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Australian Runners At Royal Ascot 2026: Joliestar Royal Ascot Plans Revealed As Overpass Joins Australian Ascot Raid

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

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Joliestar heads to Royal Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Overpass targets the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, both as top contenders.
Australian sprinters continue to uphold a strong record at Royal Ascot.

Joliestar in action (Getty Images)

Australian Runners At Royal Ascot 2026

Australian Runners At Royal Ascot 2026
Joliestar Royal Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Overpass Royal Ascot King Charles III Stakes
Australian Runners At Royal Ascot

Joliestar's Royal Ascot plans have been finalised with the star mare departing for England alongside fellow Australian sprinter Overpass ahead of this month's famous Royal Ascot carnival.

The pair completed their final pieces of work on Australian soil before boarding flights to the United Kingdom, where they will tackle separate Group 1 assignments in a bid to add to Australia's outstanding record at the prestigious meeting.

Joliestar is set to contest the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on the final day of the carnival, while Overpass will fly the flag in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) on the opening day.

Both horses head overseas as leading contenders in their respective races and will carry the hopes of Australian racing fans looking for another Royal Ascot success.

Joliestar Royal Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Joliestar has emerged as one of Australia's premier sprinters over the past 12 months and arrives at Royal Ascot in career-best form.

The five-year-old mare has long shaped as an ideal candidate for the famous straight course, particularly after her Newmarket Handicap success at Flemington last year. Her ability to perform down the straight, coupled with her versatility across varying track conditions, has made her one of the leading fancies for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

There is also a bigger picture at play.

A Royal Ascot victory would elevate Joliestar's profile on the international stage and further enhance her credentials as one of the world's leading sprint mares. Connections have repeatedly spoken about showcasing the mare globally, with success in England likely to cement her place among the elite sprinters in both hemispheres.

Trainer Chris Waller has been pleased with everything he has seen from the mare leading into the trip and believes she is travelling to England in peak condition. The mare has completed her preparation exactly as planned and now faces the challenge of handling the long journey before taking on the world's best sprinters.

Overpass Royal Ascot King Charles III Stakes

While much of the attention has centred on Joliestar, Overpass arrives in England with a profile that demands respect.

The Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter has built a reputation as one of Australia's toughest and most consistent speed horses, with standout victories in races such as the Winterbottom Stakes, The Quokka and Sydney Stakes.

His racing style appears ideally suited to the demanding 1000m test at Ascot, where early speed and the ability to sustain pressure through the line are often crucial.

Overpass heads to Royal Ascot after another strong preparation and is expected to take plenty of catching in the King Charles III Stakes. Connections have been pleased with his work leading into the trip and believe the experienced seven-year-old is racing as well as ever.

Importantly, he has proven himself a reliable traveller throughout his career and that could prove a significant advantage during the demanding overseas campaign.

Australian Runners At Royal Ascot

Australian sprinters have enjoyed extraordinary success at Royal Ascot over the past two decades.

Choisir famously changed perceptions when he completed the King's Stand Stakes and Jubilee Stakes double in 2003, opening the door for future Australian challengers.

Since then, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast, Nature Strip and Asfoora have all claimed victories in Royal Ascot's premier sprint events, while Black Caviar's unforgettable triumph in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes remains one of the defining moments in Australian racing history.

Overpass will be looking to add his name to the honour roll in the King Charles III Stakes, while Joliestar attempts to become just the third Australian-trained winner of the Jubilee after Choisir and Black Caviar.

With one targeting the opening day and the other the final day, Australian racing fans could have reasons to celebrate at both ends of the famous carnival as another Royal Ascot chapter unfolds.

Both horses have already been prominent in early betting for their respective assignments, highlighting the respect Australian sprinters continue to command on the international stage.

If either can salute at Ascot this month, they will further strengthen Australia's reputation as the world's premier producer of elite sprinting talent.

Verdict

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Australian Horses at Royal Ascot 2026

Overpass

King Charles III Stakes

@3/1 - 1 Unit

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Joliestar

QEII Jubilee Stakes

@7/5 - 1 Unit

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