Last year’s Breeders Cup Mile winner and US star Tepin is just one of the major attractions at Royal Ascot this year, as a record number of overseas entries head to the famous course this summer. Unbeaten in three starts so far this season, the three year old has been entered into the prestigious Queen Anne Stakes which this year is worth up to £600,000. With over one hundred and sixty entries from foreign shores in total, this years racing at Royal Ascot looks set to be some of the most competitive in recent history.
Record breaking figures this year beat those set back in 2013, with thirty five entries coming from outside of Europe. Meanwhile, Trainer Aiden O’Brien is responsible for almost half of Ireland’s eighty one entries, including red hot favourite for the upcoming Qipco 2000 Guineas, Air Force Blue. The three year old is 4/6 on with bookmakers Coral to claim glory at Newmarket before entering the St James’ Palace Stakes at Newmarket. As Royal Ascot gets nearer we are likely to see further changes to the racing line ups, with many big names battling it out to secure famous wins.
The number of foreign entries is only likely to grow as a result of juvenile races, and with additional prize money of £1million from last year, the fact that earnings are now over £6.5million in total is certain to ensure the iconic meeting continues to grow in the future. Other big names in the Royal Ascot betting this year come in the form of Japanese horse A Shin Hikari in the Prince of Wales Stakes as well as Chautauqua in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Widely regarded as the finest sprinter in Australia, Coral offer the horse as the 4/1 favourite for glory in his chosen race.
Royal Ascot organisers are predictably delighted with the number of international entries, with the event running from the 14th-18th of June likely to draw record crowds through the gates.