Trainer Patrick Biancone is preparing for another Royal Ascot challenge after confirming that promising juvenile filly Celtic Dispute will contest next week’s Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot Racecourse.
The Florida-bred youngster secured her place at the prestigious meeting after defeating male rivals in the Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park on May 9, earning an automatic entry into one of Royal Ascot’s juvenile stakes contests. Despite having alternative options available, Biancone has elected to keep the daughter of Leinster against fellow fillies in the Queen Mary over five furlongs on June 17.
Queen Mary Stakes 2026
Speaking from Newmarket, where preparations are underway ahead of Royal Ascot, Biancone reported that Celtic Dispute had travelled well and was settling into her surroundings.
“At the moment, she’s going through the Channel. So far, so good. The news I’ve had from the travelling lad is that she’s doing good,” Biancone said.
The veteran trainer returns to Ascot with valuable experience gained from last year’s visit, when Lennilu finished a creditable third in the Queen Mary after winning the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream.
Biancone believes that experience could prove important as he attempts to improve on that result.
“I know European racing, but last year was my first runner in years. Things changed a little bit. Everything was good and we were beginning to discover things last year. This year we’ll take advantage of everything we learned last year,” he said.
While comparisons with Lennilu are inevitable, Biancone sees significant differences between the two fillies despite both being Florida-bred daughters of Leinster.
“Lennilu was more precocious. Speed. This one is less precocious, but she’s a big strong filly,” he explained. “She looks like a little rocket ship.”
One factor unlikely to trouble connections is the condition of the ground. Anticipating the possibility of softer conditions in England, Biancone arranged for Celtic Dispute to train on yielding turf at Palm Meadows Training Center following rainfall, giving her valuable experience away from firm footing.
“Last year, it was hot and dry. This year it’s raining. Typical English weather,” Biancone said. “She worked on soft ground at Palm Meadows. Palm Meadows was kind enough to let her work on soft ground. We have no concern about the weather. She likes the firm; she likes the soft ground.”
The Royal Palm series continues to produce strong Royal Ascot performers. George Weaver-trained Crimson Advocate completed a memorable double in 2023 by winning both the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and the Queen Mary. Gabaldon finished runner-up in the Windsor Castle Stakes in 2024 after winning the Royal Palm Juvenile, while Sandal’s Song and Lennilu both secured third-place finishes in Group company at last year’s meeting.
Meanwhile, this year’s Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies winner Liberty Rings will remain in the United States rather than make the journey to Britain.
Trainer Nick Palmer revealed that family circumstances influenced the decision, with the daughter of Awesome Slew instead being aimed at the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 28.
Palmer explained that the timing of a family bereavement, combined with the demands of international travel on a young horse, led connections to keep the filly at home.
Although disappointed to miss the opportunity to compete at Royal Ascot, Palmer remains optimistic about future chances to race on the international stage.
Liberty Rings earned her Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies success with a front-running victory under Miguel Vasquez after finishing third on debut at Gulfstream Park in April.
The trainer admitted he was uncertain how the filly would handle turf before the race but adopted aggressive tactics that proved decisive.
“I didn’t know how she was going to take to the turf because I’d never breezed her on the grass and she’s not bred for the grass,” Palmer said. “My thinking and Miguel’s thinking was: ‘Let’s just get to the lead and try to make them catch us.’ So that’s what we did.”
Attention now turns to Churchill Downs, where Liberty Rings is expected to step up to six furlongs in the Debutante Stakes. Palmer has been pleased with her recent preparation and believes she is progressing in the right direction ahead of the assignment.
The contrasting plans for Celtic Dispute and Liberty Rings ensure both fillies remain among the most interesting juveniles to emerge from this year’s Royal Palm series, with one preparing for the global spotlight of Royal Ascot and the other targeting domestic success in Kentucky.
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