Following Joliestar’s narrow miss in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m), trainer Chris Waller was politely responding to media requests when he was informed that His Majesty, King Charles III, desired an audience.
While Almeraq’s trainer, jockey, and owner were accepting their trophies after the sprinter’s upset victory, Waller, his wife Stephanie, and their children Tyler and Nikita, were being introduced to the King and Queen. Waller was a popular figure, even in defeat.
"Aussie Tom" Marquand guides Almeraq to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, saluting at $26 fixed odds in a thrilling finish! 💰👏
A huge effort from Joliestar as well, finishing with a gallant third-place finish! 🇦🇺👏 pic.twitter.com/SxlYfmWPSH
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 20, 2026
Joliestar had come tantalizingly close to a significant Royal Ascot win, but Waller maintained the demeanour of a victor.
“My only fear was to make sure she brought her Australian form to Royal Ascot – and she really did, she stood up today,” Waller declared.
“We didn’t win today but she ran very bravely. Huge accolades to the winner, it was a tough finish and she came off third best.
“But a top three finish is better than a pass mark, it is a fantastic result.”
It was English maestro William Haggas who once again broke Australian hearts, as his stable’s second stringer Almeraq, a 25/1 outsider according to leading Aussie betting sites, overtook Joliestar in the final strides.
Joliestar, the Chris Waller-trained mare and 15/8 favourite, assumed the lead around the 400m mark and resisted challengers until Almeraq, under the ride of “Aussie” Tom Marquand, produced a late run to win by a nose.
The finish was exclusively international, with less than half a length separating the top four finishers. Japan’s Satono Reve (5/2) narrowly secured second place, Joliestar was a short head behind in third, and France’s Stolen Kiss (33/1) was a head further back in fourth.
Overpass, the Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter, who had performed admirably for third in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, could not sustain that effort on Saturday. After leading until near the 400m, he faded to finish 13th, beaten by more than six lengths.
Waller and jockey James McDonald came incredibly close to securing another famous Royal Ascot win, but Joliestar’s narrow defeat means no mare has won the Jubilee Stakes this century, with the exception of Australia’s legendary Black Caviar in 2012.
“I think she has gained more admirers in defeat,” Waller continued.
“Honestly, it is a huge relief to come all this way and have her perform at her best.
“She fought out a great finish which was typical of the week. We have seen some great finishes and unfortunately that was one of them and we have just missed out.
“The cover that we expected during the race didn’t quite eventuate and left us a little bit exposed.
“But James has done a fantastic job, he got her to bounce, got her to travel, got her to quicken.
“The winner has come off our backs but she was very brave. We did ourselves proud, we almost got it.”
McDonald, who has been lauded by the British media for his superb riding at Royal Ascot this week, offered no excuses in defeat.
“Joliestar ran superbly, I am so proud of her,” McDonald said. “I do not really think anything could have gone better as it really unfolded well for us.”
Cambridge Stud’s Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, who race Joliestar, were coming to terms with their mare’s narrow loss when they were also invited to meet the King and Queen.
“She has tried her best and just wasn’t quite good enough on the day,” Sir Brendan Lindsay said.
“I came here full of hope and we have left here pretty happy. James said she slipped going down the hill and that might have been the difference because on the line she was as strong as anything.
“We would have liked to have won but we can’t be disappointed with her third.
“She tried her best and I know everyone in New Zealand and Australia are just as proud of her as we are.
“We just had a life’s experience, Jo and I just met the King and Queen. That was a real treat, a real honour. Life is not too bad.”
Haggas has had an outstanding Royal Ascot week with four winners, the Group 1 success of Almeraq his crowning achievement.
The champion English trainer played spoiler again as he has done repeatedly in Sydney in recent years.
Haggas prepared Addeybb to beat Verry Elleegant in successive Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2020 and again in 2021. Then two years later Haggas returned with Dubai Honour to win the Queen Elizabeth, ending the winning streak of Anamoe.
Verry Elleegant was reigning Australian Horse of the Year when beaten by Addeybb in 2021 and Anamoe claimed the coveted title after his loss to Dubai Honour.
Lake Forest is also a name familiar with Australian racegoers after he scored an upset win in the Golden Eagle two years ago. He finished a close fifth to stablemate Almeraq in the Jubilee Stakes.
Haggas told Racing And Sports that Almeraq is unlikely to be aimed at the $20 million The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 17.
“I doubt that would be a target for this horse. You never say never but there are some good sprints here at home we can look at,” Haggas said of Almeraq.
Haggas revealed Almeraq’s race career has been punctuated by a bad fall the sprinter had in a race at York last year. Jockey Jim Crowley was seriously injured in the incident.
Almeraq only resumed with a narrow win in the Listed Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury last month but he was in imperious form at Royal Ascot.
“As you know, Almeraq had a fall at York last year and poor Jim [Crowley] got injured,” Haggas said.
“Almeraq was pretty shook up after York. It is quite hard to fall in a race like that at speed, and for a young horse going at speed it was difficult, but we gave him a lot of time. Now, it is onwards and upwards.”
In the background, Waller was still doing media interviews. His message was the same – Joliestar was brave, he was proud of her effort and the Royal Ascot experience was memorable.
Waller was then asked to go into Royal Ascot’s celebrated winner’s room for a celebratory drink. Even in defeat, Waller was a man in demand.
The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes produced a thrilling contest, and the racing betting markets for upcoming feature races will certainly be of interest.
