Daryz and Ombudsman, a Clash of Champions to Illuminate Day Two of Royal Ascot

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero will seek redemption in England against the defending champion of the Prince of Wales's Stakes, in one of the most anticipated races of the entire week

Daryz winning the Arc / FRANCE-GALOP

BERKSHIRE, England (Special for Turf Diario).– Following a spectacular opening day highlighted by Bow Echo's (Night of Thunder) heroic triumph in the St James's Palace Stakes (G1) and several memorable finishes, Royal Ascot will offer another top-tier menu this Wednesday, headlined by a clash that could well carry the flavor of a world championship.

The Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1), contested over 2,000 meters for 4-year-olds and up, will bring together two of the finest horses on the planet: Daryz, hero of the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), and Ombudsman, winner of this very race last season and one of Godolphin's marquee stars.

It will also serve as an important test for Daryz, who will look to prove that his only discrete performance over the last two years was merely a racing mishap.

Undefeated in 2026, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained son of Sea The Stars arrives on the back of victories in the Prix Ganay (G1) and the Prix Aga Khan IV (G1), establishing himself as one of Europe's top stayers and middle-distance horses. However, his failure in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York still lingers in memory—the sole recent blemish on a practically flawless campaign.

The team at Aga Khan Studs believes that performance is by no means a reflection of the horse today: "He has done everything right this year, and we feel he is a completely different horse compared to the one that traveled to England last season," explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan family's French operation. "He has matured immensely and is a more complete horse today. That race at York had a very tactical development, and he ended up trapped in an uncomfortable situation. This time, we expect to see his true self."

Standing in his way will be a rival of massive stature. Ombudsman brings equally impressive credentials, having captured the Dubai Turf (G1) at Meydan and returned to England with a preparatory victory in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3).

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Night Of Thunder will attempt to defend the crown he earned right here twelve months ago.

"We know we are facing a very strong renewal, especially with the presence of Daryz, but Ombudsman has progressed well since Sandown and arrives in excellent order," commented Thady Gosden.

The race will also feature other heavyweights. Almaqam (Lope de Vega), recent winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) in Ireland, will look to confirm his status among the European elite, while the outstanding See The Fire (Sea the Stars), the lone standout filly in the field, will attempt to replicate or improve upon her third-place finish in the previous edition following an excellent start to her season.

On paper, however, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on the clash between Daryz and Ombudsman, two horses ranked among the world's best, who promise to star in one of the most important races of the entire 2026 Royal Ascot meeting.

Another prominent Group 2 event on the card will be the Queen's Vase, a traditional test of stamina for 3-year-olds over a demanding distance. The leading roles seem shared between the Irish challenger Limestone (New Bay), trained by Joseph O'Brien and coming off a first Black-Type victory in the Yeats Stakes (L) at Navan, and the powerful Ballydoyle squad, looking for a ninth victory in the event with Port Of Spain (St Mark's Basilica).

Among the local contenders are Galiyan (Galiway), a winner at Chester for Andrew Balding; Godolphin's representative Del Maro (Camelot); and Point Of Law (Frankel), defending the colors of His Majesty King Charles III.

The Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) once again features a strong presence from the Gosden stable, which has captured this race on six occasions since its introduction to the program in 2004.

Their main weapon will be Friendly Soul (Kingman), winner of the 2025 Prix de l'Opéra (G1) at ParisLongchamp, who returns following an unfortunate showing at Haydock, where she lost all chance after taking a bad step while launching a powerful bid.

Among her most dangerous rivals are Blue Bolt (Blue Point), runner-up in the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1); France's Godspeed (Hello Youmzain); and the ascending Catalina Delcarpio (Lope de Vega), who already knows the Ascot venue after finishing third in last year's Ribblesdale Stakes (G2).

As is the case every year, juvenile speed will take center stage with the Queen Mary Stakes (G2), one of the favorite events for American specialists.

The experienced Wesley Ward, a four-time winner of this race with twelve total victories at Royal Ascot, will send out Ruiva (Munnings) and Shining Moment (Golden Pal), both winners at Churchill Downs.

The North American contingent will also include Celtic Dispute (Leinster) and More Champagne (Golden Pal), the latter boasting a prior victory over Shining Moment at Keeneland.

Ballydoyle will pin its hopes on Victorious (Wootton Bassett), recent winner of the Naas Fillies Sprint Stakes (G3), while the British defense will be led by the impressive Wild Blossom (Mehmas), who debuted with a ten-length victory at Carlisle, and Senorita Bonita (Starspangledbanner), trained by Simon and Ed Crisford.

With a duel of champions in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and several highly attractive events surrounding it, Royal Ascot is set to deliver another high-voltage day of racing, maintaining the extraordinary standard that has made this festival the ultimate global reference for turf racing.