Australia and Japan Challenge Europe in the Grand Finale of Royal Ascot

Joliestar and Satono Reve Headline an Internationalized Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1), the Centerpiece Event of the Final Day of the Royal Meeting

Kalpana, One of the Grand Figures in the Hardwicke Stakes / ASCOT

BERKSHIRE, England (Special for Turf Diario).– After 4 emotion-packed days, Royal Ascot 2026 will reach its climax this Saturday with a highly attractive program and a feeling hovering over the meeting: world speed seems to have gathered in Berkshire to dispute the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1-1200 m, turf), the stellar event of the final day.

With a purse exceeding 1.3 million dollars and a field of 19 participants, the traditional sprint appears dominated in the previews by two luxury visitors who could take the grand prize far from Europe.

On one side will be the Australian Joliestar, trained by Chris Waller, who arrives at the best moment of her campaign. The daughter of Zoustar adds three consecutive triumphs at Royal Randwick during 2026, including the G1 Canterbury Stakes and T.J. Smith Stakes, two of the most important events on the oceanic calendar for sprinters. With James McDonald back in her saddle, she will attempt to give Australia another success in the race following those achieved by Choisir (Danehill Dancer) and Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).

The main threat to her seems to be Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa), the remarkable Japanese representative who already knows what it is to shine at Ascot. Exactly one year ago, he was on the verge of capturing this very event, falling by just half a length, and now returns with even more solid credentials.

The pupil of Noriyuki Hori won for the second consecutive season the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1), the premier spring sprint in Japan, and subsequently finished second to the Hong Kong phenomenon Ka Ying Rising(Shamexpress) in the Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1), a performance that once again placed him among the best specialists on the planet. Ryan Moore will be his jockey once again.

The international representation does not end there. The Japanese Lugal (Duramente), runner-up in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) in Dubai, will also be part of the field, while the Australian Overpass (Vancouver) will look to capitalize on the excellent state of form he showed on Tuesday when finishing third in the King Charles III Stakes (G1).

Among the locals, the main cards appear to be Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett), recent winner of the Greenlands Stakes (G2) in Ireland; Lake Forest (No Nay Never), who reappeared victorious after being gelded and who was second in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) of 2024; and the French Sajir (Make Believe), victor last year in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) and who comes off a return to success at Chantilly.

The meeting will also offer two other interesting G2 contests. In the Hardwicke Stakes (2400 m), the attention will be focused on Kalpana (Study of Man), one of the best European stayers, winner of her two most recent performances, including the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1). Among her rivals appears Ethical Diamond(Awtaad), remembered for his resounding triumph in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) disputed last year at Del Mar.

The opening of the card will arrive with the Norfolk Stakes (G2), reserved for 2-year-olds over 1000 meters. There, Aidan O'Brien will look to continue expanding his harvest with Carry The Flag (No Nay Never), recent runner-up to Great Barrier Reef (No Nay Never), who subsequently confirmed the strength of that formline by prevailing in the Coventry Stakes (G2) during this very week. The United States will also have representation thanks to the always-dangerous Wesley Ward, who will present the fillies Ez Tina (Golden Pal) and Fanshell Beach (Corniche) in an event that usually serves as a launching pad for future speed stars.

With the spectacular triumph of Scandinavia (Justify) in the Gold Cup (G1) still fresh in memory and with Aidan O'Brien reaching the historic milestone of 100 victories at Royal Ascot, the curtain will fall this Saturday on a memorable edition of the festival. And everything indicates that the final act will have a distinctly international flavor.