Shocking 50-1 win for Ten Bob Tony in the Queen Anne Stakes
It has been since 1950 that a horse priced longer than Ten Bob Tony has won the Queen Anne Stakes.
The 50-1 outsider stunned competitors in the opening contest of Royal Ascot in 2026, with the five-year-old gelding benefiting from a ten-day back-up, his chestnut coat shining brightly under the brilliant British sunshine.
Opera Ballo, guided by the jockey who won the 2000 Guineas, Billy Loughnane, set the early pace at odds of $4.40/16.5. Ten Bob Tony followed this up with his victory in this Group 1 event over 1609m, having previously won the Group 3 Tattenham Corner Stakes (1408m) on June 6.
Trainer Ed Walker's confidence was proven right when his charge, the son of Group 1 Lockinge Stakes (1609m) winner Night Of Thunder, triumphed at such a long price, despite questions from colleagues.
"Have a go," Walker declared.
"He came out of the Epsom race in excellent condition. It was as if he had not raced at all, and I was aware that Ascot would present perfect ground for the first race of the meeting, irrespective of the weather.
"The track is like a carpet, and we decided to employ a patient ride. We gave it a shot."
This win marks the sixth Royal Ascot success for Walker and the fourth for jockey Kieran Shoemark.
"He travelled superbly, and our intention was to ride him for the mile today," Shoemark explained.
"He is obviously in a tremendous run of form. I am somewhat surprised, but clearly delighted."
William Haggas-trained More Thunder ($3.50/7-2) surged late for second place, with Opera Ballo – who had a three-race winning streak snapped – rounding out the trifecta.
The pre-race favourite, Notable Speech ($3.20/11-5), finished outside the major placings in sixth.
Walker and Shoemark are set to team up again with the recent Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2112m) winner, Almaqam, in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes (2004m) on the second day of Royal Ascot.
Considering the unexpected nature of this result, explore the leading betting markets for the race to see how the odds might shift.
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