Royal Ascot 2026 continued with thrilling action on day three as Earth Shot captured the Ribblesdale Stakes and Enceladus claimed the King George V Stakes.
Earth Shot Swoops to Ribblesdale Victory
Earth Shot (4-1), ridden by James Doyle, stormed down the outside to win the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes. Trained by William Haggas, the three-year-old filly by Time Test collared Joseph O'Brien's Johanna Walsh (9-1) late in the race. Johanna Walsh had kicked clear turning for home under Dylan Browne Macmonagle, but Earth Shot slowly reeled her in to score by a head. French raider Gilded Prize (5-1) finished third under Oisin Murphy.
The race was marred by a loose horse after Hector Crouch was unseated from Lady Roisia at the start. The loose horse caused interference, but Earth Shot handled the situation well. Betfred Oaks runner-up Legacy Link, the 13-8 favourite, could not keep up and finished seventh.
Haggas said: “I thought she did very well. We won one Ribblesdale in the last century bred by Tony Hirschfeld and Lester Piggott. She's always been a beautiful filly and wants soft ground. Winning the Ribblesdale is second best to winning the Oaks, but it's a hell of a prize.”
Doyle added: “She's got a big engine. She zoomed into the race really good and she's still learning. Huge win for Wathnan Racing; Royal Ascot is a big focal point for us.”
Enceladus Powers to King George V Stakes Win
Joseph O'Brien notched his fourth winner of the week as Enceladus (7-1) took the King George V Stakes under Ryan Moore. The three-year-old son of Sea The Stars won by half a length from Roger Varian's Al Azd (11-1), with Believed (14-1) third. Moore delivered a power-packed ride down the inside rail.
O'Brien said: “Ryan made a good move early to change the plan and got a good spot handy. The horse was very tenacious. To have four winners is far beyond an incredible feeling.”
Moore, landing his 94th Royal Ascot winner, commented: “He began well, relaxed lovely, and was finding all the way in the straight. He's a fine, big scopey horse.”
O'Brien's winners this week include Kizlyar, Limestone, and King Of Cloughan, showcasing the strength of Irish racing.
