- Wesley Ward Royal Ascot runners spearheaded by sprinter Outfielder
- Ward shipped seven Royal Ascot runners in Britain
- US trainer looking to add to his 12 previous Royal Ascot wins
Outfielder Leads Wesley Ward’s Seven-Strong Royal Ascot Return
Speedster Outfielder is set to spearhead Wesley Ward’s return to Royal Ascot, with the American trainer sending a seven-strong team to Berkshire after missing the meeting in 2025.
Ward is back with numbers and ambition as he looks to add to a Royal Ascot record that currently stands at 12 winners.
His breakthrough at the meeting came in 2009 when Strike The Tiger landed the Windsor Castle Stakes and Jealous Again followed up in the Queen Mary Stakes. His most recent Royal Ascot success arrived in 2021 when Campanelle won the Commonwealth Cup.
Assistant trainer Blake Heap reported that the team had travelled over well and arrived in excellent shape.
“Everything has been good and they have shipped well. It seems like we have got a pretty good team. I think we will do pretty good. Every one of them is as important as each other and I like them all. Right from the get go we thought we had a pretty good bunch.” said Heap.
Outfielder Gets Second Ascot Chance
Outfielder is the headline act among Ward’s Royal Ascot runners. The son of Speightstown is being aimed at the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs on Friday, 19 June.
It is a race Ward won in 2021 with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Campanelle.
Outfielder brings strong credentials to the race. He finished fourth in last season’s Prix Morny before landing black-type contests at Turfway Park and Churchill Downs this year.
The colt had originally been pencilled in for Royal Ascot last season before missing the meeting, later making his European debut at Deauville.
Heap explained that Outfielder’s absence from Ascot in 2025 was due to a shin issue, but believes the timing of this year’s campaign has worked out far better.
He also noted that the colt possesses the right temperament to cope with the unique demands and atmosphere of Royal Ascot – a key attribute for any American challenger making the trip across the Atlantic.
Outfielder is currently available at around 20/1 for the Commonwealth Cup with leading bookmakers, while Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun heads the market at 7/4.
Juvenile Squad Gives Ward Plenty Of Depth
Ward’s challenge is far from reliant on Outfielder alone.
Ez Tina, a daughter of Golden Pal, is being targeted at the Norfolk Stakes and worked alongside Outfielder on Newmarket’s July Course on Tuesday.
Heap revealed she had picked up a minor scratch on her leg, although it had not affected her training.
The Queen Mary Stakes could feature a strong Ward contingent, with Shining Moment, Ruiva, Through The Years and Fanshell Beach all under consideration. Fanshell Beach also holds an entry in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Ward may once again have a powerful hand among the two-year-old fillies, while Heap singled out Ez Tina as one of the stable’s more intriguing juvenile prospects.
Another member of the travelling squad is Bacio, a recent winner at Churchill Downs, who is entered in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes.
Wesley Ward’s Royal Ascot Record: America’s Ascot Pioneer
Few overseas trainers have left a bigger mark on Royal Ascot than American handler Wesley Ward.
Since breaking new ground in 2009, Ward has saddled 12 Royal Ascot winners, making him the most successful US-based trainer in the meeting’s history.
His breakthrough came on 16 June 2009, when Strike The Tiger landed the Windsor Castle Stakes to become the first horse trained in America to win at Royal Ascot.
Remarkably, Ward completed a memorable double just two days later when Jealous Again captured the Queen Mary Stakes.
Ward’s most recent Royal Ascot success came in 2021, when Campanelle won the Commonwealth Cup (watch below), taking his tally at the Royal Meeting to 12 winners.
Wesley Ward’s Royal Ascot Winners
- 2009
Strike The Tiger – Windsor Castle Stakes
Jealous Again – Queen Mary Stakes - 2013
No Nay Never – Norfolk Stakes - 2014
Hootenanny – Windsor Castle Stakes - 2015
Acapulco – Queen Mary Stakes
Undrafted – Diamond Jubilee Stakes - 2016
Lady Aurelia – Queen Mary Stakes - 2017
Lady Aurelia – King’s Stand Stakes
Con Te Partiro – Sandringham Handicap - 2018
Shang Shang Shang – Norfolk Stakes - 2020
Campanelle – Queen Mary Stakes - 2021
Campanelle – Commonwealth Cup
Ward became one of Royal Ascot’s most recognisable international figures thanks to his willingness to target the meeting with precocious American-trained juveniles.
Horses such as Lady Aurelia, No Nay Never and Campanelle helped establish his reputation as a trainer capable of travelling across the Atlantic and winning at the highest level against Europe’s best.
