The Times

18 June 2026

Absolutely convincing. Ombudsman trounced last year’s Oaks winner Minnie Hauk and the Arc hero Daryz to win the Prince Of Wales Stakes for the second year and confirm himself as the best in the world over this 1mile and a quarter distance.

These were not young hopefuls pitching for the big time. These were already top line performers vying for their place at the very height of the table.  5 year old Ombudsman has run twelve times, won nine and been second in the other three. He is quite chunky and not as tall or rangy as either Daryz or the big mare Minnie Hauk but looked magnificently muscled as he cantered down to the start with his short purposeful stride.

In March he won the £2 million Dubai Turf when in his trainer’s words “only 90%”. Three weeks ago he won the Brigadier Gerard narrowly but decisively to be ready for this Ascot peak, and as Minnie Hauk and Daryz came past you realised that favourite status would not be easily earned. Francis Graffard, Daryz much respected trainer, insisted that his colt’s two victories this season made him an even better horse than the three year old who ended the campaign with a length defeat of Minnie Hauk in the Arc and whose only disappointment was a poor show against Ombudsman at York last August.

Minnie Hauk had disappointed last time behind Almaqam who was another rival yesterday, but Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore were making optimistic noises and, as ever,  there was a pacemaker to add a gallop and, as on Tuesday, maybe controversy to the mix. Ombudsman had a leader too and very soon we had the bizarre sight of Mississipi River and Devil’s Advocate blitzing many lengths ahead of the six strong pursuers headed by Minnie Hauk and with Ombudsman right at the back.

Going to turn  the pacemakers were still ludicrously far ahead,  but into the straight first Mississipi River then Devil’s Advocate were treading in treacle and the big three swept up. Last year William Buick had found himself trapped in traffic but now he was on the outside and once battle was joined it was hardly a contest. He was on top at the furlong pole and by the post he had 4 lengths over Minnie Hauk who took almost a couple of lengths out of Daryz in the final stages.

The French colt was a little disappointing. The ground would be firmer than he usually races on at home and his trainer said ruefully, “I don’t think this was the Daryz we saw in the spring.” But the overwhelming feel was one of satisfaction. The Prince Of Wales Stakes was rightly billed as the race of the meeting and the clock confirmed it, Ombudsman averaging the last two furlongs faster than any horse over any trip during the day. The Prince himself was here to present the trophy along side the Princess whose eye-catching yellow dress had set fashionistas wowing in admiration. This was a championship show.

Connections certainly didn’t have any doubt. “This horse has a phenomenal turn of foot and great acceleration for a mile and a quarter horse”, said John Gosden who trains the Godolphin owned five year old with his son Thady. “He just showed that class and it was quite something to come away from the field like that. The Juddmonte International would be a major target – he likes York.”

William Buick has ridden some great horses in a stellar career but was visibly moved as he rode back. “This horse is just a privilege and a joy to ride and deal with” he said with the thrill shining deep in his face. “What he did there was mind blowing. His turn of foot is that of a miler but he stays ten furlongs. 

“John and Thady had him in great shape and congratulations to the whole team. This is what it’s all about.”

On this show at this amazing place we had seen  a “World’s Best” – it’s quite a title.