There are a host of international runners as usual at Royal Ascot but the real stars come from France this year who are aiming to end a five year run without a win. We have highlighted some of the stars here.
TUESDAY
BIG ROCK (France), trained by Maurizio Guarnieri - Queen Anne Stakes
Routed the field in last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes but a bitter disappointment in the Lockinge Stakes on debut for his new trainer. Christhophe Soumillon takes over the ride.
“The ground was not soft but the other problem was the stalls because the jockey tried to get away first and the horse put his nose on the stall and then put his knees on the ground,” explains Guarnieri. “For a frontrunner that is a real problem.
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“He finished two lengths to Inspiral who finished fourth. It wasn’t a real bad performance. Big Rock is a real champion and I think he has improved from Newbury.”
FACTEUR CHEVAL (France), trained by Jerome Reynier - Queen Anne Stakes
Finished six lengths second on Big Rock at Ascot last October, then gave his Marseille-based trainer his richest win when beating a top field to win the Dubai Turf in March.
“Facteur Cheval came back from Dubai in really good shape. He knows Ascot’s straight mile, having run so well there behind Big Rock in October, and although the ground conditions probably won’t be the same we saw him doing really well on good ground in Dubai, and that form is amazing. He’s ticking many boxes and can go to Royal Ascot with many hopes.”
Also running: Dolayli (Francis-Henri Graffard)
Asfoora: the Aussie sprinter contests the King Charles III Stakes (Racing Photos via Getty Images)ASFOORA ( Australia), trained by Henry Dwyer - King Charles III Stakes
The Aussies have gained five of their sprint successes in this race and Asfoora is bidding to join Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast and Nature Strip on the roll of honour. Warmed up with a fourth in the Temple Stakes at Haydock.
Trainer Henry Dwyer said: “In her right conditions, I think she can win a Group One. We knew we would probably need the run at Haydock a little bit. It was too wet and she wasn’t ready for that. But I think at her peak, which she will be at Ascot and beyond, she is well and truly up to it.”
WEDNESDAY
BLUE ROSE CEN (France), trained by Maurizio Guarnieri - Prince of Wales’s Stakes
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Last year’s French Oaks winner was locked up with nowhere to go in the Nassau at Goodwood but ended the year winning the Prix de l’Opera. Was short of room in her comeback race too for which Aurelien Lemaitre has paid by losing the ride to Soumillon. Will have help this time from pacemaker Snobbish.
“Blue Rose Cen came back after 224 days, first time against colts and five-year-olds, which was hard. She showed everybody she can return to the same level and I was not satisfied with the race.”
Also running: Horizon Dore (Patrice Cottier), Zarakem (Jerome Reynier), Snobbish (Maurizio Guarnieri)
Ramatuelle (left): aiming to atone for a narrow defeat in the 1,000 Guineas (Getty Images)FRIDAY
RAMATUELLE (France), trained by Christopher Head - Coronation Stakes
The former trainer of Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen has a point to prove with Ramatuelle, who looked destined for victory in the 1,000 Guineas only to be caught in the dying strides, ending up third.
“We almost got the win,” said tHead. “She did something incredible that day. We were happy with the performance. We are aiming for the mile again and we will see what to do with her afterwards. She is a very swift filly. Now we need to see round a turn if it can change anything regarding the mile races.”
Also running: Rouhiya (Francis-Henri Graffard),
SATURDAY
MISSED THE CUT (USA), trained by John Sadler - Hardwicke Stakes
A first runner in Britain from a stable which trained the best horse in the world in 2022, the brilliant Flightline. Missed The Cut won at Royal Ascot in 2022 for George Boughey before he was exported to California where he has added three Group 3 victories.
"“We stopped trying to make him a dirt horse and just concentrated on the grass and it’s been fun to have these long-distance turf horses," Sadler said. "He’s doing probably better than ever. Distance is not an issue with him.”
Also running: Goliath (Francis-Henri Graffard)
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