Forever Young adds significant spice to Prince of Wales’s Stakes entries

Forever Young was a surprise name among a star-studded list of 24 entries for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic and dual Saudi Cup hero is up there with the best dirt horses in the world but has yet to be tested on turf.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi is now a regular presence on the world stage with victories in Dubai, America, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, and while he is still waiting for his first win in the UK he did saddle Shin Emperor to finish a close third in the 2024 Irish Champion Stakes.

Yahagi said: “I have been thinking – and saying in public – that I should send Forever Young to a turf race in the future. His owner Susumu Fujita shares this feeling and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes is one of the turf race options I should consider.

“It is very prestigious for a trainer to have a runner at Royal Ascot, while I think it is very attractive idea to send Forever Young for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, although he has had an easy time since he returned from Middle East.”

Yahagi has entered the aforementioned Shin Emperor, while T O Password could run for Daisuke Takayanagi.

“Although T O Password has had all of his starts on dirt, I have an impression from his morning track work that he should act as well on turf. I think the time has come to try a turf race, which is why I entered him for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes,” said Takayanagi.

“Royal Ascot is a wonderful race meeting, while Ascot is a fantastic racecourse, both of which have a long history. It has been one of my dreams to have a runner there and owner Tomoya Ozasa (owner) has the same feeling as me.”

Francis-Henri Graffard has entered both Calandagan and Daryz, with the latter favourite to run at this stage following his brilliant comeback win at the weekend.

Ombudsman is the likely favourite for the home team along with Kalpana, while Aidan O’Brien can choose between last year’s Oaks and Derby winners Minnie Hauk and Lambourn among others.

In the Queen Anne Stakes on the Tuesday the whole field from Sandown’s Group Two on Friday could meet again, having been won in such good style by Charlie Appleby’s Opera Ballo.

Appleby could also run Notable Speech with Zeus Olympios and Field Of Gold likely contenders.

The two Group One sprints have a very international look to them. Five-time Group One winner Joliestar heads the Australian contingent in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs.

Henry Plumptre, CEO of Cambridge Stud, owners of the mare, said: “Joliestar returned to Chris Waller Racing last Wednesday, following a two-week break at Hermitage Farm just outside Sydney. She had a week of paddock rest, then a week of steady cantering work up their hill, before finishing with a half-pace gallop.

“While Joliestar won the Thousand Guineas over a mile, she is probably at her best around six or seven furlongs. Her current preparation in Sydney would be her best form to date and, barring a travel issue, she should arrive in the UK in great order to tackle the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

“It is always a challenge to fly a horse halfway around the world for a race, but international travel is very advanced now. We are hoping all goes well and she arrives safely at Charlie Hills’ yard in Lambourn on June 4. We are all looking forward to it immensely.”

With challengers from Japan (Satono Reve and Lugal), France (Lazzat), more from Australia and even Denmark (Great Wish) no race at Ascot can have had a more international feel.

The last two winners of the King Charles III Stakes are entered again in Asfoora and American Affair, another race with a strong international entry with several from Australia, Japan and France.

They include Lady Of Camelot from the yard of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Waterhouse said: “Lady Of Camelot had an exhibition gallop at Randwick on Saturday. She has since travelled north to Queensland, where she is set to resume in the Group Two Victory Stakes over 1,200 metres (six furlongs) at Eagle Farm on May 2. Her performance there, and in her second-up run, will dictate whether or not she heads overseas.”