Queen Anne Stakes 2026 Tip and Key Information
Our Royal Ascot tipster Henry Gibbs picks More Thunder to win the 2026 Queen Anne Stakes, the Group 1 opener of Royal Ascot week.
The William Haggas-trained five-year-old finished a strong second to favourite Notable Speech in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month and has the late-closing profile that suits Ascot’s stiff straight mile finish. Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) is the market favourite at 2/1, with Opera Ballo (also Charlie Appleby) and last year’s winner Docklands among the chief threats.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Race | Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) |
| Date | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| Time | 14:30 BST |
| Course | Royal Ascot — Straight Mile |
| Distance | 1 mile |
| Prize Money | £750,000 |
| Henry Gibbs’ selection | More Thunder |
| 2025 winner | Docklands (Harry Eustace / Mark Zahra) at 14/1 |
| Best free bets | See our Royal Ascot 2026 free bets section below |
Get the best Queen Anne Stakes odds and free bets →
18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
Queen Anne Stakes 2026 Trends
The Queen Anne Stakes is one of the most form-driven races of the Royal Ascot week. The trends from the last 12 renewals give a clear profile of the type of horse that wins:
- 11 of the last 12 winners had previously won at least twice over 1 mile
- 10 of 12 had previously won at least one Group race
- 10 of 12 had previously won at least four times on the Flat
- 9 of 12 had an Official Rating of 114 or higher
- 6 of 12 had run in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes on their previous outing
The Lockinge trend is the strongest pre-Royal Ascot pointer in the race — exactly half of the last 12 Queen Anne winners came directly out of Newbury’s Lockinge Stakes, which is run four weeks earlier and over the same trip. With Notable Speech, More Thunder and Zeus Olympios all coming out of the 2026 Lockinge (running 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively), the trend strongly suggests one of those three is the most likely winner of this year’s renewal.
The favourite-friendly nature of the race is also worth noting: seven of the last 12 winners were market favourites, returned at odds of 1/6, 2/7, 4/5, 11/10, 11/8, 10/3 and 4/1. That said, last year’s renewal was won by Docklands at 14/1 — the second-longest priced winner of the last decade — so the favourite profile isn’t bulletproof.
Henry Gibbs’ Queen Anne Stakes 2026 Preview
The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes is the opening race of Royal Ascot week, and it’s always a brilliant contest as we witness the best European milers running down the famous straight track of Ascot in their bid for glory.
Notable Speech
The favourite for this year’s renewal is Notable Speech. A winner of five Group 1 races, he was last seen winning in pretty decisive fashion at Newbury in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes. He was heavily punted into 2/1 favourite that day, suggesting connections were confident he’d come forward and he was clearly thriving since his return to action over at Keeneland the month prior.
However, he has underperformed here at the Royal meeting previously, and the stiff finish of Ascot is likely to suit some of his key rivals more than it does him. He has a potent turn of foot, but I get the impression that he is better suited elsewhere on a more speed-favouring mile.
Opera Ballo
Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand as he also trains the current second favourite for the Queen Anne in Opera Ballo. Opera Ballo was last seen winning a competitive Group 2 contest at Sandown by 3 lengths. That is a completely different form line to a lot of the other runners in this race, and he has to be highly respected. He has come home the winner on 7 of the 9 occasions he’s taken to the track, evidencing he’s a horse that obviously has a huge amount of ability.
However, he can be lit up easily, and the preliminaries would be a concern for me. I think he may be vulnerable, and regular jockey Williams Buick is pretty much guaranteed to be jumping ship to Notable Speech.
More Thunder
More Thunder was a progressive 4-year-old last season after switching to William Haggas from the Michael Stoute stable. More Thunder worked his way through the handicap ranks before landing the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes easily towards the end of the season. He then had his first try in Group 1 company on very soft ground at Longchamp, where he finished a never-nearer 4th, beaten three lengths at the line. I think the soft ground may have impacted his turn of foot on that occasion, and he arguably looked like the mile would suit more than 7f in a better race.
He has since returned to action this season with a really eye-catching second trying the mile in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes. He stayed on well to beat all bar Notable Speech come the line. That was his first run of the 2026 campaign and it should have brought him on nicely for this race. The stiff Ascot finish will suit his running style as he is a late closer who sits off the pace and that is often seen to best effect here at this track.
Docklands
The 2025 heroine returns for more this season, and this Ascot specialist obviously has to be respected over his optimum course and distance for the Harry Eustace yard.
However, things haven’t quite gone to plan since, and he has finished out of the frame back here at Ascot last October. Now that was a strange race as 100/1 shot Cicero’s Gift won, but I do think Docklands will have his work cut out to win this 2026 renewal as it looks a significantly stronger contest than the one he won last year. He may well hit the frame, but I’d be surprised if there isn’t at least one better than him on the day.
Zeus Olympios
I do think Zeus Olympios is an interesting runner in here. A progressive three-year-old last season for Karl Burke, he has done everything right working his way up the ranks and ultimately beat Opera Ballo by over 2 lengths in a Group 2 to end the season.
He’s been seen twice this season already and has finished third on both occasions. Firstly, chasing home Opera Ballo at Sandown looking in need of it before then chasing home Notable Speech in his first Group 1 race last month in the Lockinge. He’s a big burly horse, and he’s entitled to be improving for each run and the experience.
This track will suit him more, and I think he can get closer to the two Godolphin horses here at the very least.
Henry’s Queen Anne Tip
The horse I do like is MORE THUNDER (11/2 with William Hill) for the reasons above. He’s improving, he’ll be well suited by this course and distance, and he’ll relish the likely decent gallop they’ll go. He is entitled to come on for the Lockinge effort more than a couple of his main rivals, as that was his first start of the year and it looked to be a stepping stone. More Thunder will be coming home strongly in the final furlong, and I believe he can pick off his rivals close to home.
The Queen Anne Stakes Explained
The Queen Anne Stakes is the curtain-raiser at Royal Ascot and one of the most prestigious one-mile races in the European calendar. Run on Tuesday’s opening day of the meeting at 14:30 BST, the race carries a purse of £750,000 and Group 1 status.
The race is contested over Ascot’s straight mile — a stiff, galloping test that rewards horses with proper stamina at the trip rather than pure speed. The straight course climbs gently throughout, with the final two furlongs particularly demanding. Horses that sit off the pace and finish strongly tend to do well here; pure speed types with a sharper turn of foot are often found out by the relentless test.
The Queen Anne began life in 1840 as the Trial Stakes before being renamed in honour of Queen Anne, who founded Royal Ascot in 1711. It was elevated to Group 1 status in 2003 and has been won by some of the greatest milers of the modern era, including Frankel (2012), Tepin (2016) and Palace Pier (2021).
Best Bookmakers for Queen Anne Stakes Betting
For Royal Ascot betting, three things matter most:
Best odds guaranteed (BOG) is essential. If you take an early price on your Queen Anne pick, and the starting price is bigger, you’re paid at the bigger odds. Most major UK bookmakers offer BOG on UK racing — see our best odds guaranteed guide for the full list. Betfred is among the most generous, offering BOG from 7am on race day.
Each-way terms vary significantly. Most bookmakers will pay each-way on the first four places in the Queen Anne (or sometimes five) at 1/4 the odds. Some offer enhanced extra-place specials on Royal Ascot races — check before placing your each-way bet to make sure you’re getting the best terms.
Acca insurance and Lucky 15 bonuses add ongoing value across the week’s seven races per day. Betfred’s Lucky 15 bonus pays double the odds for one winner if all four selections run, plus 10%/15%/20% bonuses on Lucky 15/31/63 winners — uniquely generous to multiple-bet punters.
Royal Ascot 2026 Free Bets and Welcome Offers
Standout welcome offers for new customers ahead of Royal Ascot:
For new customers wanting maximum welcome offer value, see our Betfred sign-up offer page. For punters who don’t want winning-customer restrictions, our GreatBet sign-up offer page covers a traditional UK bookmaker offering BOG, monthly cashback and no restrictions on winners.
For the full Royal Ascot offers comparison, see our free bets hub.
Queen Anne Stakes 2026 FAQs
What time is the Queen Anne Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Queen Anne Stakes is at 14:30 BST on Tuesday 16 June 2026 — the opening race of Royal Ascot.
Who is the favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes 2026?
Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby, William Buick) is the market favourite at 2/1. Stablemate Opera Ballo is the second favourite, with More Thunder, Docklands and Zeus Olympios among the leading challengers.
Who is Henry Gibbs tipping for the Queen Anne Stakes 2026?
Henry Gibbs is tipping More Thunder, trained by William Haggas. He finished a strong second to Notable Speech in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month and his late-closing profile is well suited to Ascot’s stiff straight mile finish.
Who won the 2025 Queen Anne Stakes?
Docklands, trained by Harry Eustace and ridden by Mark Zahra, won the 2025 Queen Anne Stakes at odds of 14/1. He returns to defend his crown in 2026.
What distance is the Queen Anne Stakes?
The Queen Anne Stakes is run over one mile on Ascot’s straight course. The stiff finish rewards horses with proper stamina at the trip rather than pure speed.
How much is the Queen Anne Stakes prize money?
The total prize money for the 2026 Queen Anne Stakes is £750,000, with the winning connections collecting the lion’s share.
Where does the Queen Anne Stakes fit on the Royal Ascot card?
The Queen Anne Stakes is the opening race of Royal Ascot — the first race of the first day, run at 14:30 BST on Tuesday 16 June 2026.
Do favourites win the Queen Anne Stakes?
Seven of the last 12 Queen Anne Stakes winners have been the market favourite — returning at odds ranging from 1/6 to 4/1. The race favours form horses, with 9 of 12 recent winners rated 114+ on official figures, and 10 of 12 having won at least one previous Group race.
Has the Lockinge form been a good guide to the Queen Anne?
Yes. Six of the last 12 Queen Anne winners ran in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on their previous outing. With three Lockinge runners (Notable Speech, More Thunder, Zeus Olympios) in this year’s renewal, the Lockinge form is again the dominant pointer.
Where can I watch the Queen Anne Stakes 2026 in the UK?
Royal Ascot is shown live and free-to-air on ITV throughout the week, with extended coverage on ITV Racing. ITV Racing also live streams via the ITVX platform.
Does the Queen Anne Stakes have best odds guaranteed?
Yes — Best Odds Guaranteed is offered on the Queen Anne Stakes by most major UK bookmakers. Take an early price and if the SP is bigger, you’re paid at the bigger odds. See our best odds guaranteed guide for full details.
More Royal Ascot 2026 Content
- Royal Ascot 2026 Tips — daily race-by-race tips throughout the week
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide — bookmakers paying SP if it drifts
- ITV Racing Tips Hub — all our ITV Racing previews
- Horse Racing Pundits Tips — Tom Segal, Kevin Blake, Matt Chapman and more
- Lucky 15 Tips — daily Lucky 15 selections
- Free Bets Hub — UK bookmaker welcome offers
Tips are the opinion of our racing team and are correct at the time of writing. Always check live odds with the bookmaker before backing. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org | GamCare.org.uk
Henry covers both flat and National Hunt racing at thatsagoal.com. Producing a daily NAP, each-way bet and lucky 15 tip throughout the year.