Entries for 12 races-including all eight Group 1s-across the five days of Royal Ascot from June 15 to 19 were revealed on Wednesday, with a strong contingent of eight standing their ground from America.
Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Aunt Pearl (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was sourced at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by American owners Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Peter Deutsch, Michael Kisber and The Elkstone Group, makes her seasonal debut in Friday's GII Edgewood S. at Churchill Downs and, if all goes well there, could be on target for the G1 Coronation S. at the Royal meeting.
“She is doing great at the moment,” said Liz Crow, who selected Aunt Pearl as a yearling and manages the racing partnership. “She has been training really well and we are excited to see her back out. Hopefully, she comes back and wins well, and then we will be able to move forward with the plan of running at Royal Ascot.”
Last year's G2 Queen Mary S. and G1 Prix Morny winner Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a graduate of the same sale as Aunt Pearl when likewise bought by American owners in Stonestreet Stables, finished fourth behind Aunt Pearl at the Breeders' Cup and is targeting the G1 Commonwealth Cup. She could be joined in the Commonwealth Cup by stablemate Illegal Smile (Ire) (Camacho {GB}), while Ward's Bound For Nowhere (The Factor) is headed for the G1 Diamond Jubilee S., and Maven (American Pharoah) the G1 King's Stand S. Last week's Keeneland maiden winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Ruthin (GB) (Ribchester {GB}) could aim to give her trainer back-to-back wins in the Queen Mary.
“Campanelle did us proud last year and the owners are really excited about bringing her back for the Commonwealth Cup,” said Ward. “I have had my eye on this for some time as I think the stiff six furlongs on the straight course will suit her really well. We are looking to give her a prep race about a month out from Ascot, although where that will be I am not sure yet.”
Irish-born, American-based trainer Brendan Walsh has entered his G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Extravagant Kid (Kiss The Kid) in both the King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee.
“Everything has been good with Extravagant Kid and Royal Ascot is the target if all goes well between now and then,” Walsh said. “It was a proper performance from the horse in Dubai. We were lucky enough to win the UAE Derby a couple of years ago and to go back and win another big race was fantastic. It is hard to describe how good it is to have horses capable of competing at these big international meetings.
“Extravagant Kid has entries in the King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee. Both races have their appeal and it made sense to enter for both as he is quite versatile. We will see how each race is shaping and make our minds up nearer the time. I would not write off him running in both just yet, although I would say it is unlikely.
“Although this will be my first runner at the meeting, I have been to Ascot many times. When I worked for Mark Wallace, we came very close to winning the King's Stand with a horse called Benbaun, who was beaten in a head bob by Takeover Target. It will be lovely to get back over there, all being well.”
The American shippers will be met with a typically strong home team that includes defending winners Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Battleground (War Front) as well as champion Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and globetrotting Group 1 winner Addeybb (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).
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