The Commonwealth Cup is one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the Royal Ascot week. Introduced in 2015 and run over six furlongs on the Friday of the meeting, it is restricted to three-year-olds and has established itself as the definitive championship race for the Classic generation’s best sprinters.
The Ascot odds are already being shaped by a fascinating crop of juveniles from last season, and with two months still to go until the race is run, the market reflects both proven sprint class and some tantalising what-ifs. Here is a look at the leading contenders.
Albert Einstein: 8/1
The most intriguing presence in the market, Albert Einstein sits at the head of affairs despite his connections still officially aiming him at the Guineas. Trained by Aidan O’Brien and unbeaten as a juvenile, the Wootton Bassett colt was widely regarded as the most exciting two-year-old in Europe last season before a minor fracture ruled him out after just two starts, both over six furlongs.
His reappearance in the Listed Gladness Stakes at the Curragh at the end of March was a disappointment. Sent off the 11-10 favourite, he was ferociously keen early, found little when it mattered, and trailed home sixth behind course specialist Big Gossey. O’Brien was candid afterwards, noting that Albert Einstein finds it very hard to go slow and that his initial instinct was that the colt would go sprinting.
Despite that, connections have kept the Guineas option open, and both Albert Einstein and stablemate Gstaad were inadvertently scratched from the Classic through a reported computer error, with the option of being reinstated via a supplementary entry. The Commonwealth Cup remains firmly in play and would make obvious sense if the Guineas is bypassed or proves beyond his stamina.
Wise Approach: 10/1
Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin colt has the clearest mandate in the market and the form to go with it. Wise Approach won the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in September in remarkable fashion, stumbling badly at the start, losing all chance before the race had begun, and then producing a devastating burst of acceleration to sweep past O’Brien’s Brussels inside the final furlong and win by three-quarters of a length.
Appleby confirmed immediately afterwards that the Commonwealth Cup would be the target for 2026. A half-brother to Perfect Power, who won this very race in 2022, Wise Approach also finished runner-up to Charles Darwin in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last June, suggesting he handles the track well. He is one of the most straightforward propositions in the race at this stage.
Cy Fair: 12/1
The American raider Cy Fair won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar in October, beating Brussels by three-quarters of a length to establish herself as the best juvenile sprinter in the world over five furlongs.
Trained by George Weaver, the Not This Time filly is certainly a classy type. Whether connections opt for a transatlantic tilt at the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs remains to be seen, but her Breeders’ Cup form entitles her to a prominent market position. She beat some serious European rivals at Del Mar, and connections have shown no reluctance to travel.
Charles Darwin: 12/1
The most visually impressive juvenile sprinter seen in Europe last season, Charles Darwin demolished his rivals in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, winning by two and a quarter lengths with Wise Approach back in second.
The No Nay Never colt, also trained by O’Brien, is a full brother to dual Group 1 winner Blackbeard and appeared to be something quite exceptional on Norfolk Stakes day. O’Brien was clear that he is a sprinter pure and simple, and the Commonwealth Cup is the logical target.
The question mark is that we have not seen him since June, and, with the race still two months away, much will depend on how his three-year-old campaign begins. For those who want to bet on racing at an early stage of a market, Charles Darwin at 12/1 offers appeal if his spring form matches the lofty standard of his juvenile season.
Gstaad: 14/1
The most decorated juvenile in the O’Brien stable last season, Gstaad won the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and then defeated a strong international field in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, giving his trainer a record-breaking 21st Breeders’ Cup victory.
By Starspangledbanner, Gstaad stayed a mile at Del Mar and finished runner-up three times at Group 1 level in Europe before his Breeders’ Cup triumph. O’Brien himself suggested a Classic campaign could be on the agenda, and Gstaad was also caught up in the accidental scratching from the Guineas.
At 14/1 for the Commonwealth Cup, he represents a market price that acknowledges he may end up going a different direction entirely, but the six-furlong trip should be well within his compass if connections opt for the sprint route.
Venetian Sun: 14/1
One of the most exciting sprint fillies to emerge in Europe last season, Venetian Sun won the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville to announce herself as the best juvenile filly over six furlongs on the continent.
By Starman, who has proven himself one of the most potent sources of speed in the first-crop sire rankings, she brings strong credentials to the Commonwealth Cup market. A winner at the highest level over six furlongs as a juvenile, Venetian Sun would be a serious contender if connections opt for this route rather than a Guineas-bound fillies’ programme.
