US handler Wesley Ward has become a regular fixture at Royal Ascot over the years – firing in 12 winners. So, what are the main Wesley Ward Royal Ascot runners for 2023 as the US sprint horse trainer looks for more success over the five-day meeting this month.
Best Horse Racing Offers for Royal Ascot
Wesley Ward Has Had 12 Royal Ascot Winners Since 2009
US speedball trainer Wesley Ward began his love for Royal Ascot back in 2009 when he sent over Strike The Tiger to win the Windsor Castle at 33/1 and Jealous Again to land the Queen Mary at 13/2 and since then he’s ever looked back.
In doing so Ward become the first ever US trainer to land a Royal Ascot winner.
He had to wait four more years to see his third Royal Ascot winner when No Nay Never took the Norfolk Stakes in 2013 and that started off a run of having a least one winner in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
A few dry years followed but Campanelle got Ward back on the Royal Ascot map with wins in 2020 in the Queen Mary and 2021 in the Commonwealth Cup – with Frankie Dettori riding both times.
2023 Wesley Ward Royal Ascot Runners: Main Chances For US Trainer
Wesley Ward will send over another decent team to Royal Ascot 2023, with his runners to be based at his former assistant’s yard Ollie Sangster in Manton. While Ward is also expecting to bring over US-based riders Joel Rosario and Irad Ortiz to steer his Ascot runners.
AMERICAN RASCAL (Thurs, Norfolk Stakes)
American Rascal is another speedball from the Ward came that bolted up over 4 1/2f on his sole start at Keeneland back in April – winning by an incredible 10 1/2 lengths (watch below). He’s also bred by a two-time Royal Ascot winner for Ward Lady Aurelia and that same horse won the same race 7 years ago before going onto win the Queen Mary Stakes in 2016.
The Norfolk is also a race the Ward barn have loved to target – winning it in 2013 and 2018. It’s worth noting that Ward’s two past winners in this race were ridden by Joel Rosario, who is expected to come over for the ride.
He’s not a very big colt but seems to have plenty of pace – judged on his debut win at Keeneland. It was also nice to see him sit just off the pace that day and pick off the leader to win impressively and Ward rates him in the same league as his 2013 Norfolk winner No Nay Never.
BUNDCHEN (Weds, Queen Mary Stakes)
Sole career run for this 2 year-old filly came at Keeneland in a Maiden Special Weight – just getting nabbed on the line that day after making a bold bid from the front.
That run came on the dirt, but Ward feels this Gun Runner filly is better on the turf, which she’ll, of course get, at Royal Ascot this month.
The Queen Mary Stakes is the Royal Ascot race Wesley Ward has won the most times too – land the prize 4 times in total, including with a maiden in 2015 (Acapulco), when Ryan Moore did the steering.
FANDOM (Tues, Coventry Stakes / Weds, Windsor Castle Stakes)
You can see for yourself the debut win for Fandom at Keeneland (turf) at the end of April. Despite taking a keen hold the Showcasing colt won by around 7 lengths and Ward has pinpointed the Windsor Castle Stakes on the Wednesday or the Coventry Stakes on the Tuesday as the targets.
The Coventry is a race that has so far eluded Ward, so you feel he’d like to break his duck here, but he’s landed the Windsor Castle Stakes is a race close to his heart as it provided Ward with his first Royal Ascot success in 2009 (Strike The Tiger).
Ward is rating his American Rascal as slightly better after pitching them in a workout together, but with the pair expected to be kept apart that doesn’t matter too much.
TWILIGHT GLEAMING (Tues, King’s Stand Stakes)
Has tasted Royal Ascot in the past when runner-up in the Queen Mary in 2021 (watch below) and with 10 career runs (6 wins) is one of the more experienced Wesley Ward Royal Ascot runners this year.
This filly was last seen winning the Giant’s Causeway Stakes (Listed) at Keeneland in April and is also a past Breeders’ Cup winner when taking the Juvenile Turf in 2021.
Into a Group One and taking on some of the best sprinters in the world is a step up, but Ward feels she’s up to the task and is a filly that always gives her all, plus has been training well in the build-up to this.
LOVE REIGNS (Fri, Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes / Sat, Jersey Stakes)
The Queen Mary Stakes fourth from last year (watch below) but flopped in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland last November.
She’s bounced back to win The Limestone Stakes this season in April and with just five career runs (3 wins) there could be more improvement to come.
Love Reigns is also a versatile horse in terms of trip – with Ward looking at the Jersey over 7f or the Palace Of Holyroodhouse over 5f. Ward feels her experience of running at the meeting and over a straight track last year will help and rates another runner for team to look out for when her final target has been confirmed.
WATCH: Wesley Ward Discusses His Royal Ascot Runners 2023
Wesley Ward Royal Ascot In Numbers
- Number Of Runners: 83
- Winners: 12
- Winning Strike-Rate: 14%
- Winning Favourites: 3
- Biggest-Priced Winner: 33/1
- Shortest-Priced Winner: 2/1
- Best Royal Ascot Race: Queen Mary (4 wins)
- 2 Year-Old Winners: 8
- Profit/Loss (£1 stake): +32.50
Wesley Ward Royal Ascot Winners
See below the 12 Wesley Ward Royal Ascot winners over the years (from 83 entries), with Strike The Tiger the first in 2009 – winning at 33/1 – with Campanelle in 2021 winning the Commonwealth Cup his most recent.
- 2021: Campanelle (Commonwealth Cup) 5/1
- 2020: Campanelle (Queen Mary Stakes) 9/2
- 2018: Shang Shang (Norfolk Stakes) 5/1
- 2017: Con Te Partiro (Sandringham Stakes) 20/1
- 2017: Lady Aurelia (King’s Stand Stakes) 7/2
- 2016: Lady Aurelia (Queen Mary Stakes) 2/1 fav
- 2015: Undrafted (Diamond Jubilee Stakes) 14/1
- 2015: Acapulco (Queen Mary Stakes) 5/2 fav
- 2014: Hootenanny (Windsor Castle Stakes) 7/2 fav
- 2013: No Nay Never (Norfolk Stakes) 4/1
- 2009: Jealous Again (Queen Mark Stakes) 13/2
- 2009: Strike The Tiger (Windsor Castle Stakes) 33/1
When Is Royal Ascot 2023?
You can see the full 2023 Royal Ascot race times and schedule for the five days here.
📅Time/Date: Tues 20th June to Sat 24th June 2023 (1st race 2:30pm, last race 6:10pm)
🏇Racecourse: Royal Ascot, Berkshire
📺 TV: ITV/ Sky Sports Racing
🎲 Ascot Gold Cup Odds: Coltrane 3/1 | Eldar Eldarov 7/2 | Emily Dickinson 7/1
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