American runners at Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot has been kind to American runners over the last two decades and they have a whole host of chances across the five-day meeting this year.

No less than 10 contenders are set to make the trip over the Atlantic, the majority saddled by Californian-based trainer Wesley Ward who has a fantastic record at the meeting. Ward looks set to have seven runners throughout the week, including one fascinating runner in Wednesday's Queen Mary Stakes.

The 58-year-old didn't have a runner at the meeting in 2025 but is aiming to improve his tally of 12 Royal Ascot winners this time around.

We take a look at a selection of the most intriguing American challengers this week...

More Champagne (Queen Mary) - Wednesday

Odds: 20/1

Thomas Morley sends over More Champagne for just his second-ever runner at the track.

A daughter of Group 1-winning sprinter Golden Pal, her father made the trip over to the UK in 2020, finishing runner-up to The Lir Jet in the Norfolk Stakes.

In her one visit to the track she dismantled a decent Keeneland field that included a subsequent winner by a yawning six-and-a-half-lengths.

Ruiva (Queen Mary) - Wednesday

Odds: 14/1

"I'm really excited by that filly!"

Heading into this week, Ward told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast that Ruiva was his best chance of the week and looking at her debut win, she has obvious talent.

Ruiva's seven-length success at Churchill Downs guaranteed her place over here and the runner-up has since got off the mark in a maiden.

Outfielder (Commonwealth Cup) - Friday

Odds: 20/1

Outfielder is just one of two older horses taking part across the meeting for Ward and he arrives here in the form of his life.

Part of a strong Amo Racing team, his three-length defeat of Sandal's Song in May's William Walker Stakes was extremely taking and, barring his blowout in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, showed real promise as a two-year-old.

His level can more likely be judged on his close-up fourth in the Prix Morny behind Wise Approach, Gstaad and Venetian Sun.

Bacio (Palace Of Holyroodhouse) - Friday

Odds: 14/1

Ward rarely looks to handicaps at the Royal meeting but Bacio is not without a chance in Friday's concluding race.

He has only suffered defeat once in his career and looked as good as ever when winning at Churchill Downs last time out. He's been given an opening BHA mark of 100 and there is a chance that he could be ahead of that.

Ez Tina (Norfolk Stakes) - Saturday

Odds: 10/1

Ez Tina is one of three for Ward in the Norfolk Stakes and appears to be the pick of the bunch.

Another daughter of Golden Pal, she also made a striking debut at Woodbine, putting four-and-a-half-lengths between her and Ohana Lulu at the line.

Ward is seeking a hat-trick of wins in the race after entering the winner's enclosure with No Nay Never (2013) and Shang Shang Shang (2018) in the past.

Full list of American runners at Royal Ascot

Wednesday:

• More Champagne (Thomas Morley) - Queen Mary Stakes
• Celtic Dispute (Patrick Biancone) - Queen Mary Stakes
• Ruiva (Wesley Ward) - Queen Mary Stakes
• Shining Moment (Wesley Ward) - Queen Mary Stakes

Friday:

• Outfielder (Wesley Ward) - Commonwealth Cup
• Bacio (Wesley Ward) - Palace Of Holyroodhouse
• Sandal's Song (George Weaver) - Palace Of Holyroodhouse

Saturday:

• Ez Tina (Wesley Ward) - Norfolk Stakes
• Fanshell Beach (Wesley Ward) - Norfolk Stakes
• Through The Years (Wesley Ward) - Norfolk Stakes