Gr 1 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot

• Black Caviar (2012): Trained by Peter Moody, resplendent in his top hat and no cigarette to be seen, his face aglow with pride and smiles, after his champ extended her legendary winning streak to 22. Her iconic post-race moment with the Queen made global headlines.
• Choisir (2003): Trained by Paul Perry, he was the Australian trailblazer who won the Golden Jubilee Stakes (and the King’s Stand Stakes) in the same week, causing the English to scratch their heads as this double was considered impossible. He paved the way for future Aussie sprinters.
• Merchant Navy (2018): Although Australian-bred and raced, he was transferred to super Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien for his UK campaign so we will happily take it as ours too. He successfully flew the flag for Australian bloodstock by winning the Diamond Jubilee.
• Artorius (2022 & 2023): Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, this hard-finishing star speedster made it to England two years in a row, famously dead-heating for third in 2022 before returning in 2023 for a handy top 10 finish.
• Cannonball & The Astrologist (2023): Both horses represented Australia in the Jubilee field, joining Artorius for a massive but unsuccessful Southern Hemisphere onslaught.

This year we have just Joliestar, but there is a horse who has won in Australia too, LAKE FOREST, for the controversial trainer William Haggas.

So, how does the race unfold and who wins?

Well, the English have our mare the outright favourite from Japan’s brilliant sprinter SATONO REVE who has the great Ryan Moore aboard, with a lot of interest coming for LAKE FOREST (who will not be ridden by Zac Purton – instead  Cieren Fallon steers) and a local called FLORA OF BERMUDA. The French sprinter SAJIR with Oisin Murphy in the saddle, has been steadily tried on the World Betting Pool over the last 24 hours also.

A roughie I like is KIND OF BLUE.

He has won a Gr 1 at this testing course and last start when placed in a lead up race suggests he is back to his best.

His standout performance came when winning the 2024 British Champions Sprint Stakes (Gr 1) at Ascot over 1200m on soft ground, defeating a field of 20. That victory earned him a Racing Post Rating of 121 and established him as a genuine Group 1 sprinter. The negative for him is that he doesn’t go quite as well on firm tracks but you never know re rain in England.

He is a –

* Proven Group 1 winner.
* Proven at Ascot.
* Genuine 1200m specialist.
* First-up run at York this year was excellent and suggests he’s back near his best.

But, him aside, the top 5 chances appear to be these below.

Sajir (IRE)

Comment: “Won the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in France which is a big deal… kicked off this season with two odds‑on Listed defeats but won Group 3 at Chantilly (1000m good) latest; could be in the mix if at the top of his game. Is a little inconsistent though.”

Satono Reve (JPN)

Comment: “We all know that Japanese Gr 1 winners are world class and if they take that form to Hong Kong, we know they are very good. This bloke, therefore merits respect. He’s a 2‑time Japanese G r1 winner… clear second in this race last year also backs up his class… arrives again after finishing second to Ka Ying Rising in the Gr 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. We know that form.”

Lake Forest (GB)

Comment: “Won in Australia over 1500m in outstanding fashion 2years ago in the $10 million Golden Eagle, Runner‑up in the Gr 1 Commonwealth Cup here … reappeared at Haydock last month having been gelded and powered clear for impressive Listed win. But, is he a true 1200m runner at this level? Should be running on.”

Joliestar (AUS)

Comment: “Arrived in England a week or so ago and Waller got there on Thursday. He was delighted with how she looked and has a spring in his step. She is a 5 x Group 1 winner in Australia, including her last two starts (latest in the TJ Smith) this spring. Has clocked under 1.09 for 1200m and that is better form than her rivals. Aussie sprinters tend to be a notch ahead of their European counterparts and she will take plenty of beating.”

Flora Of Bermuda (IRE)

Comment: “Is one of those mares who puts in every race start. Is so honest and deserved comeback victory at Newmarket last start in easier field. Newmarket’s last 400m is uphill so she is very strong. Did finish a terrific third in this race last year… tough mare who battles all the way.”