Trainer Chris Waller was fielding media inquiries following Joliestar’s narrow defeat in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) when he learned His Majesty, King Charles III, desired an audience.
While the connections of Almeraq, the triumphant sprinter, were collecting their awards, Waller, accompanied by his wife Stephanie and their children Tyler and Nikita, was being presented to the King and Queen. Despite the loss, Waller remained a sought-after figure.
"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 agonizingly close to a prestigious Royal Ascot victory, yet Waller maintained an air of someone who had just won.
“My only fear was to make sure she brought her Australian form to Royal Ascot – and she really did, she stood up today,” Waller said.
“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 the English trainer William Haggas who once again dashed Australian hopes, as his second-stringer Almeraq, a 25/1 outsider according to leading Aussie betting sites, surged past Joliestar in the concluding strides.
Joliestar, the mare trained by Chris Waller and the 15/8 favourite, seized the lead around the 400m mark and resisted challengers until Almeraq, ridden by “Aussie” Tom Marquand, launched a late run to win by a nose.
The finish was exclusively international, with less than half a length separating the top four. Japan’s Satono Reve (5/2) narrowly secured second, Joliestar finished 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 replicate that form on Saturday. After leading until nearing the 400m, he faded to finish 13th, more than six lengths adrift.
Waller and jockey James McDonald narrowly missed out on another famous Royal Ascot triumph, but Joliestar’s slender defeat means no mare has won the Jubilee Stakes this century, with the notable 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, whose riding at Royal Ascot this week has drawn praise from the British media, offered no excuses for the 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 own Joliestar, were coming to terms with their mare’s near miss 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 enjoyed a highly successful Royal Ascot week, securing four victories, with Almeraq’s Group 1 triumph being his most significant achievement.
The celebrated English trainer once again played the spoiler role, a tactic he has employed repeatedly in Sydney in recent years.
Haggas prepared Addeybb to defeat Verry Elleegant in successive Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2020 and again in 2021. Two years later, Haggas returned with Dubai Honour to win the Queen Elizabeth, halting Anamoe’s winning streak.
Verry Elleegant was the reigning Australian Horse of the Year when defeated by Addeybb in 2021, and Anamoe claimed the prestigious title after his loss to Dubai Honour.
Lake Forest, a name familiar to Australian race attendees, achieved an unexpected victory in the Golden Eagle two years ago. He finished a close fifth to stablemate Almeraq in the Jubilee Stakes.
Haggas informed Racing And Sports that Almeraq is unlikely to be targeted for 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 commented regarding Almeraq.
Haggas disclosed that Almeraq’s racing career has been marked by a severe fall the sprinter experienced in a race at York last year, which resulted in jockey Jim Crowley sustaining serious injuries.
Almeraq only recommenced racing with a narrow win in the Listed Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury last month, but his performance at Royal Ascot was dominant.
“As you know, Almeraq had a fall at York last year and poor Jim [Crowley] got injured,” Haggas stated.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Waller continued to give media interviews. His consistent message was that Joliestar had been brave, he was proud of her effort, and the Royal Ascot experience was unforgettable.
Waller was subsequently invited to the renowned winner’s room at Royal Ascot for a celebratory drink. Even in defeat, Waller was in high demand.
Considering the close finish, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is shaping up to be a key race to watch this season; check out these Australian betting sites for the best odds.