Ten Countries Among Ascot Entries

Ten countries are represented among the 388 entries received for the eight Group 1 races at Royal Ascot, including California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), who has been entered in the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. over 10 furlongs. Entries have been received from the UK (237), Ireland (75), France (46), the U.S. (11), Australia (8), Hong Kong (4), Germany (3), Japan (2), Spain (1) and Sweden (1). 

The highest number of entries (77) came in for the G1 Commonwealth Cup, a new addition to the Royal Ascot program that will be contested over six furlongs for 3-year-olds. Entries include champion 2-year-old filly Tiggy Wiggy (Ire)(Kodiac {GB}); The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); and the Wesley Ward trio of Hootenanny (Quality Road), Luck of the Kitten (Kitten’s Joy)–both also entered for the G1 St. James’s Palace over a mile–and Sunset Glow (Exchange Rate). The race has also drawn interest from two Australian camps with Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds: Godolphin with Holler (Aus) (Commands) and Gai Waterhouse with the as-yet unraced Cyrus Rocks (Aus)(Bernardini). 

Other notable entries include Australia’s G1 Queen Elizabeth S. winner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) in the Prince of Wales’s; star Hong Kong miler Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) in the G1 Queen Anne S.; Karakontie (Jpn)(Bernstein) in the Queen Anne; evergreen sprinter Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), seeking his third G1 King’s Stand S. where he could face the likes of Australian sprinter Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) and U.S. invadersUndrafted (Purim) and Holy Lute (Midnight Lute). The Graham Motion-trained Miss Temple City (Temple City), second to Lady Eli (Divine Park) in the GIII Appalachian S. at Keeneland, is entered for the G1 Coronation S. 

“To have 10 countries represented at this initial stage is very pleasing, especially as there are star international names in the two races we most want to build as global events–the Prince of Wales’s S. and the Queen Anne S.,” said Guy Henderson, chief executive of Ascot. “We are very grateful to all connections from home and abroad for providing the initial cast for what will hopefully be the racing event of the summer.”