Queen’s Vase 2026 Preview
The Queen’s Vase is one of the key staying races for three-year-olds at Royal Ascot and has produced some very smart staying prospects over the years. Run over 1m6f on good to firm ground, this is a proper test of stamina, class, rhythm and progression.
This year’s renewal looks to revolve around Galiyan, Limestone, Del Maro, Port Of Spain and Wareeth. The Turf Talk model makes Galiyan the one to beat, with Limestone rating the main danger on raw RPR strength and Del Maro bringing the strongest Godolphin profile.
Key Queen’s Vase Trends
- Last Win Weight: 20/20 winners carried 124-135lbs on their most recent win.
- Career RPR: 20/20 winners had achieved an RPR of 86+ during their career.
- Market: 20/20 winners were no bigger than 33/1.
- Recent Speed: 20/20 winners achieved a TS of 37+ last time out.
- Recent Form: 20/20 winners had placed within their last 2 starts.
- Last Time Out Weight: 20/20 winners carried 124-135lbs last time out.
- Last Win Trip: 20/20 winners had run over 7f-1m5f on their most recent win.
- Recent RPR: 20/20 winners achieved an RPR of 78+ last time out.
- Speed Strength: 18/20 winners had achieved a TS of 75+ in their last 3 starts.
The pure trends shortlist is headed by Galiyan and Wareeth, who both achieved a perfect 15/15 trends match. Asakir and Limestone both scored strongly on 14/15, while Mr Colonel, Point Of Law, Port Of Spain and Ravenspire all scored 13/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends % | Rating | RPR/TS | Class | Stamina | Recent | Trainer | Going/Profile | Key Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galiyan | 100% | 250 | 112 / 108 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ? | Perfect 15/15 trends match, highest Topspeed figure in the field, progressive profile and the Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy combination. | Still has to fully prove stamina over this longer trip. | Main selection |
| Limestone | 93% | 247 | 120 / 92 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ? | Highest RPR in the field, strong 14/15 trends profile, arrives in winning form and represents Joseph O’Brien. | Topspeed is not as strong as Galiyan, Del Maro or Mr Colonel. | Main danger |
| Del Maro | 67% | 243 | 114 / 105 | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | △ | Charlie Appleby and William Buick, strong TS/RPR balance and very solid overall ratings profile. | Only 10/15 on trends and yet to win on good to firm. | Shortlist |
| Wareeth | 100% | 240 | 107 / 94 | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | △ | ? | Perfect 15/15 trends match, unexposed profile, strong recent RPR and Tom Marquand booked. | Raw figures are below the top three and Archie Watson yard is quiet in the supplied data. | Value angle |
| Port Of Spain | 87% | 237 | 116 / 103 | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | △ | ✓✓✓ | ? | Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, strong RPR/TS combination and proven in deeper races. | Needs to bounce back from latest run and trends profile is below the leading pair. | Major player |
| Mr Colonel | 87% | 235 | 113 / 109 | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | △ | ✓✓ | Highest Topspeed figure alongside the main selection, 13/15 trends match and Colin Keane is a positive booking. | Trainer strike rate is quieter and he may need to improve on RPR. | Place chance |
| Asakir | 93% | 232 | 116 / 62 | ✓✓ | ? | ✓ | △ | ? | Strong 14/15 trends score and a solid RPR figure. | Topspeed figure is a major concern compared with the principals. | Needs more on the clock |
| Point Of Law | 87% | 229 | 103 / 85 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ? | John & Thady Gosden profile, James Doyle booked and lightly raced. | Needs a big step forward on RPR/TS figures. | Possible improver |
| Ravenspire | 87% | 226 | 101 / 102 | ✓ | ? | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | Unbeaten, good TS figure, strong going record and K R Burke yard in fair form. | RPR leaves him with something to find at this level. | Needs improvement |
| Ranga Tang | 80% | 222 | 99 / 91 | ✓ | ? | ✓✓✓ | △ | ✓✓✓ | Good-to-firm winner and arrives from a recent win. | Ratings leave him with plenty to find. | Needs more |
| Magnetude | 53% | 214 | 97 / 87 | △ | ? | ✓✓ | △ | △ | Recent win and some improvement possible. | Lowest trends score and weakest ratings profile in the field. | Opposable |
Key: ✓✓✓ strong positive, ✓✓ positive, ✓ acceptable, △ slight concern, ✗ negative, ? unknown or limited data.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The final filter brings this down to Galiyan, Limestone, Del Maro, Wareeth, Port Of Spain and Mr Colonel.
Galiyan comes out on top because he combines the strongest trends profile with one of the best speed figures in the race. A perfect 15/15 trends match is backed up by a TS figure of 108, while the Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy partnership has to be seen as a major positive.
Limestone is the main danger on raw ability. He has the highest RPR in the field at 120, a strong 14/15 trends profile and arrives here after two wins. If stamina is fully unlocked, he could easily prove better than these.
Del Maro is third on the model. His trends score is lower than the top pair, but the Charlie Appleby and William Buick combination, along with a strong TS/RPR balance, keeps him firmly on the shortlist.
Wareeth is the value angle. He is the other perfect trends match and, while he has more to find on raw ratings, he is lightly raced and looks the type to improve for this new test.
Queen’s Vase 2026 Tips
1. Galiyan 5/2
Galiyan is the Turf Talk selection. He brings the strongest combination of trends and speed to the race, matching all 15 key trends and posting a standout Topspeed figure.
The Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy combination is another positive, and he looks the most likely runner to improve again for this staying test.
2. Limestone 7/2
Limestone is the main danger. He has the highest RPR in the race, a strong 14/15 trends profile and arrives here on the back of two wins.
If his stamina holds over the extra distance, he has the raw ability to go very close.
3. Del Maro 16/1
Del Maro is respected despite a lower trends score. He has the Charlie Appleby and William Buick angle, plus a solid RPR and one of the better Topspeed figures in the field.
He looks a strong place player and could be the one to benefit if the top two underperform.
Turf Talk Verdict
Galiyan is the selection, with Limestone the main danger and Del Maro completing the top three. Wareeth is the value angle as the other perfect trends match.
Final Selection
Galiyan
The trends, ratings and final filter point towards Galiyan as the strongest Turf Talk play in the 2026 Queen’s Vase.
1st: Galiyan
2nd: Limestone
3rd: Del Maro
Value Angle: Wareeth
Final note: in staying races for three-year-olds, improvement for the trip, race tempo and tactical positioning can still make a major difference.
