The initial entries for Royal Ascot's eight Group 1s were revealed on Wednesday. Cartier Horse of the Year Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) headlines the meeting's opening contest, the G1 Queen Anne S., and she is joined by last year's G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), who also won the G1 St James's Palace S. at last year's Royal meeting. American-trained entrants for the Queen Anne include last-out GI Maker's 46 Mile victor American Patriot (War Front) and three-time Grade I winner Miss Temple City (Temple City), who could make her third appearance at Royal Ascot.
The G1 King's Stand S., also on opening day, includes the last two winners, Profitable (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Goldream (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Last year's G2 Queen Mary S. winner and Cartier champion 2-year-old filly Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) is also set to ship in for trainer Wesley Ward.
The 46 entries for the St James's Palace S. include the Aidan O'Brien pair of Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), who were both successful at Royal Ascot last year. Caravaggio also headlines the six-furlong G1 Commonwealth Cup.
The G1 Prince of Wales's S. could set up as a clash between Cartier champion 3-year-old Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and the likes of Minding, Galileo Gold, Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy), Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
The G1 Gold Cup could see a clash between defending winner Order Of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and French stayer Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), while American trainer Mark Casse, successful at last year's meeting with Tepin (Bernstein), could send La Coronel (Colonel John) for the G1 Coronation S. The G1 Diamond Jubilee S. could see a rematch between The Right Man (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Long On Value (Value Plus), one-two in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in March and separated by a nose. They could face the likes of Acapulco (Scat Daddy), Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}).
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Communications for Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are pleased with the strong entries for the eight Group 1 contests at Royal Ascot this year, including a high-quality U.S. contingent. Tepin's win last year was a significant moment and has clearly opened up options for Mark Casse and other leading U.S. trainers, some of whom have not had runners with us before. The strength in depth in Australia isn't as evident as usual and, with Jameka having suffered travel sickness during her preparation to travel, we will turn our attention to 2018 and hopefully see Winx's participation.”
He added, “Sixties Song, for Argentina, is on course for the King George, which would be exciting and break new ground. South America is very much an emerging force in world racing and it is testament to what has been achieved there that he gained a rating of 120 for winning the Granpremio Latinoamericano.”
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