For a small number of trainers, it has been a career-long accumulation of winners at the sport’s most celebrated summer meeting. Tracking the race-by-race market movers across the week gives some sense of just how much the big yards dominate the ante-post and day-of markets. The records set across the Berkshire turf tell their own story about what it takes to keep producing at the highest level, year after year.

Here are the trainers who have won more races at Royal Ascot than anyone else.

Aidan O’Brien

No trainer in the history of Royal Ascot comes close to Aidan O’Brien. With a record haul of 96 Royal Ascot winners, the Ballydoyle maestro has won 12 of the meeting’s 35 races at least once. His first came in 1997, when Harbour Master took the Coventry Stakes. He has been sending winners back to Berkshire ever since.

O’Brien has been crowned leading trainer at Royal Ascot in eight of the last 10 years, regularly sending 20 to 30 runners to the meeting and averaging four to five winners per year across that period. His dominance in certain races is extraordinary. He has won the Coventry Stakes 11 times and the Ascot Gold Cup nine times.

At the 2025 edition, O’Brien saddled five winners at the meeting, leaving him clear of every trainer, past or present, in the all-time standings.

Sir Michael Stoute

Sir Michael Stoute accumulated 82 Royal Ascot winners during his training career, making him the most successful British trainer in the meeting’s history. He held the outright record until O’Brien overtook him in 2023.

Stoute passed the previous record of 75 winners, set by the late Sir Henry Cecil, in 2018, when Poet’s Word won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. His final Royal Ascot winner came in 2021, when Dream of Dreams took the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Across his career at the meeting, Stoute was particularly strong in the Group 1 races, a record no other British trainer has got near.

Sir Henry Cecil

Sir Henry Cecil racked up 75 Royal Ascot winners before his death in 2013. He was British champion flat trainer ten times, a figure surpassed only by Alec Taylor Jr and equalled by Stoute in 2009.

Cecil is remembered as much for how he won at Ascot as for how many times he did. Frankel won twice at the Royal meeting under his care, and the horse’s 2012 Queen Anne Stakes is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances ever seen at Royal Ascot. His record stood as the benchmark for over three decades.

John and Thady Gosden

The Gosden yard passed 70 Royal Ascot winners in 2025, with John Gosden confirming his 70th victory at the meeting across the week. The 2025 Royal Ascot gave their momentum a significant boost, as John and Thady Gosden claimed the leading trainer title, edging out O’Brien on a countback after both yards saddled five winners across the week. Their victories included a trio of Group 1 wins in the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and the Gold Cup.

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The Three Lions have not lifted the trophy since 1966, and five consecutive campaigns have each carried their own sharp disappointment. With the 2026 tournament now approaching, Thomas Tuchel’s side have an opportunity to change that.

England’s involvement in this summer’s competition has already captured plenty of attention, with World Cup football betting reflecting strong confidence in Tuchel’s squad ahead of the group stage opener against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June.

First, let’s take a look back at how the last five campaigns ended.

2022: France, quarter-final

England’s most recent World Cup exit came at the quarter-final stage in Qatar, where they faced reigning champions France in Al Khor. Olivier Giroud headed France in front from a Kylian Mbappe cross before Kane equalised from the penalty spot, his 53rd international goal drawing him level with Wayne Rooney’s England record. France restored their lead through Giroud’s second headed goal of the night, and England pushed hard to find a way back into it.

With time running out, a second penalty gave Kane the chance to level the scores and force extra time. He uncharacteristically struck it over the bar, sending England home. It was a gut-punch ending to a campaign that had suggested this group of players were capable of going all the way, and Kane’s miss overshadowed what had otherwise been one of England’s more controlled and convincing World Cup performances in years.

2018: Croatia, semi-final

This remains England’s deepest World Cup run since 1990, and the exit still stings. Kieran Trippier’s free kick put England ahead inside five minutes in Moscow, and for long stretches of the game, Gareth Southgate’s side looked capable of reaching the final.

Ivan Perisic equalised in the second half, however, and Mario Mandzukic put Croatia ahead in the 109th minute of extra time. England were unable to respond and were sent packing in one of the most heartbreaking exits in years. England failed to even reach the podium of this tournament, as they were then beaten by Belgium in the play-off to finish fourth. For anyone wanting to revisit the head-to-head record ahead of the group stage opener this summer, the England v Croatia oddsreflect just how much weight that fixture carries.

2014: Group stage exit

The Brazil World Cup marked England’s worst World Cup exit in 56 years. Roy Hodgson’s side were placed in a tough group alongside Italy, Uruguay, and Costa Rica, and lost their opening two games to fall at the group stage for the first time since 1958.

Mario Balotelli headed Italy to a 2-1 win in Manaus, then Luis Suarez scored twice as Uruguay won 2-1 in Sao Paulo. A goalless draw with Costa Rica in the final group game was irrelevant. England left Brazil with two defeats, one draw, and a serious re-examination of the squad’s international capabilities.

2010: Germany, round of 16

England’s 2010 exit remains one of the most controversial moments in the Three Lions’ history. Germany beat England 4-1 in Bloemfontein, though the scoreline does not tell the full story of how the game unravelled. Frank Lampard’s shot clearly crossed the line shortly before half time, with England trailing 2-1 at the point the goal was disallowed.

Had it stood, the match would have been level going into the break, but instead Germany went in ahead and pulled away in the second half with two more goals. Fabio Capello’s side had been unconvincing throughout the group stage, and the defeat exposed how far the squad had fallen short of the expectations placed on them heading into South Africa.

2006: Portugal, quarter-final

The 2006 quarter-final in Gelsenkirchen produced 120 goalless minutes before another penalty shootout ended England’s involvement. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side lost the shootout 3-1 after David Beckham had gone off injured in the first half.

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all failed from the spot, and England went home without a shot on target in 90 minutes against Portugal. It was a painfully familiar ending to another tournament that had promised more than it delivered.

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Most people still think of Rounders as a game played in primary school yards. The reality is very different.

Every weekend during the summer, around 100 adult teams travel the length and breadth of Ireland to compete in national championships. Men, women and mixed teams take to the field from Mayo to Wexford, Galway to Monaghan, in a sport that has quietly become one of the most inclusive and community-driven success stories within the GAA.

Across Ireland, hundreds of adults are discovering the sport for the first time.

Many never played Rounders as children. Many never played any GAA sport at all. In clubs across Galway, Dublin, Waterford, Limerick and beyond, players from every corner of the world are pulling on club jerseys and becoming part of their local communities through Rounders.

Few sports offer such an easy entry point. A person can arrive in Ireland having never kicked a football or picked up a hurl and, within weeks, be playing championship sport alongside Irish teammates. In an increasingly diverse Ireland, Rounders has become one of the GAA’s most effective integration sports.

The growth in women’s participation has been equally impressive. Women’s and Mixed competitions continue to expand, creating opportunities for women to remain involved in competitive sport long after many traditional pathways disappear. Mixed Rounders, where men and women compete together on the same team, remains one of the most unique and successful participation models in Irish sport.

Another remarkable statistic is that 60% of adult members are over the age of 35. At a time when many sports struggle to retain participants beyond their twenties, Rounders has quietly become a lifelong sport. Players continue competing well into their thirties, forties and beyond, drawn by a combination of competition, friendship and community.

That sense of community is perhaps the sport’s greatest strength.

For many players, Rounders becomes far more than a weekly fixture. Clubs become social networks, support systems and friendship groups. New residents find connections. Families play together. Entire communities are built around a shared love of the game.

Yet behind this success story lies a challenge that cannot be ignored.

The Volunteer Strain Behind the Growth

The sport’s growth has been achieved almost entirely through volunteers.

Every championship fixture, every juvenile blitz, every social media post, every referee appointment and every development initiative depends on people giving up their time because they care about the future of the game. Nationally, Rounders now operates approximately 400 matches annually, placing increasing demands on a relatively small group of volunteers, referees and administrators.

Travel remains another major obstacle. Unlike larger sports with established regional structures, Rounders clubs often face significant journeys to fulfil fixtures. Volunteers regularly spend entire weekends travelling to support their teams, while referees cover huge distances to ensure games can proceed.

Facilities present an equally significant challenge. As participation grows, access to suitable playing venues is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in urban areas where demand for pitches continues to rise. Many clubs are thriving despite having no permanent home of their own.

What Rounders Needs Next

The sport’s future will depend on addressing these pressures. Greater investment in development officers, stronger support for volunteers, improved facilities and increased visibility could help unlock the next phase of growth.

There is also a growing belief within the game that reaching 100 active clubs nationwide would be transformative. More clubs would reduce travel, strengthen regional competitions and create a more sustainable championship structure for everyone involved.

The foundations are already in place.

Participation is growing. New clubs continue to emerge. Women’s involvement is increasing. Juvenile programmes are expanding. More people from different backgrounds are discovering the sport every year.

For a game that many still mistakenly view as a childhood pastime, the reality is that Rounders has evolved into one of the most welcoming, inclusive and community-focused sports in Ireland.

The challenge now is ensuring the structures, resources and support systems grow as quickly as the game itself.

Because if they do, the next chapter of the Rounders story could be its most exciting yet.

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James Lowe is set to make his 100th Leinster appearance as Leo Cullen names his side for Saturday night’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions at the Aviva Stadium.

The game kicks off at 8pm and will be shown live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1.

Caelan Doris captains Leinster from number eight, with six changes to the matchday squad from the Investec Champions Cup final. Lowe returns to the side after equalling Shane Horgan’s all-time Leinster try-scoring record of 69 tries in his last outing.

Big Talking Point

Wow.

Ciarán Frawley being left out of the 23 is a very strange call unless there is an injury issue involved. Someone at Leinster may end up regretting not giving him a proper run at 10 over the last two years.

The Lions should be a lot more confident after seeing this Leinster starting team. Leinster are still packed with quality, but with Sam Prendergast and Luke McGrath starting at half-back, and Frawley not involved, there is definitely a betting angle here.

The handicap is Lions +15, and that looks huge based on this team news.

Recent URC Form

Leinster Last Six URC Matches

• Glasgow Warriors 38-17 Leinster
• Leinster 36-19 Scarlets
• Ulster 21-29 Leinster
• Benetton 29-26 Leinster
• Leinster 31-7 Lions
• Leinster 68-14 Ospreys

Lions Last Six URC Matches

• Lions 54-17 Edinburgh
• Lions 42-26 Dragons
• Lions 54-12 Glasgow Warriors
• Lions 33-21 Connacht
• Leinster 31-7 Lions
• Munster 24-17 Lions

The Lions have lost their last two matches in Ireland, but before that they had put together a seriously impressive run, including big home wins over Glasgow, Connacht, Edinburgh and Dragons.

Head-To-Head

• 25 February 2022: Leinster 21-13 Lions
• 15 April 2023: Lions 36-39 Leinster
• 20 April 2024: Lions 44-12 Leinster
• 26 October 2024: Leinster 24-6 Lions
• 09 May 2026: Leinster 31-7 Lions

Leinster have won four of the five URC meetings between the sides, with the Lions’ only win coming in Johannesburg in April 2024.

Key Match Stats

• This is Leinster’s eleventh successive appearance in the URC play-offs.
• Leinster have won all five URC quarter-finals they have played, with all five taking place in Dublin.
• Leinster’s only defeat in their last five URC matches was away to Benetton.
• The Lions have reached the URC play-offs for the first time.
• The Lions’ last eight URC matches have all been won by the home team on the day.
• The Lions’ only victory in ten visits to Ireland was a 38-14 win over Connacht in March 2024.
• The only away victory in this fixture was Leinster’s 39-36 win in Johannesburg in April 2023.

Top Scorers This Season

Leinster

• Top try scorer: Joshua Kenny – 9 tries
• Scott Penny – 5 tries
• Tommy O’Brien – 5 tries
• Top points scorer: Harry Byrne – 67 points
• Sam Prendergast – 56 points
• Joshua Kenny – 45 points
• Ciarán Frawley – 27 points

Lions

• Top try scorer: Ruan Venter – 7 tries
• Henco van Wyk – 6 tries
• Francke Horn – 5 tries
• Sibabalwe Mahashe – 5 tries
• Top points scorer: Chris Smith – 154 points
• Ruan Venter – 35 points
• Henco van Wyk – 30 points

Leinster Rugby Starting XV

1. A. Porter
2. D. Sheehan
3. T. Furlong
4. J. McCarthy
5. J. Ryan
6. M. Deegan
7. S. Penny
8. C. Doris (C)
9. L. McGrath
10. S. Prendergast
11. J. Lowe
12. J. Osborne
13. R. Ioane
14. J. O’Brien
15. H. Keenan

Replacements

16. G. McCarthy
17. A. Usanov
18. T. Clarkson
19. D. Mangan
20. J. van der Flier
21. J. Gibson-Park
22. H. Byrne
23. R. Henshaw

Match Details

Fixture: Leinster Rugby v Fidelity SecureDrive Lions

Competition: BKT United Rugby Championship Quarter-Final

Venue: Aviva Stadium

Kick-off: Saturday, 8pm

TV: TG4 and Premier Sports 1

Referee: Sam Grove-White

Verdict

Leinster should still win this game. Their pack is stacked, Doris captains the side, Lowe returns for a landmark 100th appearance, and the bench contains serious international quality in Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne and Robbie Henshaw.

However, this does not feel like a full-throttle Leinster selection. Frawley missing out is the eyebrow-raiser, and the Lions have enough power and attacking threat to stay within range if they start well.

Prediction: Leinster to win, but Lions +15 looks a big handicap.

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Big takeaway from the Connacht team announcement: Sean Jansen is the killer blow.

Jansen has been one of Connacht’s most important forwards all season with his carrying, line speed and defensive work-rate. Losing him for a game like this against Glasgow’s power pack is massive.

The other major concern is the backline depth and experience available.

No Harry West. No Cathal Forde. No Mack Hansen. No Byron Ralston. Jack Carty is unavailable due to personal reasons. Caolin Blade and Finn Treacy also miss the 23 despite returning to training this week.

Dylan Tierney-Martin and Darragh Murray returning to the starting side is a huge boost, while Dave Heffernan being fit enough for the bench gives Connacht badly needed experience and leadership in the pack.

Despite all the injuries, there is still real quality in the side.

Bundee Aki remains the focal point in midfield, Cian Prendergast captains the side again, while Sam Gilbert at 15 gives Connacht a genuine weapon with his goal-kicking. In a tight knockout game away from home, that boot could be absolutely crucial.

Glasgow Warriors Team News

Scott Cummings returns after an injury layoff for his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since before the Guinness Six Nations.

Glasgow Warriors Starting XV

Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (captain), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe; Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Alex Samuel, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Glasgow Warriors Replacements

Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jack Oliver, Ollie Smith.

Connacht Rugby Team

Connacht Starting XV

Sam Gilbert; Shane Jennings, John Devine, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Billy Bohan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (captain), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle.

Connacht Replacements

Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin, Sean Naughton.

Franco Smith On Connacht Challenge

“Connacht will present a strong challenge tomorrow evening. They have a well-drilled squad full of talent, and come here as one of the most in-form teams in the competition.

“We are pleased to welcome Scott back into our matchday 23 after his injury layoff – he has worked hard and worked closely with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best possible position ahead of his return.

“We know the difference that the Warrior Nation can make, and we look forward to hearing them get behind the team at Scotstoun as we kick off the playoffs tomorrow night.”

Stuart Lancaster On Connacht’s Opportunity

“This is exactly where we wanted to be at the start of the season, so credit must go to all the players for what they’ve displayed in recent months to get us to this position. Now we have to go out there and seize the opportunity.

“Glasgow are a formidable opponent especially away from home, with an array of talented players who are very well coached, but we are excited by the challenge ahead of us.”

Verdict

Connacht are not going to Scotstoun at full strength, and the injury list makes this a far tougher assignment. Losing Jansen is the biggest blow of all, while the lack of experienced backline cover leaves very little room for disruption once the game starts.

However, Connacht still have enough quality to make this uncomfortable for Glasgow. If Aki can get them over the gainline, Prendergast leads the pack well, and Gilbert punishes mistakes from the tee, Connacht have a puncher’s chance.

But against a strong Glasgow side, away from home, Connacht will need close to a perfect knockout performance.

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