Royal Ascot 2026: Daryz Heads Star-Studded Prince of Wales's Stakes

The Royal Ascot Spotlight: Daryz Takes Center Stage

Day two of Royal Ascot 2026 promises an exciting lineup of races, headlined by France's racing superstar Daryz in the Group One Prince of Wales's Stakes at 4.20pm. The five-year-old, fresh off the footballers' impressive showing against Senegal yesterday, will attempt to make his mark at the prestigious royal racecourse.

The Prince of Wales's Stakes: A Clash of Champions

The feature event is the only Group One on today's card after the meeting kicked off with three in the first four races on Tuesday, but it is perhaps the week's most eagerly-awaited race. Daryz will face Ombudsman, who is bidding to follow up his win in this race last year, and two more live contenders at each-way prices in Minnie Hauk, the Arc runner-up, and Almaqam, a Group One winner in Ireland last time out.

Historic Significance: Arc Winners at Ascot

Arc winners are hardly an unfamiliar sight at Ascot, but they tend to run in the King George, in July, rather than at the Royal meeting. Daryz is the first reigning Arc winner to run at this meeting since Treve finished third in the Prince of Wales's Stakes in 2014, adding an extra layer of historical significance to today's race.

A Varied Day of Racing

The second day's card offers a diverse range of competitions. The five-furlong Queen Mary for juvenile fillies at 2.30 is swiftly followed by the Queen's Vase, over a mile-and-three-quarters, where Point Of Law, the second royal runner of the week, will set off at around 8-1. The main handicap on the card offers the unmissable sight of a 30-runner field hammering down the straight mile in pursuit of the Royal Hunt Cup.

Track Conditions and Race Schedule

It is cloudy but dry at the track and the going is good-to-firm on both the round and straight tracks, after 5mm of water was applied overnight. The day concludes with the Windsor Castle Stakes, providing a fitting end to another day of world-class racing at Royal Ascot.