Treve© Photo Healy Racing
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve is the star name among an exciting list of international entries for the seven Group One races at Royal Ascot.
Criquette Head-Maarek's filly was a brilliant winner of Europe's premier middle-distance prize at Longchamp in October and is due to make her eagerly anticipated return in the Prix Ganay in Paris later this week.
Assuming all goes well, she is expected to head for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting in June.
Also in contention for the 10-furlong contest are Treve's compatriots Cirrus Des Aigles and Ocovango, while Akeed Mofeed is a fascinating possible run for Hong Kong-based Richard Gibson.
Magician, Mukhadram, Trading Leather and The Fugue are also in the mix.
No fewer than 11 nations are represented amongst the entries for Ascot's Group One events.
The Hong Kong-trained winners of both Group One sprints on Dubai World Cup night, Sterling City and Amber Sky, are possible runners in the Diamond Jubilee and King's Stand Stakes respectively.
The USA is represented in the initial entries for the King's Stand Stakes by Ancil, with South African's Shea Shea another major contender.
Australia, successful four times in the King's Stand Stakes, is represented by last year's champion three-year-old sprinter Zoustar, although he is more likely to take up his engagement in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
The Queen Anne Stakes has attracted its most cosmopolitan entries ever, with eight countries represented at the closing stage.
Australia's champion miler Sacred Falls heads an international cast that also includes Hong Kong-based trio Able Friend, Gold-Fun and Blazing Speed and South African maestro Mike de Kock could saddle Soft Falling Rain.
Former USA-runner Verrazano is bound for the same race, but is now trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien.
The Queen's reigning champion Estimate is undoubtedly the star name among the Gold Cup contenders, with St Leger hero Leading Light another major hope.
The USA could be represented by Frac Daddy, a recent winner at Keeneland, whilst entries have also been received from France, Spain and Germany for Europe's long distance championship.
Nick Smith, head of communications and international racing at Ascot, said: "We are delighted to see so many continents represented and especially pleased with the depth of entries from Hong Kong after their sprinters stole the show on Dubai World Cup night.
"The entries from North America look high quality this year too.
"The new Championships in Sydney got off to a flying start over the last couple of weeks and we are very much looking forward to seeing Australia's champion miler, Sacred Falls, in the Queen Anne Stakes and, of course, Zoustar in the Diamond Jubilee.
"Arc winner Treve is the best horse in the world on official ratings so to have her headlining the Prince of Wales's Stakes is obviously excellent news and, needless to say, we will all be hoping to see The Queen's Estimate back to her best in the Gold Cup."
