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.

Seven races, three Group 1s, nearly 120 runners and over £2.75million in prize money - the first day of Royal Ascot 2026 is set to be a spectacular day of sport.

The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (2.30pm) gets things underway after the Royal Procession. Godolphin have won this mile contest a record eight times but not since 2017 with Ribchester - this looks a golden opportunity to add to that tally, with Lockinge Stakes winner (and last year's second favorite) Notable Speech and Jebel Hatta/Sandown Mile scorer Opera Ballo both lining up as well as the smart First Conquest.

It's interesting, therefore, that Charlie Appleby's stable jockey William Buick chooses to ride the first-named of the three. More Thunder and Zeus Olympios filled the places in the Lockinge and still have untapped potential. Last year's winner Docklands ran well in defeat in Hong Kong in April and his form figures at Ascot read 11322214 - he simply loves it around here. Such is the strength in depth of the field that you'll likely get a huge price about a Group 1 winner over course and distance in Cicero's Gift, the six-year-old having caused a 100/1 shock on QIPCO British Champions Day last October.

Next up is the Group 2 Coventry Stakes (3.05pm) over six furlongs and this time it's trainer Aidan O'Brien's turn to dominate the leaderboard, having won the race a record 11 times including last year with subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Gstaad. This year Ballydoyle send out two in Confucius and Great Barrier Reef, with Ryan Moore picking the former.

The new powerhouse on the block, Wathnan Racing, is triple-handed with Royal Heritage - a winner at Hamilton just six days ago - appearing to be the first string with James Doyle taking the ride. Night In Vegas won over course and distance in May and backed up that form at Goodwood whilst Adaay Of Scarlett was successful here on Royal Ascot Trials Day albeit came up slightly short at Listed level three weeks ago.

Brian Meehan and Manton Thoroughbreds famously won this contest with the recently-retired Rashabar at 80/1 - you might get a similar price about Cilician for the same connections, having finished second on debut 13 days ago. Another that could go well at a big price is the Royal Ascot Racing Club-owned Easy Answer who was third on debut at Yarmouth and has reportedly come on for the run.

The King Charles III Stakes (3.40pm) will see 26 runners vie for glory in this five-furlong Group 1 contest. Last year's winner American Affair looks to be coming to the boil again at the right time having had two quick runs in May - his first races since that famous first top-level success for trainer Jim Goldie last year.

Night Raider has been a different proposition after being gelded, with back-to-back Group successes, whilst French filly Rayevka also brings Group-winning form at five furlongs last time out. The unknown quantity is Australian raider Overpass who hasn't won since November 2024 but has been consistent at the very top level including when fourth behind the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, last October - he filled the same position behind Joliestar in the T J Smith Stakes in April and will hope to extend the fantastic record of Australian sprinters in this race. That includes 2024 winner Asfoora who stayed in Britain over the winter and now transfers back to Henry Dwyer having been trained by Lemos De Souza for her first two runs this campaign.

Tuesday's feature is the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes (4.20pm) with six three-year-old colts aiming for victory over the round mile. The leading protagonist is Bow Echo, trained by George Boughey. He was a highly impressive winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket where he beat Gstaad by nearly three lengths, with that rival going on to take the Irish equivalent three weeks later by a comfortable distance.

The former has had just four runs in his career and could conceivably improve again for his run at the start of May. Puerto Rico is an interesting second runner for Aidan O'Brien, a Group 1 winner at two and slightly disappointing on his reappearance when beaten at odds-on in top-level company - he could easily bounce back to form. If it wasn't for the two Guineas winners in the field then Talk Of New York would be the talk of the town himself, having won the Heron Stakes at Sandown by a wide margin - he is well worth his place in this company, and this will be by far the hardest test of his career so far.

20 will go to post in the first handicap of the Royal Meeting, the Ascot Stakes (5.00pm) over the Gold Cup distance of two miles and four furlongs. Last year's favorite Reaching High, owned by Their Majesties The King and The Queen, got no luck at all in last year's race and hasn't seen the track since, but trainer Willie Mullins will be sure to have him fit and ready for a race he won back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, with three runners-up since.

Mullins also sends out Bunting who was third in the similar stamina test of the Cesarewitch Handicap last October. Joseph O'Brien trained the second, third and fourth in last year's renewal and this year he's represented by no less than seven of the field including Puturhandstogether, the Irish Cesarewitch winner last September and a classy hurdler in his own right for owner JP McManus. The best of the British contingent might be Beylerbeyi, last year's Cesarewitch winner who ran over an inadequate trip last time out.

The Wolferton Stakes (5.35pm), a Listed contest over ten furlongs, looks typically strong this year. Last year's winner Haatem hasn't quite lived up to that performance in three subsequent starts - he is one of three in the field for Wathnan Racing who also send out Map Of Stars and King's Gambit, the latter finishing third behind Haatem last year. Splitting those two was Galen who is also back for more in 2026.

Ghostwriter hasn't been out on the track since finishing third in the Hardwicke Stakes last year whilst Nahraan is also bidding to overcome a long layoff, last seen finishing third in a Group 3 at Longchamp last September - with just four runs he's by far the least exposed in this field. There are plenty dropping down in grade with the likes of Survie, Royal Rhyme, Adelaide River and Dividend all running in Group 1 or 2 events last time.

Tuesday's action closes with the Copper Horse Handicap at 6.10pm over one mile and six furlongs. Last year it was a well-backed Wathnan favorite doing the business in French Master and this time round Valiancy looks to perform a similar feat, having won in good style on his return at Hamilton.

Once again the powerful owners field three with Sing Us A Song and Ernst Blofeld also among the 16-strong field. Daiquiri Bay beat Gamrai into second at Newmarket at the start of May with those two reopposing here - the latter will be trying this trip for the first time on Tuesday. Ascending won the Ascot Stakes over six furlongs further at last year's Royal Meeting but proved his aptitude for this distance when second in York's Ebor Handicap next time.

Stressfree put in a rare poor performance last time at York and has the talent to quickly bounce back to form for trainer David O'Meara and jockey Daniel Tudhope who won this race in 2022 with Get Shirty.

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Ten Bob Tony springs upset in Queen Anne Stakes

Ten Bob Tony became the longest-priced winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes since Garrick in 1950 as he caused a 50/1 shock in the Royal Ascot curtain raiser.

Although unconsidered in the betting having done much of his racing over shorter, Ed Walker's runner arrived on the back of a head success in the G3 Tattenham Corner Stakes at Epsom Downs.

Stepping up to a mile, his jockey Kieran Shoemark wanted nothing to do with the strong early fractions set by Opera Ballo and settled the five-year-old in rear of the nine runners.

Ten Bob Tony made headway on the stands' side of the group to challenge Opera Ballo inside the furlong marker, with More Thunder challenging on the far side. The trio battled towards the line, with Ten Bob Tony prevailing by half a length from More Thunder.

G1 Lockinge Stakes winner Notable Speech, sent off the 9/4 favourite, failed to show his best form in this race for the second year running and finished sixth.

Walker said: "It is just an amazing story. Ten Bob Tony was Simon Sadler's first-ever horse and now he's got more than 50 in training worldwide. Ten Bob Tony won a Group Three 10 days ago and then turned up here and did that. Kieran gave him an absolute peach of a ride and was very, very patient. The miracle happened.

"We agreed we'd sit last and try to pass as many as we could in the final furlong. It is beautiful ground out there. I always think at Ascot you can get away with horses that need a bit of dig on the straight course. Chris does such an amazing job that it's like a carpet out there, so it's very forgiving quick ground. I was confident when I walked it that the horse would enjoy it."

St James's Palace Stakes Victor Bow Echo crowned king of three-year-old milers

The rematch between Betfred 2000 Guineas one-two Bow Echo and Gstaad lived up to its billing in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes, with George Boughey's stable star emerging victorious after a final-furlong showdown in the feature race on the first day of Royal Ascot.

The unbeaten Bow Echo (5/6F), who had almost three lengths in hand at Newmarket, was made to work harder here as Gstaad (2/1) benefited from a smooth inside trip under Ryan Moore.

Bow Echo moved up strongly out wide of the six runners approaching the final two furlongs, but the Night Of Thunder colt was unable to get away from his main market rival once asked to win his race by Billy Loughnane.

Gstaad rallied doggedly after the duo forged ahead passing the furlong marker, with Bow Echo showing a great attitude to prevail by a short-head. Talk Of New York (11/2) ran a creditable race in third on his first start at this level, almost two lengths further back.

Boughey said: "It is a dream to be training horses like this, to be trusted with them, and to do it with Billy makes it even more special. He's like a younger brother, like a friend; we chat the whole time, and to be able to have that affinity with a jockey is amazing. I've been lucky to have a lot of good riders ride for me but he's an exceptional talent, both on and off the horse. He's meticulous in his planning and I think it's showing on the track. To be able to provide him with an unbeaten Guineas winner to come and win at Royal Ascot is as good as it gets."

Loughnane said: "The first furlong was crucial and I got squeezed out early. There were five of us in a line and I slightly lost my position and Bow Echo got lit up. It was then a case of trying to manage things. The Amo horse came back into our lap and it meant I had to move probably sooner than ideal, but his guts got him through. He's a very determined horse with a great turn of foot and fantastic ability."

O'Brien continues domination of Coventry Stakes with Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef (6/1) maintained his unbeaten record with a tenacious victory in the G2 Coventry Stakes, handing trainer Aidan O'Brien a 12th win in the six-furlong highlight for two-year-olds.

The No Nay Never colt had been partnered by Ryan Moore in both previous wins, but Moore opted to partner stablemate Confucius, resulting in that runner going off 2/1 favourite.

Ridden this time by Wayne Lordan, Great Barrier Reef challenged down the centre of the track as the action unfolded towards the stands' rail.

Eight horses were in contention inside the final furlong, with Great Barrier Reef finishing best to beat Adaay Of Scarlett (40/1) by half a length. Royal Heritage (12/1) was a neck further back in third.

O'Brien said: "Great Barrier Reef is obviously not a home worker and, even before he won the last day, we were a little bit disappointed with his work. But he's clearly better on the track, although we've always liked him.

"Wayne gave him a lovely ride. He said he was finishing off very well, while Ryan felt they went plenty hard on his side. From where he was drawn, Ryan got sucked into it and had to keep going. Wayne was in the other group on the far side and they were finishing well because the near-side group had gone so hard, perhaps."

Mission Central leaves it late in King Charles III Stakes

Mission Central (14/1) denied French raider Rayevka and Australian challenger Overpass in a thrilling finish to the G1 King Charles III Stakes.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Mission Central lined up in the five-furlong contest after two wins over the distance in Ireland this season and was taken back early by Ryan Moore.

Still with plenty to do approaching the final furlong, Mission Central powered home along the stands' rail to deny a similarly fast-finishing Rayekva (7/1) by a head, with the duo spread across the track. The 10/3 favourite Overpass fared best of those who raced prominently in third.

Mission Central was gaining a second notable success at Ascot, having won the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes last year.

O'Brien said: "Mission Central is a very fast horse. He is unbeaten this year and progressed with every run. They went hard, which suited him. In all his previous races, he is very forward because they don't go very fast and he's got an awful lot of speed.

"Ryan gave him a great ride. He obviously knew they were going really hard. He really motivated him inside the final furlong, incredible. A big team effort and delighted for everybody involved. He is a horse that could suit The Everest at the end of the year, so he's a very exciting horse."

Moore said: "I thought I'd won, but it's always hard when you're so wide and far apart. Aidan can do anything, can't he? Mission Central is a progressive horse. They went hard, he got into a nice rhythm and he just landed there, it worked out beautifully. I am lucky to ride for Ballydoyle and Coolmore, and everything they run this week is going to have a chance."

Kizlyar outguns stablemate Defiantly in Ascot Stakes

Kizlyar (25/1) led home a one-two for Joseph O'Brien in the Ascot Stakes following a sustained battle with stablemate Defiantly over the final two furlongs.

Having saddled the second, third and fourth in the staying contest 12 months ago, O'Brien fielded a seven-strong team, with one of the biggest-priced runners in his squad coming out on top.

Kizlyar led narrowly a furlong out and kept finding to give his rider Joey Sheridan a first Royal Ascot success. Defiantly (25/1) went down by a head, with Tim Toe (8/1) third for last year's winning trainer Henry de Bromhead. Barnso (40/1) fared best of the British runners in fourth.

Joseph O'Brien said: "I am so delighted for Margaret and her family, they lost Dr Andrew Heffernan, Margaret's husband, a few months ago, and I feel like Kizlyar had a little extra push in the final 100 yards. It looked like Defiantly maybe had outbattled him at one stage, but he battled back hard in the final furlong."

Map Of Stars shows class in Wolferton Stakes

G1 performer Map Of Stars (13/2) relished the drop back in grade as he landed the Listed Wolferton Stakes under Australia-based rider James McDonald.

Aided by first-time cheekpieces, the five-year-old produced a strong burst out wide to run down Wimbledon Hawkeye (12/1) and score by half a length. Dividend (33/1) was almost two lengths further back in third.

Runner-up in the G1 Prix Ganay last season for Francis-Henri Graffard, Map Of Stars subsequently finished fourth behind Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. He becomes the first French-trained winner of the Wolferton Stakes.

Graffard said: "It was fantastic. The horse travelled really relaxed and, when he's like that, he has an amazing turn of foot. This horse has let us down a few times, but when he's on one of his good days, he is a great horse.

"I said to Richard Brown, 'I have a lovely Listed race in the middle of France if you want to bring him back into the winner's enclosure,' and he said, 'No chance, you're coming to Ascot.' I think he was right!

"I am happy for James as well. It's really nice to team up with a legendary jockey like him and he rode him perfectly. It's lovely to have a winner, and frustrating not to have two today."

Daiquiri Bay asserts superiority over Gamrai in Copper Horse Stakes

Alan King's Dacquiri Bay (6/1) recorded back-to-back successes as he once again beat Gamrai (9/2), this time in the closing race of Day 1 of Royal Ascot, the Copper Horse Stakes.

Dacquiri Bay had finished in front of John & Thady Gosden's four-year-old in a 12-furlong handicap at Newmarket at the start of May and managed to confirm the form here over a slightly longer distance, keeping on well when challenged.

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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.