Horse racing enthusiasts in Australia are in for a treat as Seven and 7plus are set to broadcast every race from the prestigious Royal Ascot 2026 meeting. This world-class event, scheduled from Tuesday, June 16 to Saturday, June 20, will be available live and free on 7two and 7plus Sport.
Royal Ascot, held annually at Ascot Racecourse, is renowned for showcasing elite equine talent and global jockey prowess, with over £10 million in prize money up for grabs. Beyond the racing, the carnival is a spectacle of fashion, pageantry, and includes the traditional Royal Procession to mark the start of each day.
Australian Contenders Shine at Royal Ascot
The 2026 edition of Royal Ascot will feature a strong contingent of Australian runners, with sprinters like Asfoora, Overpass, and Joliestar expected to compete against international challengers. The presence of these formidable Australian horses highlights the growing global standing of Australian racing.
Adding to the Australian presence is jockey James McDonald, a celebrated figure in the racing world who has achieved five wins at the track previously. He will be joined by fellow Australian riders Zac Lloyd, Mark Zahra, and Josh Parr, who will participate across various race days, further bolstering the national representation.
Convenient Viewing Options for Australian Fans
For viewers in Australia, racing at Royal Ascot will commence nightly from 10:30 PM AEST. 7plus Sport is positioned as the ideal platform for those unable to stay up for the late-night action, offering comprehensive coverage and replays.
To accommodate all viewing preferences, replays of each day's races will be made available each morning on 7plus Sport. These replays will be easily accessible through a dedicated Royal Ascot shelf on the 7plus horse racing page, ensuring fans don't miss any of the excitement.
Expert Commentary and Broadcast Details
Lizzie Jelfs, a respected analyst for 7HorseRacing, expressed her enthusiasm for the live and free broadcast of Royal Ascot, emphasizing its status as a key event on the international racing calendar. She noted the electrifying atmosphere both on and off the track.
"It’s so exciting to have one of the world’s most prestigious racing carnivals available for fans in Australia to watch live and free on Seven and 7plus this year," Jelfs stated. "Royal Ascot is a major milestone on the international racing calendar, the atmosphere on and off the track is world class, and I’m particularly excited to see how some of the Australian thoroughbreds go against the world’s best in 2026. I will be keeping a close eye on Joliestar, Overpass and Asfoora as the Australian horses competing, as well as top Australian jockeys in James McDonald, Zac Lloyd, Mark Zahra and Josh Parr. It is set to be an amazing week of racing."
Seven's broadcast will utilize the international feed from ITV Racing, with Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani leading the coverage. They will be supported by expert commentators Jason Weaver, Megan Nicholls, and Adele Mulrennan, who will provide insights on the 35 races, including eight Group 1 contests.
Upcoming Racing Schedule
Following the Royal Ascot coverage, Seven's horse racing programming continues this Saturday with live broadcasts from Flemington for the VRC Country Race Day, Randwick for Civic Stakes Day, and Ipswich for Ipswich Cup Day. Racing fans can tune in from 12:00 PM AEST on Seven, 7two, and 7plus Sport for these events.
The broadcast schedule for Royal Ascot is as follows: TUESDAY, 16 JUNE - Royal Ascot Day One: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane - 10:30 PM live on 7plus Sport, 11:00 PM live on 7two; Adelaide - 10:00 PM live on 7plus Sport, 11:00 PM live on 7two; Perth - 8:30 PM live on 7plus Sport, 11:00 PM live on 7two. WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE - Royal Ascot Day Two: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane - 10:30 PM live on 7plus Sport, 11:00 PM live on 7two; Adelaide - 10:00 PM live on 7plus Sport, 11:00 PM live on 7two; Perth - 8:30 PM live on 7plus Sport, 11:00 PM live on 7two. THURSDAY, 18 JUNE - Royal Ascot Day Three: National - 10:30 PM live on 7two and 7plus Sport. FRIDAY, 19 JUNE - Royal Ascot Day Four: National - 10:30 PM live on 7two and 7plus Sport. SATURDAY, 19 JUNE - Randwick: Civic Stakes Day, Flemington: VRC Country Day and Ipswich: Ipswich Cup Day: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane - 12:00 PM live on Seven and 7plus Sport; Adelaide - 11:30 AM live on 7two and 7plus Sport; Perth - 10:00 AM live on 7two and 7plus Sport, 2:00 PM live on Seven and 7plus Sport. Royal Ascot Day Five: National - 10:30 PM live on 7two and 7plus Sport.




