Opera Ballo and Ombudsman carry Dubai form to Royal Ascot

Opera Ballo, winner of the G1 Jebel Hatta on ‘Fashion Friday’ in January at Meydan Racecourse, lines up in Tuesday’s G1 Queen Anne Stakes – the opening race of the five-day meeting. His trainer, Charlie Appleby, also runs First Conquest, third behind Opera Ballo in the G2 Al Rashidiya, and multiple G1 winner Notable Speech, the choice of jockey William Buick.

“The straight mile will be more of a challenge for Opera Ballo compared to Sandown and Meydan, although he has done very well mentally and physically since his last start,” said Appleby. “He was very impressive when making the running at Sandown, and it will be up to Billy (Loughnane, jockey) on the day to see what sort of horse he has underneath him, but hopefully he can take a lead this time.”

Appleby sends out another Meydan runner in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes when Jumeirah 2000 Guineas third Talk Of New York takes a step up in grade, taking on two Guineas winners in Bow Echo and Gstaad.

“We will see if Talk Of New York can rise to the occasion, but we have a lot of confidence in the horse and are looking forward to it,” added the trainer.

Later, Appleby saddles dual Meydan winner Arabian Light in the Listed Wolferton Stakes, where he will face fellow Carnival graduates Galen and Dividend.

Tuesday’s fastest G1, the King Charles III Stakes over 1000metres, sees G2 Blue Point Sprint winner Cover Up line up, as do fellow Meydan visitors Rayevka, Frost At Dawn, Monteille, Starlust and Jakajaro.

Of Aga Khan Studs’ Rayevka, sixth in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at the Dubai World Cup meeting, Racing Manager Nemone Routh said: “I think she’s more of a five-furlong [1000m] filly and that’s what she showed us in Dubai. They need to go flat out for her to relax and turn her foot.”

Wednesday’s star turn is Ombudsman, who will be the hot favourite in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The three-time G1 winner faces seven rivals in the 2000metre race, which he won 12 months ago.

The Royal Hunt Cup is one of the week’s most prestigious handicaps and Holloway Boy, third in the G2 Singspiel Stakes at Meydan in February, runs here, as do fellow Meydan visitors Archivist, No Retreat, War Socks and Erzindjan.

Thursday’s feature is the G1 Gold Cup, over two and a half miles, which stars 2025 G2 Dubai Gold Cup winner Dubai Future, third in this race last year, as well as this year’s Dubai Gold Cup runner-up Caballo De Mar.

Saturday’s action is extremely strong with Lugal, runner-up in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March, lining up in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for Japanese trainer Haruki Sugiyama. Fellow Meydan runners Quinault and Regional are also among the entries. The G2 Hardwicke Stakes, also on Saturday, has attracted G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up West Wind Blows as well as Giavellotto and Ethical Diamond, third and fifth in the same race.

“Dubai has become a true crossroads of international racing, bringing together the best horses, trainers and owners from around the world,” commented Erwan Charpy, Head of Department, Racing Operations & International Relations, for Dubai Racing Club. “To see many of those Dubai performers now lining up at Royal Ascot highlights the natural synergy between two of the sport’s greatest global stages.”

UAE Equestrian Federation reviews 2026–2031 Strategy: The Board of Directors of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, chaired by Major General Dr Ahmed Naser Al Raisi, reviewed the Federation’s 2026-2031 Strategy, statutes and future plans during its third meeting, held in Dubai.

The meeting also reviewed the Federation’s efforts to enhance its services, accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence into services provided to stakeholders. Discussions covered the adoption of smart solutions to improve service quality and the continued expansion of digital services.

Al Raisi expressed appreciation for the UAE leadership’s continued support for equestrian sport, noting that the achievements recorded in recent years reflect sustained efforts to advance the sport in line with the highest international standards.