Record overseas entry for Royal Ascot Wednesday, April 20, 2016

A record number of overseas entries from eight countries feature among a total of 394 entries for the eight Group One highlights at Royal Ascot in June this year.

There are 164 overseas entries in all, as against a previous best of 156 in 2013, including a record 35 from outside Europe (previous highest 27 in 2011).

There is representation from Ireland (81), France (44), the USA (18 – the highest ever level – previous highest 13 in 2011), Australia (9), Germany (4), Hong Kong (4), Japan (2) and Singapore (2), plus 230 British-trained entries.

Star American-trained mare is under consideration for the opening race of the meeting (Tuesday, June 14), the £600,000 (41 entries) over the straight mile. Trained by Mark Casse, the five-year-old comfortably defeated several European raiders, including fellow Queen Anne entries Mondialiste (David O’Meara) and (Andre Fabre FR), in the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Mile at in October.

The Bernstein mare is unbeaten in three starts this year and was last seen out when gaining a most impressive five-length victory in the Grade One at Keeneland on April 16.

Casse said: “All is good with Tepin. The plan is to run her around the first Saturday in May here in America and then we will make a decision about Royal Ascot after that. We feel that is good timing with Ascot in mind.

“She continues to amaze me. I was so nervous during the Jenny Wiley Stakes that I did not watch much of it but she broke the stakes record and was a fifth off the track record. I think if Julien (Leparoux) had asked her for any effort she would have easily broken the track record.

“Royal Ascot is definitely going to be a little more difficult. You just never know when you try something new [Ascot’s straight mile]. I would have been a little more worried because a mile uphill is a lot more taxing than a mile in the US, but the way Tepin has run recently suggests that, now she is older and wiser, she doesn’t have the distance limitations she had early on.

“We may even run her in the Woodford Reserve Stakes, which is a mile and a furlong against the boys on Kentucky Derby Day (May 7). That would probably be a little more equal to a mile at Royal Ascot. I have never been to Ascot so I am only guessing.”

Tepin is likely to be joined at Royal Ascot by fellow female star miler, last week's G1 Makers Mark Mile winner, Miss Temple City (Graham Motion USA), who was fourth in last year's and is being geared toward the Group Two , which closes next week.

The European challenge in the Queen Anne Stakes is led by last year’s winner (Freddy Head FR) and Coronation Stakes scorer (Jean Claude-Rouget FR). Australian import Vancouver is one of four entries for Ireland’s champion Flat trainer Aidan O’Brien, while A Shin Erwin (Hidemasa Nakao JPN) and Godolphin’s Australian-trained Bow Creek (John O’Shea, AUS) are two other possibles.

A Shin Hikari (Masanori Sakaguchi JPN) is set to fly the flag for Japan in the 10-furlong Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (39 entries), worth £750,000, on the second day, Wednesday, June 15. The five-year-old burst on to the world stage with an impressive front-running victory in the Group One at Sha Tin in December. He could have a prep run in the Group One Prix d’Ispahan at Chantilly, France, on May 24.

Breeders’ Cup Turf heroine (Aidan O’Brien IRE) and QIPCO Champion Stakes victor Fascinating Rock ( IRE) head a strong European contingent in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. (Andre Fabre FR), the leading three-year-old colt in France last season, is also engaged.

The £600,000 (44 entries) could see a fascinating clash between top Australian sprinter Chautauqua (John Hawkes AUS) and last year’s winner Undrafted (Wesley Ward USA).

The King’s Stand Stakes and Diamond Jubilee Stakes are the first two British legs of the Global Sprint Challenge. Chautauqua won the opening leg, the Lightning Stakes in Melbourne, and runs next in the Chairman's Sprint Prize in Hong Kong on May 1. That is also a challenge leg so if appearing at Royal Ascot, or in the Darley July Cup, Chautauqua would be running for the US$1-million bonus available to any horse winning three legs in three different jurisdictions.

Ward has also entered Green Mask, Hootenanny and The Great War, while Godolphin’s Holler (John O’Shea AUS), The Quarterback (Robbie Griffiths AUS) and Spalato (John O’Hara SING) are among other long-distance entries. Other possibles for the six-furlong dash on Saturday, June 18 include high-class Hong Kong performers Gold-Fun and Giant Treasure (both Richard Gibson HK), plus US import Bobby’s Kitten (Dermot Weld IRE), the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint victor, who scored impressively on his Irish debut last month.

There is also very strong international interest in the opening day’s £400,000 King’s Stand Stakes (59 entries) over five furlongs, in which Irish stalwart Sole Power (Eddie Lynam IRE – also entered in the Diamond Jubilee) may bid for an unprecedented third victory. Group One scorer Japonisme (Chris Waller – also entered in the Diamond Jubilee) heads three Australian contenders, while Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint scorer Mongolian Saturday (Enebish Ganbat USA – also entered in the Diamond Jubilee) is among eight entries from the USA. There could be representation from the Far East courtesy of Not Listenin’tome (John Moore HK – also entered in the Diamond Jubilee) and Kiwi Karma (Michael Clements, SING).

The 59 entries for the £400,000 Commonwealth Cup, for three-year-olds over six furlongs, will be hoping to emulate last year’s winner Muharaar who went on to be crowned European champion sprinter following a Group One four-timer. Acapulco (Wesley Ward USA), a devastating winner of the at Royal Ascot last year, is one of three US- trained contenders, while Washington DC and Waterloo Bridge, also both winners at the meeting last year, are engaged for Aidan O’Brien. winner is an eye-catching entry for trainer Mark Johnston. Another transatlantic challenger is Manhattan Dan (Gary Contessa USA), who was twice placed in Grade Two company last season (is also entered in the King’s Stand Stakes).

Aidan O’Brien holds a strong hand in both the mile contests for three-year-olds, with Air Force Blue headlining 56 entries for the St James’ Palace Stakes (Tuesday, June 14) and among 54 entries for the Coronation Stakes (Friday, June 17), with each having £400,000 in prize money.

Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite (Willie Mullins IRE), Order Of St George (Aidan O’Brien IRE) and St Leger heroine (Ralph Beckett) star among 42 entries for the £400,000 Gold Cup In Honour Of The Queen’s 90th Birthday over two and a half miles on Thursday, June 16.

Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Communications at Ascot, said: “It is gratifying to see numbers up generally and record international entries, but what really counts in the later respect is quality and spread.

“To have one of Japan's leading middle-distance horses in the Prince of Wales's Stakes once again is tremendous; Chautauqua is most people's idea of the world’s top sprinter and headlines several high profile Australian entries; Tepin’s record speaks for itself and she is really picking up the public's attention home and abroad; Wesley Ward has many more Group One entries than before including in the Commonwealth Cup, which was such a welcome addition to the card last year.

“Our thanks naturally go to all the owners and trainers with entries at Royal Ascot, for whom a warm welcome awaits.”

Ascot Racecourse announced in January that Royal Ascot prize money has been increased by £1 million (18% uplift on 2015) this year, bringing total prize money on offer to a record £6,580,000 over the week, Tuesday, June 14 to Saturday, June 18.

The three main prize money boosts were for the Prince of Wales's Stakes - £750,000 from £525,000, the Queen Anne Stakes - £600,000 from £375,000 and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes - £600,000 from £525,000.

For further information, please contact:

Nick Smith, Director of Racing & Communications, [email protected] / 07771 791449

Entries by Country each year 2014 2015 2016 Great Britain 172 237 230 Ireland 78 75 81 France 32 46 44 USA 5 11 18 Australia 3 8 9 Hong Kong 6 4 4 South Africa 2 0 0 United Arab Emirates 1 0 0 Japan 0 2 2 Spain 2 1 0 Canada 1 0 0 Singapore 0 0 2 Germany 7 3 4 Sweden 0 1 0 TOTAL 309 388 394

International G1 entries at Royal Ascot this year THE QUEEN ANNE STAKES (BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES) Horse Owner Trainer Country Bow Creek Godolphin John O'Shea Australia (IRE) Esoterique Baron Edouard de Rothschild A. Fabre France (IRE) Territories Godolphin S.N.C. A. Fabre France (IRE) Solow (GB) Wertheimer et Frere F. Head France Mr Owen (USA) Qatar Racing Limited Francois France Rohaut Ervedya (FR) H.H. Aga Khan Jean Claude France Rouget Cougar M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/Mrs O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Ireland Mountain (IRE) Dick Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs Aidan O'Brien Ireland Whittington (IRE) Sir Isaac Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien Ireland Newton (GB) Vancouver Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland (AUS) Endless Drama Sheikh Khalifa,Sheikh Suhaim/QRL G. M. Lyons Ireland (IRE) Yuften (GB) Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar J. P. Murtagh Ireland Lucida (IRE) Godolphin J. S. Bolger Ireland A Shin Erwin Eishindo Company Limited Hidemasa Japan (IRE) Nakao Tepin (USA) Mr Robert E. Masterson Mark Casse USA

THE ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES (BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES) Horse Owner Trainer Country Vedevani (FR) H.H. Aga Khan A. de Royer France Dupre Zarak (FR) H.H. Aga Khan A. de Royer France Dupre Estikmaal (IRE) Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum F. Head France Bolting (USA) Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd Francis-Henri France Graffard Qatar Dream H.H. Sheikh Adbulla bin Khalifa Al Thani Francois France (IRE) Rohaut Dicton (GB) Mr Robert Ng Gianluca France Bietolini Almanzor (FR) Ecurie Antonio Jean Claude France Rouget George Patton Joseph Allen Jean Claude France (USA) Rouget Taareef (USA) Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Jean Claude France Rouget Zelzal (FR) Al Shaqab Racing Jean Claude France Rouget Largent du Qatar Racing Limited M. Delzangles France Bonheur (FR) Ali Spirit (IRE) Mr Z Bifov/Mrs T Marnane M. Palussiere France Air Force Blue Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland (USA) Air Vice MTabor/DSmith/MrsJMagnier/JosephAllenLLC Aidan O'Brien Ireland Marshal (USA) Bravery (IRE) D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/Mrs O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Ireland Claudio Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland Monteverdi (IRE) Hit It A Bomb Mrs E. M. Stockwell Aidan O'Brien Ireland (USA) Lieutenant Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/Mrs A M O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Ireland General (IRE) Long Island D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/Joseph Allen Aidan O'Brien Ireland Sound (USA) Painted Cliffs Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Reckless Gold M. Morris Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Shogun (IRE) D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/Mrs O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Ireland The Gurkha Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Embiran (IRE) H.H. Aga Khan D. K. Weld Ireland Herald The Godolphin J. S. Bolger Ireland Dawn (IRE) Round Two Godolphin J. S. Bolger Ireland (IRE) Smash Williams Military Syndicate & Mrs J. S. Bolger J. S. Bolger Ireland (IRE) Stenographer Godolphin J. S. Bolger Ireland (USA) Awtaad (IRE) Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum K. Ireland Prendergast Blue de Vega QRL,Sh Khalifa,Sh Suhaim,M Al Kubaisi M. D. Ireland (GER) O'Callaghan

THE KING'S STAND STAKES (BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES & GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE) Horse Owner Trainer Country Japonisme Ingham Racing Chris Waller Australia (AUS) Holler (AUS) Godolphin John O'Shea Australia The C W Pearce & Partners Robbie Australia Quarterback Griffiths (AUS) Signs of Ecurie Pandora Racing Francois France Blessing (IRE) Rohaut Not Mr Matthew Wong Leung Pak John Moore Hong Listenin'tome Kong (AUS) Cougar M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/Mrs O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Ireland Mountain (IRE) Dick Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland Whittington (IRE) Painted Cliffs Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Vancouver Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland (AUS) Washington DC Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Waterloo Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien Ireland Bridge (IRE) Moviesta (USA) H.Redknapp, W.Salthouse, Ritchie Fiddes Edward Ireland Lynam Sole Power Mrs S. Power Edward Ireland (GB) Lynam Letters of Note Pearl Bloodstock Limited M. D. Ireland (IRE) O'Callaghan Maarek (GB) Lisbunny Syndicate Miss Evanna Ireland McCutcheon Kiwi Karma Dsands Racing M. Clements Singapore (NZ) Mongolian Mr Ganbaatar Dagvadorj Enebish USA Saturday (USA) Ganbat Manhattan Dan Platinum Seven & Partners Gary C. USA (USA) Contessa Acapulco (USA) Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Wesley A. USA Ward Green Mask Sheik Abdullah Saeed Almaddah Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward Hootenanny Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward Sheikh Of Sheik Abdullah Saeed Almaddah Wesley A. USA Sheikhs (USA) Ward The Great War MTabor/DSmith/MrsJMagnier/JosephAllenLLC Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward Undrafted Wes Welker & Sol Kumin Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward

THE PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES (BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES) Horse Owner Trainer Country Gailo Chop Oti Management Pty Ltd & A. Chopard A. de France (FR) Watrigant New Bay (GB) Mr K. Abdullah A. Fabre France We Are (IRE) Mr George Strawbridge F. Head France Erupt (IRE) Niarchos Family Francis-Henri France Graffard Ito (GER) Gestut Schlenderhan Jean-Pierre Germany Carvalho Cougar M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/Mrs O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Ireland Mountain (IRE) Found (IRE) Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland Highland Reel Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Sir Isaac Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien Ireland Newton (GB) Vancouver Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland (AUS) Fascinating Newtown Anner Stud Farm D. K. Weld Ireland Rock (IRE) Endless Drama Sheikh Khalifa,Sheikh Suhaim/QRL G. M. Lyons Ireland (IRE) A Shin Hikari Eishindo Company Limited Masanori Japan (JPN) Sakaguchi

THE GOLD CUP IN HONOUR OF THE QUEEN'S 90th BIRTHDAY (BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES) Horse Owner Trainer Country Manatee (GB) Godolphin S.N.C. A. Fabre France Tiberian (FR) Haras Du Logis/H. Volz/S. Falk Alain Couetil France Mille Et Mille Mr Nicolas Saltiel C & Y Lerner France (GB) Fly With Me Ecurie Luck E. Libaud France (FR) Kicky Blue Patrick Hendrickx T. Clout France (GER) Alex My Boy Mr Jaber Abdullah Andreas Germany (IRE) Wohler Wasir (GER) Darius Racing Andreas Germany Wohler Bondi Beach D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/L J Williams Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Father Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland Christmas (IRE) Order of St M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/L J Williams Aidan O'Brien Ireland George (IRE) Radanpour H.H. Aga Khan D. K. Weld Ireland (IRE) Fort Defiance Mr Brian Comer Luke Comer Ireland (GB) Max Dynamite Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland (FR) Simenon (IRE) Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd W. P. Mullins Ireland Thomas Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland Hobson (GB) Wicklow Brave Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd W. P. Mullins Ireland (GB)

THE COMMONWEALTH CUP Horse Owner Trainer Country Money Maker Meridian Racing Club/M. Watt F. Chappet France (SPA) Yakaba (FR) Wertheimer et Frere F. Head France Bolting (USA) Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd Francis-Henri France Graffard Cheikeljack Mme Jacques Cygler H. Pantall France (FR) Largent du Qatar Racing Limited M. Delzangles France Bonheur (FR) Post Var (FR) Mme I. Corbani S. Wattel France Painted Cliffs Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Washington DC Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Waterloo Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien Ireland Bridge (IRE) Independence Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith David Ireland Day (IRE) Wachman Promised Mrs Annette O'Callaghan Edward Ireland Money (IRE) Lynam Round Two Godolphin J. S. Bolger Ireland (IRE) Smash Williams Military Syndicate & Mrs J. S. Bolger J. S. Bolger Ireland (IRE) Only Mine Mrs C. C. Regalado-Gonzalez Joseph G. Ireland (IRE) Murphy Manhattan Dan Platinum Seven & Partners Gary C. USA (USA) Contessa Acapulco (USA) Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Wesley A. USA Ward Sheikh Of Sheik Abdullah Saeed Almaddah Wesley A. USA Sheikhs (USA) Ward

THE CORONATION STAKES (BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES) Horse Owner Trainer Country Rosvana (FR) H.H. Aga Khan A. de Royer France Dupre Trixia (FR) Mr J. C. Seroul A. de Royer France Dupre Come Alive Godolphin S.N.C. A. Fabre France (GB) Kenriya (FR) Mr Guy Pariente C. Ferland France Chartreuse Racing (Rosebery) F. Head France (IRE) Aim To Please Joerg Vasicek Francois France (FR) Doumen Alnajmah (GB) Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Jean Claude France Rouget Mr G. Augustin-Normand Jean Claude France (FR) Rouget (IRE) Al Shaqab Racing Jean Claude France Rouget Spectre (FR) mm racing Markus Germany Munch Equinegrowthpartners Syndicate A. P. Keatley Ireland (IRE) Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland (IRE) How High The Mrs R Henry/Mrs J Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland Moon (IRE) Minding (IRE) Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien Ireland Somehow (IRE) Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland Tanaza (IRE) H.H. Aga Khan D. K. Weld Ireland Love Potion Mrs S. A. Foley David Ireland (IRE) Wachman Siamsaiocht Mrs J. S. Bolger J. S. Bolger Ireland (IRE) Turret Rocks Mrs J. S. Bolger J. S. Bolger Ireland (IRE) Now Or Never Now Or Never Partnership M. D. Ireland (IRE) O'Callaghan Anamba (GB) Godolphin M. Halford Ireland Radiantly (GB) Niarchos Family W. McCreery Ireland

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES (BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES & GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE) Horse Owner Trainer Country Japonisme Ingham Racing Chris Waller Australia (AUS) Kermadec (NZ) N. Morgan Chris Waller Australia Chautauqua R. & C. Legh Racing et al John Hawkes Australia (AUS) Holler (AUS) Godolphin John O'Shea Australia The C W Pearce & Partners Robbie Australia Quarterback Griffiths (AUS) Sonnerie (GB) Wertheimer et Frere F. Head France Signs of Ecurie Pandora Racing Francois France Blessing (IRE) Rohaut Not Mr Matthew Wong Leung Pak John Moore Hong Listenin'tome Kong (AUS) Giant Treasure Mr Pan Sutong Richard Hong (USA) Gibson Kong Gold-Fun (IRE) Mr Pan Sutong Richard Hong Gibson Kong Cougar M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/Mrs O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Ireland Mountain (IRE) Dick Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland Whittington (IRE) Vancouver Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien Ireland (AUS) Bobby's Kitten Mr K. L. Ramsey D. K. Weld Ireland (USA) Fort Del Oro Ballylinch Stud Edward Ireland (IRE) Lynam Moviesta (USA) H.Redknapp, W.Salthouse, Ritchie Fiddes Edward Ireland Lynam Sole Power Mrs S. Power Edward Ireland (GB) Lynam Yuften (GB) Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar J. P. Murtagh Ireland Letters of Note Pearl Bloodstock Limited M. D. Ireland (IRE) O'Callaghan Spalato (NZ) Mr Graham Mackie John O'Hara Singapore Guns Loaded Neil Haymes & Partners Doug F. USA (USA) O'Neill Mongolian Mr Ganbaatar Dagvadorj Enebish USA Saturday (USA) Ganbat Green Mask Sheik Abdullah Saeed Almaddah Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward Hootenanny Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward The Great War MTabor/DSmith/MrsJMagnier/JosephAllenLLC Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward Undrafted Wes Welker & Sol Kumin Wesley A. USA (USA) Ward