Join

Opportunity knocks to dash hopes of royal winner

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Fri 19 Jun 2026

Opportunity denied the King and Queen a Royal Ascot winner through Warrant Holder in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.

It is three years since Desert Hero brought the house down by carrying the royal silks to success in the King George V Stakes and confidence was seemingly high in their latest contender, who was a 16-5 second-favourite to strike gold on day four.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the William Buick-ridden Warrant Holder looked likely to prevail after travelling smoothly into contention rounding the home turn and then hitting the front passing the two-furlong marker.

But New Zealand-born, Hong Kong-based rider James McDonald came from further back and got a dream run up the rail aboard the William Haggas-trained 6-1 shot Opportunity to spoil the party, with a length and three-quarters separating the pair at the line.

McDonald said: “I was lucky to be on a willing participant and he did everything I asked. This horse was trained to the minute. Even William said this is one of our best runners during the week, that’s just saying how good he was.

“I did see the royal colours and I’ve deep respect and admiration for them. I was just glad to get a winner at Royal Ascot, that’s the main thing and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

“I go home Sunday, but I want to be back next year.”

Overpass makes swift return in Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Zac Lloyd shines on Moonfall for Bow Echo team

Kyprios becomes O'Brien's most prolific Group One winner

Dettori and McManus join in the tributes to Aidan O’Brien

Colin Keane excited to land Field Of Gold Curragh ride

Todays top offer

Get 1,000,000 Free Spins on J Cole

T&Cs Apply

18+ New customers only. Bet £10+ on pre-match accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get 4x £5 Horse Racing Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org

Claim Now

Featured offers

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets with Midnite

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

This is a test description for a Midnite offer etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

Testing JC

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets + £10 Casino + money back if 2nd to SP fav EXTERNAL LINK ANCHORAnother LINK

Bet £10 & Get £30 in free bets

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New Customers only. Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. 18+ Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.

Please bet responsibly

My Account

Home

Watch

Live

Replays

On Demand

Catch Up

Tv Schedule

RTV Play Schedule

Racecards

Today's Runners

Non-Runners

Tommorow's Runners

Racing Calendar

Results

Tips

Racing TV Tipsters

Nap Of The Day

News

All

Latest

Highlights

Columnists