The American presence at the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting this week

The US challenge at Royal Ascot this week extends to 13 horses, with 10 of those trained by Wesley Ward. Also the past winners.

Co-owner Steve Coburn, far left, and trainer Art Sherman, second from left, watch as California Chrome is bathed after a workout. Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

The US challenge at Royal Ascot this week extends to 13 horses, with 10 of those trained by Wesley Ward, who has previously struck at the meeting with Jealous Again and Strike the Tiger in 2009, No Nay Never in 2013 and Hootenanny last year.

Tuesday

Finnegan, Coventry Stakes

A two-year-old half brother to Bodemeister, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby in 2012. Wesley Ward has never had a runner in the race, a sign of the confidence in the colt.

Wednesday

California Chrome, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes

American Pharoah has stolen California Chrome’s limelight with Triple Crown glory but, with his blue collar connections and veteran trainer Art Sherman, America’s Horse of the Year is still box office.

Acapulco, Queen Mary Stakes

Cost US$750,000 (Dh2.75 million) and is a daughter of Scat Daddy, a sire that produced Ward’s Royal Ascot winner No Nay Never. He

has been training better than any horse Ward has had and could

easily prove too good for the locals.

Friday

Miss Temple City, Coronation Stakes

Graham Motion takes a second taste of the Royal Ascot flavour after Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom finished 11th in the Queen Anne Stakes in 2013. Miss Temple City has never been out of the first three in her five races.

Cyclogenisis, Commonwealth Cup

Trained by George Weaver, who saddled Saratoga County to win the 2005 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba. Owner Matthew Schera has stumped up £35,000 (Dh200,000) to supplement the grey colt to the inaugural running of the Group 1 sprint for three year olds.

Hootenanny, Commonwealth Cup

Hootenanny went on from his Windsor Castle Stakes win last year for Ward to finish second in the Group 1 Prix Morny and then took the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Could well be underestimated but it looks a tough race after 26 horses stood their ground yesterday.

Saturday

Undrafted, Diamond Jubilee Stakes

Has lost five in succession since he won the Grade 3 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park 12 months ago. Ward has reported the colt is bigger this year but he will have to be much better to beat Australian Brazen Beau.

KENTUCKY DERBY WINNERS AT ROYAL ASCOT

Animal Kingdom, 2013

After his win in the Dubai World Cup in 2013, trainer Graham Motion flew Animal Kingdom to Lambourn in England where the colt trained for the Queen Anne Stakes. According to owner Barry Irwin, Animal Kingdom became coltish in the paddock, which caused him to finish 11th.

Omaha, 1936

Omaha went much closer when in 1936 he was involved in what was one of the greatest races of all time. Throughout the final 400 metres English Oaks winner Quashed and Triple Crown hero Omaha were neck and neck and they flashed past the post as one. Quashed won by a short head.

Reigh Count, 1929

In 1929 Reigh Count, the 1928 Kentucky Derby winner, headed to England. He took time to warm up and was beaten at Lingfield and Newbury before he won Epsom’s Coronation Cup. He was second in the Gold Cup to dual winner Invershin.

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