Royal Ascot 2021: the juveniles to watch

Royal Ascot gets underway this week, and flat racing’s most prestigious meeting kicks off with no fewer than three Group 1 races on its opening day. All eyes will be on the third day of the meeting, which is when the prestigious and iconic Ascot Gold Cup takes place. Throughout the course of the five-day meeting, there are six races taking place, which are only open to two-year-olds. If you’re looking for one to watch for the rest of the season, and beyond, read on as we highlight some of the names to look for on the best horse racing betting sites.

Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

The meeting’s opening juvenile race is often a good indicator for the following year’s classics, with the likes of 2012 winner Dawn Approach and 2016’s victor Caravaggio going on to record further victories.

However, this year, all eyes are on Kaufymaker, the filly trained by American, Wesley Ward. The filly made her racing debut in April, winning the Maiden Special Weight at Keeneland, and while that was raced on dirt, Ward believes she has thrived on grass in the lead-up to Royal Ascot. The trainer is no stranger to the meeting – with 11 winners to his name already.

Aidan O’Brien has nine winners in the Coventry Stakes, and will be pinning his hopes on The Acropolis, while Masseto, trained by his son, Donnacha, are all amongst the market leaders.

Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)

The Queen Mary is a race only open to fillies, and it’s another where Ward has an excellent record. Four wins since 2009 and he will be looking to add to that this year. Jockey Frankie Dettori has won the last two editions of the race, and also holds a reasonable record when riding for Ward.

In terms of the ones to watch, it could well prove to be a battle of Ward versus O’Brien again. The leading favourite is Twilight Gleaming, and the two-year filly has had a decent season so far, placing on her debut, when beaten by a length, and winning most recently at Belmont Park. O’Brien’s best chance is Yet.

Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

The Norfolk Stakes is often a difficult one to call – in the last decade, none of the favourites have won it, making it ideal for outsiders. The Group 2 race is run over a distance of five furlongs and proves to be a thrilling encounter, not least, in the last three editions, which have been won by the narrowest of margins.

Ward and O’Brien again have fared well in the Norfolk Stakes – both trainers with four wins each. The duo lead the charge when it comes to the ones to watch. Lucci (Ward) won on his juvenile debut, and it looks as though jockey John Velazquez will be in the saddle again, at Ascot. Cadamosto (O’Brien) also has a 100% winning record, having been successful at Dundalk, back in April.

Albany Stakes (Group 3)

The Albany Stakes is strictly limited to fillies, and looks set to be the best chance of success for British trainers. In fact, home trainers have won eight of the previous 10 runnings, and among the favourites are Simon & Ed Crisford, Ralph Beckett and George Boughey.

The latter has been tipped as one to watch at Royal Ascot, and the 29-year-old, now in his third season as a trainer, has almost doubled his number of winners from last year, this season already. He has four runners in the Albany Stakes, with the picks of bunch including Cachet and Oscula (both at 8/1).