You have to go all the way back to 1950 to find a winner longer-priced than Ten Bob Tony in the Queen Anne Stakes.
The 50-1 shot bloused them in the opening race of Royal Ascot for 2026 as the ten-day back-up suited the five-year-old gelding with his chestnut coat shining brightly in the brilliant British sunshine.
With the early pace set by Opera Ballo ($4.40/16.5) with 2000 Guineas-winning jockey Billy Loughnane aboard, Ten Bob Tony followed up on his win in the Group 3 Tattenham Corner Stakes (1408m) on June 6 with this victory in this Group 1 over 1609m.
Despite questions from his peers why he was starting the son of Group 1 Lockinge Stakes (1609m) winner Night Of Thunder in the event at such a long price, trainer Ed Walker’s confidence was vindicated with the result.
“Have a go,” Walker said.
“He came out of the run at Epsom really well. It was like he hadn’t had a race and I knew (Ascot) would produce beautiful ground for the first race of the meeting regardless of the weather.
“It is like a carpet out there and we thought we’ll ride him cold. We had a go.”
It was a sixth Royal Ascot win for Walker and a fourth for jockey Kieran Shoemark.
“He travelled superbly and we wanted to ride him for the mile today,” Shoemark said.
“He’s clearly in a great vein of form. I am somewhat surprised but clearly delighted.”
More Thunder ($3.50/7-2), trained by William Haggas, pushed through late for second with Opera Ballo – who snapped a three-run winning streak – filling the minor placing.
Race favourite Notable Speech ($3.20/11-5) finished outside of the main frame in sixth.
Walker and Shoemark will combine with last start Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2112m) winner Almaqam in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2004m) on Day 2 of Royal Ascot.