the mark on which he finished fifth in this race last year and now gets the assistance of cheekpieces and Ryan Moore to try and improve on that.

Golden Gates Stakes

The Golden Gates Stakes at 5.35pm, a handicap for three-year-olds over ten furlongs, will see the London Gold Cup form well represented as the 1-2 from that race reoppose. Lost Boys beat Sahara King and both have since been purchased by Wathnan Racing.

Harmonics enters handicaps with a progressive profile having won his last two starts whilst Princling has already had one run in handicap company and now steps up in trip. Perisher and Evanesco bring more experience than most and can put that to good use - the same can be said for Folk Pageant who has already won three handicaps on the bounce this term and is thriving on her racing.

Queen Alexandra Stakes

The traditional curtain closer is the Queen Alexandra Stakes, a conditions race over an extended two miles and five furlongs. Leading trainer Willie Mullins has won this five times including three in the last five years so his three runners must all be feared, with Le Destrier looking perhaps the classiest of the trio.

Illinois himself is a genuine Group 1 performer and found only Trawlerman too good in last year's Gold Cup so a return to a longer distance after a few shorter runs this term may bring out the best in him again. French Master and A Piece Of Heaven also have form in staying contests and will be of interest if seeing out the trip.

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Almeraq (25/1) produced a career-best performance as he downed some established international stars in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

Top Australian sprinter Joliestar led narrowly heading into the final furlong, but the field was bunched in behind, with Japanese raider Satono Reve, Almeraq and France's Stolen Kiss all finishing well.

All four forged to the line together in an exhilarating finish, with Almeraq winning on the nod from Satono Reve (5/2). Joliestar (15/8F) went down by a short-neck in third, with Stolen Kiss (33/1) a head further back in fourth.

Haggas said: "As you know, Almeraq had a fall at York last year and poor Jim [Crowley] got injured. The horse took a long time to come back and it has been gently, gently this spring. He won nicely at Salisbury, but this is a completely different jump in class and he has managed to cope with it. He is a beautiful horse, we have always loved him. A big, strong, powerful horse, and I think he will get better because he is pretty lightly raced."

Marquand said: "I am not just saying this for effect, but my first thought when I thought I had won was for Jim [Crowley]. This horse and he both took horror falls at the back end of last year. Jim is fighting for his career, he should be aboard this horse, it is his ride.

"The horse did an exceptional job today of getting himself up from a crowded position that he was not enjoying all too much, his confidence is still probably building a bit. It probably made him look like he was in trouble a long way out, he was not really, he just did not know how to wedge himself back in."

Crowley said: "We always believed he was a Group One horse. It was amazing for William Haggas to get him back because he took just as heavy a fall. To get that horse back from that is amazing. Mixed emotions because I want to be on him. It was a tough watch, I have never experienced anything like that in my life, but I am so pleased for everyone involved."

Chris Waller said of Joliestar: "I am just delighted that she turned up. She performed very well and fought out a great finish, which was typical of the week. We have seen some great finishes. Unfortunately, that was one of them and we just missed out, but it was just an honour to be here. It was important coming into the race to make sure that she brought her Australian form here and stood it up, and she really did that. We did not win today but she has certainly got her admirers and that is what international racing is all about. I thought we had to ask her a little bit earlier than I would have liked. It would have been nice to have put a length on them, so I knew it was going to be tough the last 400 metres. She was brave, and it was literally just the last 20 or 30 yards. It was a great run."

James McDonald added: "Joliestar ran superbly. I am so proud of her. I do not really think anything could have gone better as it really unfolded well for us."

Orthodox proves a class apart in Norfolk Stakes

Clive Cox has high hopes for Orthodox (9/2) after the unbeaten juvenile delivered a resounding victory in the G2 Norfolk Stakes.

Impressive when fancied on his debut at Salisbury, the Havana Grey colt tracked the strong pace set by the three Wesley Ward-trained contenders before showing a fine turn of foot under Rossa Ryan to run them down and win going away.

The winning verdict was three and a half lengths to 150/1 outsider El Floridita, with Mussab (66/1) a further neck behind in third.

Cox said: "Orthodox won at Salisbury and that was exciting, but we were only scratching the surface. Since then, he has surprised me with the way he has gone with older horses. He has been amazing and is just really, really special. I would say this horse is pretty special. His auntie, Heartache, won the Queen Mary for us and that was a special day, but this fellow is the next level.

"He will go six furlongs, I do not think that is a problem. Reckless Abandon went from here to the Robert Papin, which was five and a half furlongs in the old days, but is six now. The five-furlong options tend to dry up a little bit and I think he will get six quite cosily. He is just so talented and so fast. His work at home - I thought the guys riding the lead horses were getting it wrong a few times, but clearly not. I think six will be within his compass very easily. He is just a really, really nice horse."

Giavellotto gets Murphy off the mark in Hardwicke Stakes

Globetrotter Giavellotto (9/1) and champion jockey Oisin Murphy teamed up for another significant victory in a blockbuster edition of the G2 Hardwicke Stakes.

Described by Andrew Balding beforehand as 'a Group Two in name only', the 12-furlong contest was run at an honest gallop, which brought the closers into play in the straight.

The 9/4 favourite Kalpana was the first to commit at the two-furlong pole, but Murphy had shadowed her every move and French raider Goliath loomed on the outside.

The trio settled down to fight it out and it was Giavellotto who saw it out best to score by a short-head from Kalpana, with Goliath's challenge hampered by Christophe Soumillon losing his irons.

Botti said: "When Giavellotto got upsides, I thought we are not going to win because the filly [Kalpana] just keeps finding, but he is an incredible horse. He has taken us around the world, and then to win at Royal Ascot - you cannot ask any more than that. He is an unbelievable horse.

"The quality of the Hardwicke Stakes is such that we knew it was going to be Group One level, but he has never let us down. He was a bit warm beforehand, but that is just him. He winds himself up a little bit beforehand but in the race he is always given his best. He is tough."

Murphy said: "I could not believe Giavellotto was so big in the betting. He is brilliant fresh, he is a Group One winner in Hong Kong already, and it is great that he has won the Hardwicke.

"This is my first winner of the week and, when I spoke to His Majesty The King before the first race, he said 'you have not been on the scoresheet this week but keep going,' so I am glad it finally happened."

Andrew Balding said of Kalpana: "The winner is a very good horse, while we are probably slightly better on soft ground, whereas he is very good on this ground. But I am very proud of the way she ran, and delighted for Marco and his team, because it was a hell of a horse race."

Goliath's trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said: "I think with the draw we had [10], we were really far behind, and I did not think my horse would have had the energy to go and get to him. I am so pleased because I think the good Goliath is really back. We love to see him coming on the bridle like that. I think, because of what happened to Christophe, he did not have a really hard race, so it will be better for the next race. It is hard to win at Ascot. You need a lot of luck, and this week we did not have the luck with us, but it is still a very good performance from him."

Stack and Heffernan team up again with Thesecretadversary

Irish trainer Fozzy Stack will leave Royal Ascot this year with two winners from as many runners after Thesecretadversary (20/1) overcame a 3lb penalty in the G3 Jersey Stakes.

Seamie Heffernan's mount got first run on fellow Irish raider Take Charge Star (50/1) entering the final two furlongs and saw the trip out gamely to scored by a neck. The duo pulled four and a half lengths clear of the returning Morris Dancer (25/1) in third.

Winner of a G3 at Leopardstown on his comeback this year, Thesecretadversary was not disgraced in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.

Stack, who won Thursday's Listed Chesham Stakes with Nola Soul, said: "Thesecretadversary put in huge performances in two Classics, when things didn't go his way. He had a 3lb penalty, but this wasn't a surprise to me - I was surprised how much he drifted to be honest.

"Ninety percent of the horses here are good horses and they just need luck and for everything to go right. It was lovely to get one winner and two is unbelievable. I am so pleased for the owners Mrs Rupert and the Magnier family, who have been great supporters. We go back a long way. They are good people."

Double Rush continues ascent through sprint ranks with Wokingham win

Promising Ace Stud-owned sprinter Double Rush (5/1) appears destined for Group races after defying a rating of 105 in the Wokingham Stakes.

Switched from Charlie Hills to Andrew Balding over the winter, the four-year-old arrived 15lb higher in the handicap following a pair of dominant Newmarket victories this season.

Partnered by Shane Foley, Double Rush made smooth headway down the centre to lead passing the furlong pole and had to be tough to see off the closing Completely Random (12/1) by a head. The James Owen-trained duo of Soldier's Tree (11/1) and Far Above Dream (28/1) were third and fourth, with Mitbaahy (50/1) fifth.

Balding said: "Double Rush is a high-class horse who deserves to move out of handicaps now. I am thrilled. In fairness, Charlie Hills was the first to congratulate me and he was devastated when the horse came to us because he really rated him. He was right and has obviously been a big part of his development, so I am grateful to him. He is extremely sporting.

"Shane gave him a peach of a ride. He is an exciting horse. He has got the class to travel and it is not easy to win these big handicaps with high weights. We ended up in the middle, which seemed a little unusual today, but I like to think wherever he was drawn, he would have taken a lot of beating."

McDonald taken with Lost Boys in Golden Gates Stakes

Lost Boys confirmed himself as a potential Stakes performer in the making with an authoritative success for David Menuisier in the Golden Gates Stakes.

Lit up early under James McDonald and forced wider than ideal, the 2/1 favourite had work to do on the home turn but showed class to take the gaps and finished off strongly for a half-length success. Amadeus Mozart (14/1) was second, with Joseph O'Brien's Perisher (5/1) and Nil Gan Dua (22/1) filling the minor places.

Menuisier said: "It is a real thrill winning here. I won the Hardwicke a few years ago with an exceptional filly [Wonderful Tonight, 2021] when there was nobody here, so this is my second winner here.

"I have said it before - he is an exceptional horse because he is showing different traits every time. At home I would not say he is lazy, but he does only enough, so we do not do an awful lot with him. We just keep him fit, which is a task in itself as he is quite chubby. He is a good doer. I have the same problem, so I know where he is coming from, but he runs quicker than me!

"It is time to celebrate now. We will make plans later, but it is very exciting and Group races cannot be too far away."

Illinois stays on best in Queen Alexandra as Moore rides 99th Royal Ascot winner

Ryan Moore will begin next year's Royal Meeting one win away from a century after Illinois (7/4F) pulled out more close to the line to deny French Master in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

The five-year-old Illinois was second in last year's Gold Cup so stamina seemed more assured than most, and Moore managed to galvanize his mount for one final decisive push inside the final furlong to notch a 99th winner at the Royal Meeting in the curtain-closer.

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When is the Royal Ascot Meet?

The 2026 Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday, June 16 through to Saturday, June 20.

Where is the Royal Ascot held?

Royal Ascot is located at Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire, England.

Where can I watch the Royal Ascot?

You can stream all the Royal Ascot races live and watch replays on OffTrackBetting.com

Where can I wager on the Royal Ascot?

You can bet on all the Royal Ascot races online at OffTrackBetting.com! All members have access to Royal Ascot horse race betting, Royal Ascot odds, horse racing results, live video and race replays.