Final Day at Royal Ascot: Norfolk Stakes Offers Breeders’ Cup Berth for 2-Year-Olds

The opening race on Saturday’s card at Royal Ascot culminates the thoroughoroughly thrilling 2026 season with the $231,595 (£175,000) Norfolk Stakes (G2), the first major 2-year-old event on the European racing calendar. The contest also serves as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” qualifier, with the winner securing a spot in the starting gate for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland this October.

Norfolk Stakes History Runs Deep

First run in 1843 as the New Stakes, it was among the early juvenile races at Ascot. 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 long held Group 3 status before earning Group 2 promotion in 2006. Since 2018, it has functioned as a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint qualifier, enhancing international and American interest.

Though distances and conditions have evolved, the race has maintained its traditional 5-furlong sprint distance in recent years. Historically, it has produced unexpected winners, including longshots who’ve captured the prize, and remains a showcase for emerging sprint talent among juveniles.

Lester Piggott holds the record as the most successful jockey in the race’s history, with nine victories from 1961-1992. His quartet of wins came aboard Abermaid (1961), Tin King (1965), Falcon (1966), Swing Easy (1970), Faliraki (1975), Emboss (1977), Precocious (1983), Magic Mirror (1984), and Niche (1992).

Leading trainers with four wins each include Mathew Dawson, James Ryan, John Porter, and Atty Persse. Aidan O’Brien has also secured four victories, including Johannesburg (2001), Waterloo Bridge (2015), Sioux Nation (2017), and Charles Darwin (2025).

Other memorable winners include Valiant Force (2023), who paid a massive 150-1 for the upset victory; multiple Group 1 winner Perfect Power; the Wesley Ward-trained filly Shang Shang Shang; fellow Ward trainee and now prominent sire No Nay Never; and Group 1 winner Reckless Abandon.

Norfolk Stakes Odds: Carry The Flag the Betting Favorite

Carry The Flag, trained by O’Brien, enters as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. A son of 2013 Norfolk Stakes winner No Nay Never, he has demonstrated exceptional early-season form with a promising second-place finish in a Group 3 at the Curragh most recently.

Orthodox and Flight Signal represent the main threats, both having generated considerable buzz with maiden victories. Wesley Ward’s Ez Tina, a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner Golden Pal, carries additional intrigue after finishing second in this very race in 2020 and recently winning her debut at Woodbine.

The Norfolk Stakes is scheduled to run at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Closes Meet

Royal Ascot’s final day features the $1.25 million Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (GI) for older horses at 6 furlongs.

First run in 1868 as the All-Aged Stakes, it was renamed the Cork and Orrery Stakes in 1926 to honor the 9th Earl of Cork, former Master of the Buckhounds. Initially graded at Group 3 when the system began in 1971, it achieved Group 1 status in 2002.

The historic race has undergone several name changes: Golden Jubilee Stakes in 2002 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012, Platinum Jubilee Stakes in 2022, and finally the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes following the late queen’s passing.

Prince Charlie won this event three times from 1872-1874, while Lester Piggott and Vincent O’Brien hold the records for most wins by jockey and trainer respectively, each with nine and five victories.

Recent standout winners include Lazzat (France, 2024), Khaadem (back-to-back winner in 2023-24, including an 80-1 surprise in 2023), as well as Naval Crown, Dream of Dreams, Hello Youmzain, Blue Point, Undrafted, Lethal Force, Slade Power, Starspangledbanner, Choisir, Danehill, and Royal Applause.

In 2012, legendary Australian mare Black Caviar traveled 11,000 miles for a specially designed compression suit to claim victory here before being crowned Europe’s champion sprinter.

Queen Elizabeth II Odds: Australia’s Joliestar 2-1 Favorite

Australia’s Joliestar enters as the 2-1 favorite for the Jubilee Stakes. The 5-year-old Zoustar progeny already boasts five Group 1 victories, including two of her last three starts at Randwick, making her a proven top-level sprinter with versatility across distances.

Satono Reve commands 3-1 odds as a Japanese-bred 7-year-old who finished second in this very race last year. A multiple Group 1 winner, he arrives off a strong second in a Hong Kong Group 1 event and familiar with both the track and trip.

Lake Forest represents the highest-rated local contender, bringing strong form including a recent stakes victory and runner-up finish in the 2024 Commonwealth Cup (G1) here.

The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is the third race on Saturday with a post time of 10:40 a.m. ET.

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.

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