US racing fans are in for a real treat with the news that ‘people’s horse’ Ten Bob Tony is set to try his luck in the Breeders’ Cup Mile a week on Saturday.
Ed Walker’s flashy cool chestnut was a gallant second to Talk of New York in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
After the race, connections weren’t sure if that was their star done for the year.
But this morning Walker told me: “All being well Ten Bob Tony will be on the plane to Keeneland. He’s going.
“He’s come out of the race really well and there’s no reason for us not to go.”
Once rated just 84, Ten Bob Tony has been a revelation in 2026, winning a Group 3 at Epsom before being given a peach by Kieran Shoemark to land the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Since then, he’s finished fourth in the Sussex Stakes behind Bow Echo, fourth to Notable Speech (over an inadequate 7f) in the Group 1 City of York, second in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin behind Erdenali and then his runner-up spot at the weekend. What a legend.
With his Apache-like looks, Ten Bob Tony has without doubt become a crowd pleaser, and many at Keeneland won’t have seen a horse like him.
Walker added of his 20-1 shot: “It was incredible the round of applause Ten Bob Tony got at Ascot when he came in. The people have really taken to him, and it honestly felt like he had won. He’s a very popular horse.”
Waiting for Ten Bob Tony will be fellow classy Europeans in True Love, Blue Bolt and defending champion Notable Speech.
Walker is also mulling over plans for his Solario Stakes winner Alfred Wallace.
He continued: “Alfred Wallace is in the Futurity at Doncaster and he could go there or to Saint-Cloud. We will look for the smallest field and would love to get him Group 1 placed as he’s so well bred (by Dubawi out of a Frankle mare).”
As for the future of Walker’s Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Almaqam there is some hope he might stay in training next season.
“I’d love to train him next year but have heard nothing yet. As everyone knows we’d just love to get a season where he might be able to race on some soft ground.”
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