Three horses ranked in the top 11 in the world will square off on Wednesday when the starting gate opens in the 2026 Prince of Wales's Stakes on the second day of the Royal Ascot meet in England. Reigning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz (tied for second in the World's Best Racehorse Rankings), defending champion Ombudsman (tied for fifth) and Almaqam (tied for 11th) are all set to leave the starting gate in what may be the race of the year in Europe. Ombudsman is currently a lukewarm favorite in Prince of Wales's Stakes odds from English bookmakers, at 11-8. Daryz (9-4), Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk (6-1) and Almaqam (13-2) round out the top four choices in the eight-horse Prince of Wales's Stakes field. Post time for the race is 11:20 a.m. ET.
With some of the world's best horses set to leave the starting gate, you NEED to see what racing reporter and insider Michelle Yu, who's in England to cover the meet, has to say before making any 2026 Prince of Wales's Stakes picks.
Few people in racing are as well-connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders' Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.
She started off 2025 by correctly going all-in on Citizen Bull to win the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, and she also predicted Forever Young's win in the Saudi Cup, Journalism's win in the San Felipe Stakes, Sandman's win in the Arkansas Derby and Mindframe's win in the Churchill Downs Stakes. She also hit the exacta in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
In March she nailed the Renegade-Silent Tactic-Taptastic trifecta in the Arkansas Derby. And on the Kentucky Derby undercard, she smashed two races: Crude Velocity's win in the Pat Day Mile and Stark Contrast's win in the American Turf.
For the 2026 Prince of Wales's Stakes, Yu has made her picks and constructed her bets. One surprise: She is using Almaqam prominently in her wagers, even though he is the 13-2 fourth choice.
Moreover, Yu's top pick is a horse who is "too consistent." She is including this horse in her 2026 Prince of Wales's Stakes bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY NEED to see her picks before locking in any of your own.
So which horse wins the 2026 Prince of Wales's Stakes? And how has Yu constructed her wagers? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Michelle Yu's 2026 Prince of Wales's Stakes picks and bets, all from the racing insider!
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