Eight runners lined up for the 1m2f showpiece on Day 2 of Royal Ascot 2025. Aidan O’Brien saddled two in pursuit of a sixth win in the race. 2023 St. Leger hero Continuous looked booked for pace-making duties, but Los Angeles was the choice of punters on the day. A Group 1 winner at two, three, and four, he arrived on the back of a typically gutsy victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Andrew Balding’s See The Fire came next in the market, following strong support on the day. Whilst finishing no better than fifth in two previous Ascot outings, she claimed the Middleton Fillies Stakes by a resounding 12 lengths on her previous outing. With Oisin Murphy in the saddle, she looked set to go well.
Anmaat had no concerns in the course and distance department, having caused a 40/1 shock in the 2024 Qipco Champion Stakes. Only a half-length behind Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, he looked like a significant threat to the favourite.
Ombudsman carried the hopes of Godolphin and the John & Thady Gosden team. One of the breakout stars during a flawless 2024, he lost his unbeaten record on his seasonal return in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes. However, he conceded weight to the field that day and looked one of the runners most open to improvement.
Karl Burke’s Group 3 winner, Royal Champion, rounded out the British and Irish challenge but looked up against it on recent form.
Facteur Cheval, twice a runner up in Group 1 events at Ascot, and Map Of Stars, who found only Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite Sosie too good on his most recent appearance, made up the French challenge.
Result
- 1st – Ombudsman 7/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- 2nd – Anmaat 5/1, Jockey: Jim Crowley, Trainer: Owen Burrows
- 3rd – See The Fire 7/2, Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: Andrew Balding
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £599,708.25
- 2nd – £227,362.50
- 3rd – £113,787
- 4th – £56,682
- 5th – £28,446.75
- 6th – £14,276.25
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £8.40
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.95, 2nd – £1.55, 3rd – £1.70
- Exacta – £47.30
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £39.20
- Trifecta – £130.90
- Tricast – £139.67
Recap
There were no surprises when the stalls opened, as Wayne Lordan and Continuous won the battle with Royal Champion for the early lead. Ryan Moore gained a prominent early position on Los Angeles. Facteur Cheval led the remaining runners, who seemed content to play a waiting game. There was around nine lengths between first and last at the first bend, with Map Of Stars and Ombudsman bringing up the rear.
There was no change in the order at the halfway stage, with Continuous setting a strong pace, stalked by Moore and Los Angeles. See The Fire, Ombudsman, and Map Of Stars all had ground to make up but looked to travel well within themselves.
Turning for home, Continuous began to run on empty as Los Angeles moved into the lead around the outside. However, it soon became clear that he would have a fight on his hands. The early challenges of Facteur Cheval and Royal Champion fizzled out, but significant threats arrived in the shape of Anmaat, Map Of Stars, and Ombudsman, who switched to the outside.
Anmaat kicked into the lead approaching the final furlong as See The Fire found space to launch her challenge against the far rail. Further back, Map Of Stars failed to pick up effectively, but Ombudsman sprouted wings once in the clear. Showing a sizzling burst of acceleration, the mount of William Buick caught Anmaat with time to spare and powered clear for a brilliant two-length success. The seven-year-old Anmaat ran a gallant race in defeat, with See The Fire 2 1/2l further back in third.
It was a fifth win in the race for John Gosden and a first in partnership with his son Thady. It represented a sixth success for Godolphin, while Buick claimed the prize for a second time.
Runners
- 1. Anmaat – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Owen Burrows, Jockey: Jim Crowley
- 2. Certain Lad – Non-Runner
- 3. Continuous – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 4. Facteur Cheval – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Jerome Reynier, Jockey: Flavien Prat
- 5. Los Angeles – SP: 13/8F, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 6. Map Of Stars – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard, Jockey: James Doyle
- 7. Ombudsman – SP: 7/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: William Buick
- 8. Royal Champion – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Clifford Lee
- 9. See The Fire – SP: 7/2, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Non-Runners
Certain Lad (unsuitable ground)