Almeraq, a colt trained by William Haggas, secured a dramatic victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday, edging out Japan's best sprinter Satono Reve by a nose. The win denied Japan its first ever triumph at the prestigious meeting for the second consecutive year.
Race Details
Joliestar, one of Australia's top six-furlong performers, led narrowly entering the final furlong. Ryan Moore on Satono Reve then moved ahead, only to be caught by a late surge from Tom Marquand aboard Almeraq. Stolen Kiss finished fourth, with the first four horses separated by less than half a length.
Almeraq's Comeback
Almeraq was racing for only the second time since an injury sustained in a fall at York in September 2025. That incident also sidelined his regular rider, Jim Crowley, who has been unable to race since. Haggas said: "The horse took a long time to come back, and it has been gently, gently this spring. He won nicely at Salisbury, but this is a completely different jump in class and he has managed to cope with it. He is a beautiful horse, we have always loved him, and I think he will get better because he is pretty lightly-raced."
Jockey Reactions
Marquand expressed his emotions after the race: "I am not just saying this for effect, but my first thought when I thought I had won was for Jim. This horse and he both took horror falls at the back end of last year. Jim is fighting for his career, he should be aboard this horse, it is his ride."
Leading Jockey and Trainer
Ryan Moore ended the meeting as the leading jockey with seven wins, including the final race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, on Illinois. He now needs one more winner to reach a century at Royal Ascot. Aidan O'Brien secured the trainer's prize for the 14th time, fending off his son Joseph.
