The Queen's Vase is a Group 2 contest run over 1m6f. It takes place at 15:05 on Wednesday 21st June, which is the second day of Royal Ascot 2023. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

3⁽⁵⁾

31-23

Circle Of Fire

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Sir Michael Stoute

9-2

102

116

Won at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) last September on second start and reappeared with good Listed second at Newmarket (1m2f, good); no match for the first two when third in Lingfield Derby Trial (1m4f, AW) last month, but is in excellent hands to progress and today's extra distance could help.

12⁽¹⁾

361

St Vincents Garden

J: William Buick

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-2

103

Behind three of these when last of six in Navan Listed race (1m5f, soft) last month but was beaten about only 2l on that second start and his strong finish in that slowly run race suggests his performance can be marked up; game win in Fairyhouse maiden (1m4f, good) 12 days ago and this unexposed colt could be about to take a big step forward; one of three for yard.

1⁽¹²⁾

514-

Batemans Bay

J: James McDonald

T: Ralph Beckett

9-2

101

107

Won Haydock novice (1m, good to soft) last August and fair fourth in Group 3 Zetland (1m2f, good) last October; gelded before intended reappearance at Goodwood (Listed) where withdrawn after bolting before the start (9-1 at the time); may have staying potential but lots of improvement is needed.

13⁽³⁾

16-455

Think First

J: Neil Callan

T: James Tate

9-2

112

Unplaced in Derby trials on first two starts this season; didn't run badly when 6l fifth of eight in 14.5f handicap at Doncaster recently and is 12lb better off with the winner Saint George, but again looks vulnerable.

11⁽¹⁰⁾

9-2536

Steven Seagull

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Ryan

9-2

Seven-race maiden whose form is light years behind what today's opponents have achieved; wears a first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces).

7⁽¹⁴⁾

3117-6

Ndaawi

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

104

Two wins (at about 1m, good/good to soft) from first three 2yo starts; heavy ground might not have suited in French Group 1 last October and he might have needed his reappearance run in the Lingfield Derby Trial; however, he finished down the field in both and others have less to prove.

9⁽⁶⁾

21-1

Peking Opera

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-2

112

Won at Leopardstown (1m, good to yielding) last October on second start and reappeared with Listed win at Navan last month (1m5f, soft; kept on well); unexposed and is the sole runner for his top trainer, who has won this seven times since 2007; could have lots more to offer; key player.

14⁽²⁾

1-253

Sumo Sam

J: Kevin Stott

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

8-13

113

All four starts have been against fillies; Listed runner-up at Newmarket (1m2f, soft) last month and, after her odds-on 1m4f novice flop, she returned to some form in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) with fair Listed third at Goodwood (1m2f, good to firm) ten days ago; her pedigree hints this longer trip could be right up her street and she's not ruled out each-way.

8⁽¹³⁾

6-15

Nurburgring

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-2

104

Easily won three-runner maiden at Navan (1m5f, heavy) in April on second start then beaten just under 2l when fifth of six in Navan Listed race (1m5f, soft); he's very lightly raced and open to further improvement, but was behind Peking Opera and stablemate Etna Rosso last time so has work to do.

2⁽⁷⁾

1-31

Chesspiece

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-2

101

117

Won at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last November on sole 2yo start and, after reappearing with solid third of five at Newbury (1m2f, soft), he defied top weight in a 3yo handicap at York (1m4f, good to firm) last month; has since been acquired by Godolphin; stayed on really well last time and this unexposed Nathaniel colt could continue to improve now up in trip; on the shortlist.

10⁽⁴⁾

5-311

Saint George

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

109

Won at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in April on third start and followed up on recent handicap/turf debut at Doncaster (14.5f, good); today's task is considerably tougher but he impressed last time and is an each-way possible.

6⁽¹¹⁾

21-233

Hadrianus

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: Charlie Johnston

9-2

102

115

Listed runner-up at Epsom (1m2f, soft) in April on his third start and third in Listed race at Goodwood (1m3f, good) last time; no match for Gregory at Goodwood and on that evidence he's vulnerable, but stable has won this race seven times and their 3yos frequently improve when stepped up in trip.

4⁽⁹⁾

Etna Rosso

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-2

108

One of three for Joseph O'Brien; Dylan Browne McMonagle has ridden on both starts; won on debut at Limerick (1m3f, soft) in April and close second to Peking Opera in Listed race at Navan (1m5f, soft) latest; having raced just twice, he could have lots more to offer and is one to be interested in.

5⁽⁸⁾

Gregory

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-2

110

123

Won on debut at Haydock (11.6f, good) in April and comfortably made it 2-2 in Listed race at Goodwood (1m3f, good), despite his inexperience still being evident; his pedigree firmly indicates he'll be suited by this trip (dam Gretchen won the 14.5f Group 2 Park Hill) and he's a leading contender.

RACING POST TIP

St Vincents Garden

He may have finished last of six behind three of these in a 1m5f Listed race at Navan last month, but ST VINCENTS GARDEN rallied to be beaten just over 2l in that slowly run contest which bodes very well for his future in staying races. He has raced only three times and is open to plenty of improvement. Peking Opera won that Navan race and has strong credentials, but the chief threat could come from Gregory who was an impressive 1m3f Listed winner at Goodwood last time and is bred to be suited by this trip. Chesspiece is another to consider.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2022	Eldar Eldarov [3]	3	9-2	5/2	Roger Varian	David Egan
2021	Kemari [3]	3	9-0	15/2	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2020	Santiago [5]	3	9-0	100/30	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2019	Dashing Willoughby [6]	3	9-0	6/1	Andrew Balding	Oisin Murphy
2018	Kew Gardens [7]	3	9-0	100/30	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2017	Stradivarius [9]	3	9-0	11/2	John Gosden	Andrea Atzeni
2016	Sword Fighter [4]	3	9-3	33/1	A P O’Brien	Colm O’Donoghue
2015	Aloft [12]	3	9-3	5/2F	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2014	Hartnell [2]	3	9-3	7/2	Mark Johnston	Joe Fanning
2013	Leading Light [5]	3	9-4	5/4F	A P O’Brien	Joseph O’Brien
2012	Estimate [8]	3	8-12	3/1F	Sir Michael Stoute	Ryan Moore

Key race stats

Top-three finish last time out, 9/10
By a sire with a stamina index in excess of 1m2f, 9/10
Adjusted RPR of at least 108, 7/10
Rated within 8lb of RPR top-rated, 7/10 (exceptions rated 12lb to 21lb off top, one started favourite)
Won within last two starts, 7/10

Other factors

The only trainers to have won this since 2000 are Sir Michael Stoute (three times), Saeed bin Suroor (twice), Mark Johnston (seven), Aidan O’Brien (seven), John Gosden, Andrew Balding and Charlie Appleby (all once).
Five winners ran in a Listed or Group race last time out.

What happened last year?

A race that has produced Classic winners Leading Light, Kew Gardens and Santiago, as well as having Stradivarius on its roll of honour, the Queen’s Vase produced another top-class winner when Eldar Eldarov got up close home. Having looked in trouble in the straight, he galloped right to the line to win by a nose under David Egan. Eldar Eldarov would be another Queen’s Vase winner to be successful in a Classic when winning the St Leger later in the season.

Queen’s Vase

17:35 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats

What happened last year?

All Races