Prince Of Wales’s Stakes 2026
The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes is one of the elite middle-distance races of Royal Ascot week. Run over 1m2f on good to firm ground, this is a race where proven Group 1 class, a strong 10f profile, tactical speed and peak ratings all matter.
This year’s renewal is small but very high quality. The Turf Talk model points strongly towards Ombudsman, Daryz, Almaqam, Minnie Hauk and See The Fire, with Ombudsman narrowly coming out on top thanks to his outstanding overall ratings profile and proven course-and-distance form.
Key Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Trends
- Career RPR: 20/20 winners had achieved an RPR of 120+ during their career.
- Market: 20/20 winners were no bigger than 16/1 and within the first 6 of the market.
- Recent Form: 20/20 winners had placed within their last 2 starts.
- Last-Time Price: 20/20 winners were no bigger than 9/1 last time out.
- Recent Speed: 20/20 winners had achieved a TS of 87+ in their last 5 starts.
- Career Speed: 20/20 winners had achieved a career TS of 95+.
- Winning Form: 20/20 winners had won within their last 4 starts.
- Distance Profile: 20/20 winners had won over 1m2f to 1m4f.
- Last Win Profile: 20/20 winners were no bigger than 8/1 on their latest win.
The pure trends shortlist is headed by Daryz and Minnie Hauk, who both achieved a perfect 15/15 trends match. Almaqam and Ombudsman both scored strongly on 14/15, while See The Fire also has a solid profile on 13/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends % | Rating | RPR/TS | Class | Speed | Recent | Trainer | Going/Profile | Key Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ombudsman | 93% | 258 | 142 / 127 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | Highest RPR in the race, highest OR, proven course-and-distance winner, outstanding going record and defending winner of this race. | Just below the two perfect trends profiles, but the raw figures and course evidence are strongest. | Main selection |
| Daryz | 100% | 255 | 140 / 136 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | Perfect 15/15 trends match, top-class RPR/TS profile, three wins from five at the trip and a serious Group 1 contender. | No previous Ascot run and the going profile is not as convincing as Ombudsman. | Main danger |
| Almaqam | 93% | 251 | 137 / 134 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | Excellent recent win, strong RPR/TS combination, Ed Walker yard in red-hot form and Kieran Shoemark riding with confidence. | Course record is not as strong as the selection and needs another career-best. | Shortlist |
| Minnie Hauk | 100% | 248 | 139 / 134 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | Perfect 15/15 trends match, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, receives the sex allowance and is unbeaten on the going and at the trip. | Taking on older horses and still needs to prove she can match the very top older middle-distance performers. | Value angle |
| See The Fire | 87% | 244 | 136 / 124 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | Strong recent win, proven good-to-firm record and Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy combination. | Ascot record is a concern and she is slightly below the principals on raw figures. | Place chance |
| Dancing Gemini | 53% | 234 | 133 / 116 | ✓✓ | ✓ | △ | △ | ✗ | Useful RPR figure and Rossa Ryan booked. | Weak trends match, poor going record and no course success from four attempts. | Needs bounce back |
| Devil’s Advocate | 60% | 229 | 125 / 113 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | Gosden-trained and has previous winning form at the trip. | Needs a major jump in ratings to trouble the leading Group 1 horses. | Needs more |
| Mississippi River | 33% | 218 | 117 / 98 | △ | △ | △ | ✓✓ | ? | Aidan O’Brien runner and still lightly raced enough to improve. | Weakest trends score and has plenty to find on RPR and TS. | Opposable |
Key: ✓✓✓ strong positive, ✓✓ positive, ✓ acceptable, △ slight concern, ✗ negative, ? unknown or limited data.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The final filter brings this down to Ombudsman, Daryz, Almaqam, Minnie Hauk and See The Fire.
Ombudsman comes out on top because he has the most complete profile in the race. He has the highest RPR in the field, the highest official rating, a proven course-and-distance win, an excellent good-to-firm record and he won this race last year. In a race where the margins are tight, that proven Ascot edge is significant.
Daryz is the strongest pure trends horse and a serious danger. He matches all 15 trends, brings a huge RPR/TS combination and is already proven at the trip. If he handles the quick ground and Ascot, he could easily win.
Almaqam is third on the model. His figures are excellent, he arrives off a win and the Ed Walker yard is in outstanding form. He is a major player if progressing again.
Minnie Hauk is the value angle. She is the other perfect trends match, receives weight and represents the Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore combination, but this is a serious test against older horses.
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes 2026 Tips
1. Ombudsman 6/4
Ombudsman is the Turf Talk selection. He brings the strongest overall profile to the race, combining the highest RPR in the field with the highest official rating and proven course-and-distance form.
He won this race last year, handles the ground, stays the trip strongly and looks the most solid option in a deep but select renewal.
2. Daryz 5/2
Daryz is a perfect 15/15 trends match and rates as the main danger.
He has a huge ratings profile, strong trip form and the ability to make this a serious test. If translating his form fully to Ascot, he is a major player.
3. Almaqam 7/1
Almaqam completes the top three. His RPR and Topspeed figures are excellent, he arrives off a win and Ed Walker is operating at an excellent strike rate.
He has the profile of a horse still progressing and should not be underestimated.
Turf Talk Verdict
Ombudsman is the selection, with Daryz the strongest trends danger and Almaqam completing the top three. Minnie Hauk is the value angle as the other perfect trends match with a major weight allowance.
Final Selection
Ombudsman
The trends, ratings and final filter point towards Ombudsman as the strongest Turf Talk play in the 2026 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
1st: Ombudsman
2nd: Daryz
3rd: Almaqam
Value Angle: Minnie Hauk
Final note: in elite Group 1 middle-distance races, tactical position, pace shape and the ability to quicken off strong fractions can still make the difference.
