The first day of Royal Ascot 2026 was a thrilling rollercoaster ride for spectators, with drama unfolding on every corner of the track. In the opening stayers' handicap, Daquiri Bay staged an electrifying finish to snatch victory from Gamrai's grasp by a nose, much to the delight of trainer Alan King and his team. Meanwhile, bookies were left reeling as Valiancy failed to deliver on its touted promise for Wathnan Racing and William Haggas, succumbing to a more seasoned field.
The Listed contest that followed was an absolute barnburner, with Map Of Stars mounting a stunning late charge to outpace Wimbledon Hawkeye in the final furlongs. Despite being sent back down the class ladder after its Group One Prince of Wales's Stakes fourth-placer finish last summer, Map Of Stars proved it still has what it takes at this level. The competitive field featured several high-calibre horses, including Haatem and Nahraan, who was widely fancied by punters but ultimately came up short.
The standout disappointment of the day, however, belonged to Reaching High – the royal runner that failed to live up to expectations in its highly anticipated return. Sent off as strong favourite for the King and Queen's Willie Mullins-trained stable after a dodgy run 12 months prior, it instead found itself under pressure turning for home and finished a dismal last, leaving many aghast.
But amidst Reaching High's woes, Joseph O'Brien stole the show with a masterclass performance. The young trainer proved his mettle by guiding Kizlyar to victory in its race, and then following up with an equally impressive win for Defiantly – a remarkable one-two finish that showcased his skills as a flat racing maestro.
The consequences of Reaching High's uncharacteristic performance will be felt throughout the meeting. Will it prompt a re-evaluation of punting strategies? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this first day has set the bar high for what promises to be an action-packed week at Royal Ascot.