The first race on the final day of Royal Ascot’s so far thrilling 2026 season could certainly be considered the co-feature Saturday, and that’s the $231,595 (£175,000) Norfolk Stakes (G2), the first major 2-year-old event on the European racing calendar.
It’s also a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” event with the winner earning a spot in the starting gate for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland in October.
First run in 1843 as the New Stakes, it was one of the early juvenile races at Ascot. It was renamed the Norfolk Stakes in 1973 to honor the 16th Duke of Norfolk, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s representative at Ascot from 1945-72.
The race had long been a key event for speedy juveniles on day three of the prestigious Royal Ascot meet, but was moved to the closing-day card. It held Group 3 status before being promoted to Group 2 in 2006. Since 2018, it has served as a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint qualifier, boosting international—and American—interest.
Distances and conditions have evolved, but it has stuck at this 5-furlong sprint distance for several years. It has produced some notable upsets, including longshot winners, and remains a showcase for emerging sprint talent.
The most successful jockey in the race’s history is Lester Piggott with nine wins from 1961–1992, including Abermaid (1961), Tin King (1965), Falcon (1966), Swing Easy (1970), Faliraki (1975), Emboss (1977), Precocious (1983), Magic Mirror (1984), and Niche (1992).
Leading trainers include several with four wins, including Mathew Dawson, James Ryan, John Porter, Atty Persse, and Aidan O’Brien, who has won with Johannesburg (2001), Waterloo Bridge (2015), Sioux Nation (2017), and Charles Darwin (2025).
Other notable winners include Valiant Force (2023), who stunned the crowd at 150-1; multiple Group 1 winner Perfect Power; the Wesley Ward-trained filly Shang Shang Shang; fellow Ward trainee and now popular sire No Nay Never; and Group 1 winner Reckless Abandon.
Carry The Flag, trained by O’Brien, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. A son of the 2013 winner No Nay Never has shown high promise with strong early-season form, including second in a Group 3 at the Curragh last out.
Orthodox and Flight Signal are two maiden winners considered the main dangers for a win, both of whom have generated significant buzz heading into this race. Ward will saddle Ez Tina, a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner Golden Pal, who was second in this race in 2020, off a debut win at Woodbine last month.
The Norfolk post time is 9:30 a.m. ET.
Royal Ascot’s final day feature is the $1.25 million Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (GI) for 4-year-olds and up.
The 6-furlong sprint was first run in 1868 as the All-Aged Stakes and renamed the Cork and Orrery Stakes in 1926 to honor the 9th Earl of Cork, a former Master of the Buckhounds. It held Group 3 status initially after the grading system began in 1971, was promoted to Group 2 in 1998, and became a Group 1 in 2002.
To mark the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, it was renamed the Golden Jubilee Stakes. It became the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012 and the Platinum Jubilee Stakes in 2022. Following the Queen’s death, it received its current name — the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Prince Charlie captured this event three times (1872–1874). No surprise that Lester Piggott remains the leading jockey with nine wins. The leading trainer is still Vincent O’Brien with five wins.
Last year, Lazzat gave France a victory. In 2023 and 2024, Khaadem was a back-to-back winner, including an 80-1 upset in 2023. Other significant winners include Naval Crown, Dream of Dreams, Hello Youmzain, Blue Point, Undrafted, Lethal Force, Slade Power, Starspangledbanner, Choisir, Danehill, and Royal Applause.
In 2012, the legendary Australian champion mare Black Caviar journeyed 11,000 miles in a specially designed compression suit to win the event before being crowned Europe’s champion sprinter.
Australia-bred Joliestar is the 2-1 favorite, and the 5-year-old mare by Zoustar already owns five Group 1 wins, including two of her last three wins at Randwick. She’s a proven top-level sprinter with speed and versatility, aiming to stamp herself as a champion in both hemispheres on her international debut. Just like Black Caviar did 14 years ago.
Satono Reve at 3-1 is a Japan-bred 7-year-old who finished a strong second in this race last year. A multiple Group 1 winner, he arrives off a solid second in a Hong Kong Group 1 and knows the track and trip well.
Lake Forest is the highest-rated local runner who brings strong form with a recent win in a listed stakes. He was runner-up in the 2024 Commonwealth Cup (G1) here and looks well-suited.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
