Queen Alexandra Stakes 2026
The Queen Alexandra Stakes brings the curtain down on Royal Ascot and is a unique stamina test over an extended trip. It often suits proven stayers, dual-purpose types and horses with the right balance of class, stamina and recent form.
This year’s renewal features French Master, Le Destrier, Illinois, Columbus, A Piece Of Heaven, Berkshire Sundance, Dallas Star and Maxi King. From a trends perspective, French Master is the standout after achieving a perfect 15/15 match, while A Piece Of Heaven and Illinois both score strongly on 14/15.
Key Queen Alexandra Stakes Trends
- Market: 20/20 winners were no bigger than 12/1.
- Market Position: 20/20 winners were within the first 6 of the market.
- Recent RPR: 20/20 winners achieved an RPR of 96+ within their last five starts.
- Official Rating: 20/20 winners held an OR of 92+ in their career.
- Class Profile: 20/20 winners’ highest placed level was not Class 3-7.
- Recent Speed: 20/20 winners achieved a TS of 66+ within their last five starts.
- Recent Winning Form: 20/20 winners had won within their last seven starts.
- Stamina: 20/20 winners had placed over 1m6f to 2m5½f.
- Winning Trip: 20/20 winners had won over 1m4f to 2m5½f.
- Season Profile: 20/20 winners had fewer than two placings that season.
- Ground: 20/20 winners had not won on standard-slow or standard last time.
- Highest Run: 20/20 winners’ highest run was not Class 3-6.
- LTO Weight: 20/20 winners carried 124-164lbs last time out.
- Sex Profile: 20/20 winners were not fillies, horses or mares.
- Last Win Location: 20/20 winners did not last win in AUS, FRA, DEU, ITA, SCO or UAE.
The strongest trends horse is French Master on a perfect 15/15. A Piece Of Heaven and Illinois are the next two strongest on 14/15, with Berkshire Sundance, Columbus, Hipop De Loire, Le Destrier and Maxi King all scoring 12/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends | Rating | RPR/TS | Profile | Speed | Trainer | Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Master | 15/15 | 390 | 122 / 114 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Perfect 15/15 trends match, strong RPR/TS blend and James Doyle booked for John & Thady Gosden. | Needs to fully confirm stamina over this extreme trip. | Main Selection |
| Illinois | 14/15 | 388 | 127 / 116 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Excellent ratings, top-class profile, Ryan Moore booked and strong A P O’Brien staying credentials. | Not the perfect trends match and has to bounce back after recent defeat. | Main Danger |
| A Piece Of Heaven | 14/15 | 384 | 122 / 87 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Strong 14/15 trends score, arrives off a win and represents Joseph O’Brien. | Speed figure is not as strong as the leading contenders. | Trends Danger |
| Le Destrier | 12/15 | 378 | 117 / 75 | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | W P Mullins angle, William Buick booked and strong market position. | Topspeed figure is modest compared with French Master and Illinois. | Shortlist |
| Columbus | 12/15 | 376 | 122 / 101 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Good ratings, W P Mullins profile and Colin Keane booked. | Returning from a jumping prep and not as strong on trends as the front three. | Each-Way Chance |
| Maxi King | 12/15 | 370 | 118 / 107 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Strong speed figure and consistent profile. | Needs to improve on ratings and trainer form is quieter. | Value Play |
| Berkshire Sundance | 12/15 | 364 | 112 / 79 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy combination, useful trends score. | Needs more on RPR/TS figures. | Possible |
| Mr Hollywood | 11/15 | 362 | 121 / – | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | W P Mullins-trained and has a strong RPR. | Missing current Topspeed figure and only 11/15 on trends. | Respect |
| Dallas Star | 8/15 | 354 | 118 / 88 | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Has some back-class and fair RPR. | Only 8/15 on trends and needs more speed. | Needs More |
| Carlton | 8/15 | 342 | 98 / 75 | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Lightly weighted and James Owen yard capable. | Ratings and trends both need a sizeable step forward. | Outsider |
| Aajej | 7/15 | 330 | 87 / 75 | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | Has some jumping/staying angle. | Low trends score and weak ratings profile. | Oppose |
| Pivotal Days | 5/15 | 318 | 74 / 68 | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | Staying background. | Very weak trends and ratings profile. | Unlikely |
Key: ★★★★★ excellent, ★★★★☆ strong, ★★★☆☆ fair, ★★☆☆☆ below ideal, ★☆☆☆☆ concern.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The Queen Alexandra Stakes filter points clearly towards French Master. He is the only runner to achieve a perfect 15/15 trends score and he also brings a strong ratings blend with an RPR of 122 and a Topspeed figure of 114.
Illinois is the class angle. He has the highest RPR in the field and the strongest combined RPR/TS profile, but he is not quite the same perfect match on the trends as French Master.
A Piece Of Heaven is a big trends danger on 14/15 and comes here off a win, but his speed figure leaves him a little behind the top two on the final filter.
Le Destrier and Columbus both have the W P Mullins angle and must be respected, while Maxi King has enough speed to outrun his price if seeing out the marathon trip.
Queen Alexandra Stakes 2026 Tips
1. French Master 11/2
French Master is the Turf Talk selection after achieving a perfect 15/15 trends score.
He also has one of the strongest RPR/TS combinations in the field and James Doyle is booked for John & Thady Gosden. He looks the most solid profile horse in the race.
2. Illinois 7/2
Illinois is the main danger.
He has the strongest class and ratings profile in the race, with an RPR of 127 and a Topspeed figure of 116. Ryan Moore takes the ride for A P O’Brien.
3. A Piece Of Heaven 7/1
A Piece Of Heaven completes the top three.
He scores 14/15 on the trends, arrives here off a win and represents Joseph O’Brien. He is a strong profile horse if improving again for the step up in trip.
Turf Talk Verdict
French Master gets the vote in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. He is the only perfect 15/15 trends match, has the right ratings profile and looks the most balanced contender. Illinois is the class danger, while A Piece Of Heaven, Le Destrier and Columbus are respected.
Final Selection
French Master
1st: French Master 11/2
2nd: Illinois 7/2
3rd: A Piece Of Heaven 7/1
Each-Way Angle: Columbus 6/1
Value Play: Maxi King 22/1
Class Horse: Illinois 7/2
The Queen Alexandra Stakes is a specialist staying test, but the trends, ratings and final filter all point towards French Master as the strongest overall selection.
