Royal Ascot, horse racing’s most prestigious festival, burst into life on Tuesday with a thrilling opening day at the historic Berkshire racecourse, and it was Dubai-owned Bow Echo who stole the spotlight in one of the meeting’s marquee contests.
For UAE racing enthusiasts, the opening day delivered plenty of excitement as several horses carrying Dubai connections featured prominently on the seven-race card.
The headline act was Bow Echo, who upheld his unbeaten record with a gutsy victory in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes, one of three top-level races run exclusively for three-year-olds over a mile.
Owned by the family of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, Bow Echo added another prestigious chapter to his remarkable racing legacy.
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who passed away last December, was widely regarded as one of the most influential owner-breeders of the modern era, with his colours carried to victory in some of the world’s greatest races, including the Epsom Derby with High Rise in 1998 and Melbourne Cup in 2023 with Without A Fight.
His famous yellow silks decorated with black polka dots were once again carried with distinction as Bow Echo, ridden with confidence by former British amateur champion jockey Billy Loughnane.
The son of Night of Thunder displayed both class and determination to fend off a strong late challenge from Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Gstaad, the mount of multiple champion jockey Ryan Moore, who was recently awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for services to horseracing and British sport.
The St. James’s Palace Stakes began dramatically. After a slightly uneasy start, Bow Echo found himself facing a challenging passage before producing his trademark acceleration in the closing stages on the outside. He surged to the front entering the final furlong and looked set for a comfortable victory before Moore and Gstaad launched a powerful late rally on the rails. The pair flashed past the post in a blur, with Bow Echo prevailing by the narrowest of margins in a photo finish.
Godolphin’s progressive Talk Of New York, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, finished a creditable third in a race that featured many of Europe’s leading three-year-old milers.
Winning jockey Billy Loughnane paid tribute to his mount’s capacity after the race, describing Bow Echo as a horse of exceptional talent and courage.
“It was a very tactical race. I wouldn’t put it down as one of my finest rides, and the horse got me out of trouble today,” said Loughnane, one of the most exciting young riders in the sport.
“He was messy. I didn’t want to go to the fence as I didn’t want to make it hard, and I wanted a smooth run, but I got a horrible passage around the Godolphin horse [Talk Of New York].
“He showed his class. This horse is a superstar, and I’m so lucky to be part of a horse like this. It doesn’t get better than this,” added the youngster.
The victory was particularly significant for Dubai racing. It represented a second consecutive St James’s Palace Stakes success for the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, following Rosallion’s triumph two years earlier and further strengthened the UAE’s long-standing impact at Royal Ascot.
Bow Echo’s success also marked a 13th victory in the race for Dubai-based ownership interests, maintaining a tradition established by some of the UAE’s most prominent racing figures, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, former Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
Earlier in the afternoon, however, Godolphin endured frustration in the opening Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, one of the highlights of the iconic meeting, which was founded by Queen Anne in 171.
Trainer Charlie Appleby saddled three runners in the race, with Notable Speech and Opera Ballo carrying strong hopes. Opera Ballo, who had advertised his credentials with high-class performances in Dubai earlier this year, looked poised to give Godolphin the perfect start to the afternoon when he surged clear under an ambitious ride from Loughnane.
The son of Ghaiyyath appeared to have the race won entering the final furlong, only to be swallowed up late by the fast-finishing Ten Bob Tony, who stormed home to claim a shock victory at long odds. More Thunder, runner-up in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, also finished strongly to grab second, leaving Opera Ballo to settle for third.
Notable Speech, winner of five Group 1 races and one of the meeting’s leading fancies, never threatened to land a blow and finished well down the field. His trainer, Charlie Appleby, thought that the lack of a fast pace compromised his horses’ chances.
With four more days of elite racing still to come and several leading Godolphin contenders yet to run, UAE hopes remain high that Royal Ascot 2026 will provide further memorable moments.
Source: Khaleej Times