SportHorse racingRoyal AscotTen Bob Tony, trained by Ed Walker, became the biggest priced winner of the Queen Anne Stakes since Garrick triumphed at the same odds in 195015:20, 16 Jun 2026There were gasps of disbelief on the opening day of Royal Ascot when the first race was won by a 50-1 shot. The Group 1 £800,000 Queen Anne Stakes is the traditional curtain-raiser for five days of fabulous horse racing.‌Godolphin’s Notable Speech was the 9-4 favourite to end a lengthy losing streak for trainer Charlie Appleby at the race meeting. But though Appleby saddled three of the nine runners, including well fancied Opera Ballo, he drew yet another blank.‌While Opera Ballo made a spirited attempt to make all the running under jockey Billy Loughnane, he was eventually caught and passed by Ten Bob Tony who beat More Thunder by half a length. Opera Ballo was third and Notable Speech only sixth, his third defeat at Ascot.‌“For whatever reason, he just doesn’t turn up here,” lamented Appleby afterwards.Ten Bob Tony, trained by Ed Walker and ridden by Kieran Shoemark, became the joint biggest priced winner of the prestigious mile race, equalling the odds returned by Garrick in 1950.Shoemark said: “He travelled superbly. I didn’t think we were going over-quick. We wanted to ride him to run well. He’s clearly in a great vein of form, and came here off the back of his victory at Epsom two weeks ago. I am somewhat surprised but really delighted.”‌Just over 12 months ago Shoemark was dumped from a high profile role with John and Thady Gosden after he was defeated, finishing second, on race favourite Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas.He has formed a new association with Walker, for whom he partnered Almaqam to Group 1 success last month.Article continues belowThe jockey said: “I’m riding for a great stable in Kingsdown Stables, Ed Walker and his team. They do a superb job and prep these horses amazingly. There’s a lot of good ones there.“We thought he wanted easy ground but it’s genuine good to firm.”Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Ed WalkerQueen Anne StakesRoyal AscotAscot racecourse