Karl Burke, the Middleham-based trainer from Yorkshire, has revealed he could field up to 20 runners at Royal Ascot 2026, including one horse he believes will be 'very hard to beat'. Burke, who has trained eight winners at the prestigious meeting, is aiming to add to his tally, particularly in the Commonwealth Cup.
Strong Team Expected
Speaking to Tattersalls, Burke said: 'We look like having a big team this year at Ascot. We could have up to between 15 and 20 runners if they all get there in one piece. Obviously, that brings certain pressures along the way. So hopefully at least one of them can finish with his head in front, or her head in front.'
Burke, now established among the top five trainers in the country, will return to the five-day fixture with several live hopes. Group 1 winner Venetian Sun, jointly owned by Tony Bloom (owner of Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion) and Ian McAleavy, will be among the star names as she aims to give Burke a second Commonwealth Cup victory.
Key Contenders
Venetian Sun (Commonwealth Cup): 'Venetian Sun didn't stay the trip in the Guineas, dropped back into the Sandy Lane over six furlongs and she's unbeaten over six furlongs. She put up a superb performance in the Sandy Lane. She goes to the Commonwealth Cup as favourite. With a bit of luck with the draw and the ground and a bit of luck in running, she should be very hard to beat. She's in great form.'
Night Raider (King Charles III Stakes): 'Night Raider's unbeaten this year over five furlongs in the Palace House and the Temple Stakes at Haydock. He heads to Ascot in great form. We think he's got a serious chance in what was the King's Stand. There's a small possibility he could turn out again in the six-furlong race on the Saturday [Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes], but we'll get the five-furlong race out first. He's in great form.'
Wild Blossom (Queen Mary Stakes): 'She was pretty spectacular, breaking her maiden up at Carlisle. She heads to the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. She looks a high-class filly with a lot of speed, very mature filly, and I'm sure she's got a big future in front of her, and she's all there as well. She's a strong filly. But she's got a great mind.'
Ruler's Pride (Coventry/Norfolk Stakes): 'He broke his maiden up at Ayr. He looks a real good recruit from the breeze-up. He'll head for the Coventry. He will have an entry in the Norfolk, but more likely to go six furlongs. A real good, strong, galloping two-year-old with a big future in front of him.'
Light Of Dawn (Albany/Queen Mary Stakes): 'She is a new Wathnan recruit, she looks a high-class filly. She's got an entry in the Albany, and I'd imagine that's where she'll end up rather than the Queen Mary. She looks a very promising filly.'
Love A Giggle (Queen Mary/Albany Stakes): 'Love A Giggle won the Marygate after breaking her maiden at Southwell. She then went and put up a real good performance in the Marygate. She's heading to the Queen Mary. She'll possibly have an entry in the Albany, but I would say Queen Mary is where she'll end up. She's definitely stepped forward again after the Marygate. She looks very strong. I am really happy with her - very tough filly.'
Revels (Chesham Stakes): 'He's a Lope De Vega out of Snooze N You Lose, who was a Listed winner for us a few years ago. He put up a really nice performance on his debut at Redcar and can only improve on that. He'll head for the Chesham, although he is qualified for the new Windsor Castle as well, but I would imagine seven furlongs is going to be a better trip for him. A horse with a big future, I think. He's a lovely, good-actioned colt and has got a good temperament.'
