Joliestar, the five-time Group 1-winning mare trained by Chris Waller, is set to lead the international charge at Royal Ascot, with her trainer declaring the sprinter 'ready to take on the world stage'. The five-year-old is the 2-1 favourite for the £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on June 20 and also heads the betting for the King Charles III Stakes.
Owned by New Zealand-based Cambridge Stud, Joliestar has amassed nearly £4.5 million in prize-money from ten wins, including five at the highest level. Her latest victory came in the Newmarket Handicap, a race that previously served as a springboard to Royal Ascot glory for Australian sprinters Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast, and Black Caviar.
Waller, who trained the legendary Winx, has tasted success at the royal meeting before, winning the King Charles with Nature Strip in 2022. He came close to capturing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 2015 with runner-up Brazen Beau. Joliestar will be ridden by James McDonald.
Providing a progress report on Friday, Waller said: 'The first box is ticked for Joliestar ahead of Royal Ascot in two weeks time, travelling safely to Melbourne overnight. It takes a huge team effort to give these horses every opportunity and we’re looking forward to seeing Joliestar board the plane and take on the world stage.'
