The Biggest Upsets of Royal Ascot

There's nothing quite like the rush of seeing a horse gallop past the finish line, but the thrill is even greater when it's a long-shot who claims the victory. If you've placed a wager on that surprise winner, the excitement only multiplies!

But even without a bet, witnessing someone overcome the odds is always a sight to see.

We've put together a list of some major upsets from Group and listed races at Royal Ascot.

Les Arcs' Unexpected Triumph in the 2006 Diamond Jubilee Stakes

Sometimes a change in scenery can work wonders for a racehorse, just as it does for people. When the unique runner, Les Arcs, switched from Richard Guest's care to Tim Pitt's Shropshire stables, his fortunes changed dramatically.

Fortunately for Tim Pitt, this change translated into significant improvements on the track.

Pitt chose to have Les Arcs compete over shorter distances, focusing on 7-furlong and mile races. This adjustment transformed the horse, who began accumulating victories with ease. After securing five consecutive wins that included a listed race, Pitt decided it was time to push the boundaries even further.

He entered Les Arcs in some group races, but found the 5-furlong distances too restrictive. The winning streak halted as the horse faced defeat in two subsequent outings.

So, when the Diamond Jubilee Stakes arrived, on the fifth day of Royal Ascot, expectations were tempered. Many doubted Les Arcs could rediscover or surpass his previous form.

Yet, on race day, the additional furlong made all the difference, propelling Les Arcs to a neck-length victory over Balthazaar's Gift.

Starting at 33/1, Les Arcs' win was a delightful shock for any punter who backed him.

Accidental Agent's Stunning Queen Anne Stakes Victory in 2018

One of the most remarkable victories for a dark horse in a Group 1 race at the festival was delivered by Accidental Agent. Initially, few believed he could win the 2018 Queen Anne Stakes, particularly after he appeared overly anxious and sweaty before the race. Yet, he managed to emerge from behind, narrowly defeating Lord Glitters by half a length.

Since that dramatic win, Accidental Agent has demonstrated his reliability, especially shining at Newmarket where he claimed a win even as an older racer.

For those eyeing a bet at Ascot, though Accidental Agent is no longer competing, directing your attention toward other promising runners might be wise. If odds seem challenging to navigate, leveraging one of Royal Ascot's free bet promotions is a clever strategy to enhance potential returns.

Flashmans Papers' Remarkable Windsor Castle Stakes Win in 2008

While it may not grab headlines like others, the Windsor Castle Stakes offers a treasure trove for value seekers, including our experts at Which Bookie. In 2008, it provided bettors with an astonishing success story when Flashmans Papers conquered the race with staggering 100/1 odds. Which Bookie The skepticism of Flashmans Papers' potential was due in part to his trainer John Best, who prior hadn’t seen one of his horses win at Royal Ascot. Adding to that, Flashmans Papers' own stablemates seemed more promising, like Mullionmileanhour, a 16/1 favorite and the chosen mount for the stable's main jockey.

Despite several admired and well-anticipated entries, Flashmans Papers was grouped with five other long shots at 100/1. Still, his trainer remained hopeful.

Having struggled with the five-furlong runs previously, a much-needed break allowed the horse to build up strength. Ultimately, Flashmans Papers burst from the rear in the final stretch, claiming victory by a half length.

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