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Royal Ascot: guide to Wathnan Racing's big hopes
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 14 Jun 2026
Since bursting onto the scene with Gold Cup victory in 2023, winners for Wathnan Racing are as common place as top hats and tails and fascinators at Royal Ascot.
It was wins for Courage Mon Ami and Gregory that gave the Emir of Qatar’s racing entity a dream start to the ownership experience at the Berkshire track’s showpiece occasion and four more would follow in 2024 before that was eclipsed with a fabulous five-timer 12 months ago.
There were doubles on both the opening and final day then as they finished level on winners with Coolmore, only missing out on the leading owner prize on countback.
Courage Mon Ami won the Gold Cup for Wathnan in 2023 (John Walton/PA)
There are some familiar faces and exciting newcomers on the team sheet this time around, but the mission statement remains the same as Wathnan’s class of 2026 step into the red-hot pressure cooker of the summer’s marquee meeting.
“There’s obviously a few nerves and jitters ahead of what is always a big week but I think we’ve got a good team,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.
“I hope we’re improving the team every year and it’s amazing how few big days a horse will give you and we’ve got some horses who have been in the team a long time and some that are new to the team and it’s a blend of both and I think you need that at the meeting to be successful.”
Night Raider
Night Raider (right) is seen as one of Wathnan’s key players (David Davies/PA)
It was Lazzat who provided the owners with Group One success at the meeting 12 months ago, but with the French raider absent through injury this time around it could be left to another leading sprinter, Karl Burke’s Night Raider, to captain this year’s Wathnan contenders for the feature events.
Unbeaten in two this term, he showed he is far from a “one-trick pony” when winning the Temple Stakes at Haydock and while the connections were forced to wait for the final Group One of the week to strike last year, Night Raider could help them make an early impression this time around.
“I’ve always been a massive fan of his and I think he’s taken his form to a new level this year and so far has done nothing wrong,” said Brown.
“He’s won twice and he was very impressive at Newmarket on his return, but it went wrong for him at Haydock and he still managed to win well and for me he would be our number one chance of having a Group One winner.
“I think the horse enjoys leading but if the pace is there, then James (Doyle) can make a decision and he’s shown now he’s not a one-trick pony.”
Damysus
Damysus will be on a recovery mission (Mike Egerton/PA)
Before Night Raider goes to post for the King Charles III Stakes, a striking son of Frankel, Damysus, will represent Wathnan in the curtain-raising Queen Anne Stakes seeking to recreate the form that saw him well fancied for the Lockinge last month.
“Things are going to have to be different for him and he’s going to have to improve again but I think the stiff mile at Ascot will suit him better than the mile at Newbury,” continued Brown.
“James felt he just wasn’t himself at Newbury and we just hope to see a better version of him at Ascot.”
The Prettiest Star
The Prettiest Star is one of the new signings (Joe Giddens/PA)
As is proving an annual tradition, Wathnan have once again headed out and loaded up their shopping baskets with a raft of new purchases ahead of the Royal meeting.
The pick of those could prove to be Ed Walker’s 1000 Guineas fourth The Prettiest Star who will have the option of the Group One Coronation Stakes or Jersey Stakes next week.
Brown said: “We’re still needing to decide where to go with The Prettiest Star and James has ridden her work recently and was very taken by her. We’ve got a very nice filly on our hands.
Lost Boys
He went on: “Another of our new signings, Lost Boys obviously has very good form in the book and won the London Gold Cup having found trouble late on but still found a way which is a trait I always like.
“He’s progressive and lightly raced and has a lot going for him. You’ll need a lot of luck in the Golden Gates but he looks nicely weighted to go and hopefully run a big race.”
Richard Brown hugs James Doyle (David Davies/PA)
Ruler’s Pride, Wild Blossom and Light Of Dawn
Wathnan tend to play a key role in the week’s juvenile events, winning the Norfolk, Queen Mary and Chesham Stakes in the last two years.
Two of those three winners have been trained by Karl Burke, who could prove central to the owners fortunes once again, with the shortest-priced Wathnan horse in the Coventry Stakes (Ruler’s Pride), Queen Mary Stakes (Wild Blossom), and Albany Stakes (Light Of Dawn) all undergoing their preparations at Spigot Lodge.
“Wild Blossom was visually very taking and I think this is the race we have one of our stronger hands as we will also run Alta Regina and Cosmic Mystery,” said Brown.
“I had to give James some horrible instructions the other day ahead of Light Of Dawn’s debut and tell him to try to win as easily as he can – normally when you say that they finish last.
“James gave her a beautiful introduction and I don’t think it was anything more than what she would have done at home really and it was just a good stiff piece of work.
“I think it was extremely impressive as there were three colts in the race that set a good standard and you had to be taken by that. Hopefully we get some luck once again.”
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