Friday promises a packed schedule of flat racing, with action coming from both Ascot and Newcastle and broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The centerpiece of the day is a high‑profile renewal of the Longines Sagaro Stakes, the traditional trial for the Gold Cup, where two seasoned stayers – Sweet William and Caballo De Mar – will clash in a nine‑horse field.
John and Thady Gosden’s veteran Sweet William arrives on the back of another strong campaign. He repeated his Doncaster Cup triumph last year and then went on to chase home Trawlerman at Ascum, confirming his staying credentials at the highest level.
That recent form makes him the favourite in this contest, yet it will be his first run in several weeks, so there is a possibility that the long lay‑off could expose a touch of vulnerability. On the other side of the gate sits George Scott’s Caballo De Mar, a horse that combines recent race‑fit conditioning with proven class. He was runner‑up in the Dubai Gold Cup just 34 days ago, and his victory in the 2024 Prix du Cadran still rings loudly in the minds of handicappers, even though he now carries a Group One penalty.
Caballo De Mar therefore presents a genuine threat to Sweet William’s dominance. Also worth watching are Tabletalk and Tarriance, two horses whose recent performances at Meydan suggest they possess the stamina required for long‑distance trips, but who have yet to be fully tested over staying distances in Britain.
Their form lines up closely, and they could prove to be the dark horses of the race. The day also features a competitive Group Three Commonwealth Cup trial. Wise Approach, the recent Middle Park victor, will be conceding weight across the board, making his task more demanding.
Meanwhile, Charlie Appleby’s three‑year‑old, fresh from a spirited win in the Newmarket Group One, will line up under the experienced hands of William Buick and is expected to be the horse to beat in that division. Aidan O’Brien will have Brussels in the mix, a horse that finished just three‑quarters of a length behind the favourite in its last outing.
With Ryan Moore aboard, Brussels is a solid place bet and could capitalize on any mis‑run from the front‑runners. Coppull, the Group Two Richmond Stakes winner at Goodwood, was a short head behind Brussels at Newmarket. Trained by Clive Cox, who previously guided Jasour to a Group Two victory in 2024, Coppull is rated highly and will be ridden by Rossa Ryan, making him a significant player in the contest.
For those who follow the broader racing narrative, the day also includes an open‑field Listed Paradise Stakes. Among the eight runners, Remmooz, Jonquil and Rashabar stand out.
Owen Burrows’ Remmooz has shown steady improvement, winning four of six starts last summer and finishing a respectable fourth in the Jersey Stakes at Ascot in June. Most recently he displayed a turn of foot to beat Volterra in a Listed race at Newbury, and the step up to a mile could unlock further progress. Jonquil, after a tough return campaign that saw him win the Greenham Stakes and narrowly miss a Group One in the French Guineas the previous year, disappointed in Abu Dhabi in February. He now hopes to rebound under the guidance of Colin Keane, aiming to translate his earlier form into a solid performance at the mile distance.
Rashabar, who finished second to Jonquil in the Greenham, endured a frustrating 2025 season but managed to show flashes of ability on several occasions. Dropping back to a mile may suit his running style, and he will be looking to capitalize on any opening in the race. The card also includes a series of two‑year‑old trials at Ascot.
At 2.00, the Brocklesby‑type race will see A Bear Affair and Dance A Jig take on debut winner Adaay Of Scarlett. At 4.55, a three‑year‑old heat offers a potential showcase for So Regal, a horse that could be a key target for the Gosden‑Moore partnership. Later, at 5.30, a strong 0‑95 race features multiple contenders such as Greek Order, Dosman and Angel Hunter, with Saytarr aiming for a four‑horse sweep. Internationally, the day’s highlights include the Grade One Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, where the Ashland Stakes winner Percy's Bar will meet Zany in a repeat of their previous clash.
Also on the American schedule, the La Troienne Stakes (Grade One) will be run later in the day. In France, the Group Two Prix du Muguet at Saint‑Cloud (2.50) will feature Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven among a respectable field, while the Group Three over a mile and a quarter at 3.25 will see Juddmonte filly Sunly return under trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard. Back in England, Newcastle’s 5.53 race will see last‑time winner The Cursor step up with clear claims, and at 6.30, Haggas‑trained Eklleem will aim to improve on his previous effort, while well‑bred Eljowhary makes his debut. Overall, Friday’s card offers a blend of established talent, emerging prospects, and intriguing match‑ups across both sprint and staying divisions.
Whether you are a fan of seasoned stayers like Sweet William and Caballo De Mar, or you prefer to track the progress of younger horses stepping up in class, there is plenty to watch. Stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing for live coverage, in‑depth analysis, and post‑race interviews that will bring the excitement of the Royal Ascot Trials Day directly to your screen.