Royal Ascot returns from 16 to 20 June 2026, bringing five days of elite Flat racing and royal pageantry. The Daily Mirror will accompany the festival with free £3 William Hill shop bets every day and packed pullouts featuring expert punditry.
The meeting features 35 races, including eight Group 1 contests, cementing its status as the focal point of the European summer season. Attention will centre on powerhouse yards such as Aidan O'Brien, Charlie Appleby and the Gosden operation, whose runners traditionally peak for the event.
Early ante-post discussion highlights horses like Talk Of New York for the St James's Palace Stakes, while staying enthusiasts debate Gold Cup prospects including Al Nayyir. Among jockeys, Ryan Moore boasts a formidable Royal Ascot record, while Oisin Murphy, James Doyle and William Buick are expected to dominate the biggest races. Buick, in particular, maintains an enviable strike rate on market leaders at the meeting.
The Mirror's free shop bets are valid on any sport, allowing readers to use them on the World Cup instead. Readers are encouraged to pick up the paper from Tuesday 16 June to Saturday 20 June 2026 to make the most of Royal Ascot.
