Royal Ascot 2025 will return to its hallowed turf from Tuesday, June 17 to Saturday, June 21. This five-day festival, known for its unique mix of high fashion, royal pageantry, and top-class thoroughbred racing minds, has become a world celebration of the horse.
This year’s narrative is especially compelling with the potential of an emerging next wave of talent ready to dethrone the experienced veterans who have continued to dominate the series and sport over countless seasons. Holding a record number of international entries and an impressive slate of local entries, the 2025 meeting will provide epic clashes, unprecedented milestones, and the crowning of future heroes. With 2025’s edition boasting anything from up-and-coming two-year-olds hitting the track for the first time to Group 1 winners coming back to defend their crowns, Royal Ascot 2025 is likely to provide a combination of talent, tradition, and the best in unpredictability.
Rising Stars to Watch
Fairy Godmother and Bedtime Story
Fairy Godmother and Bedtime Story have been two of the more eye-catching two-year-olds. Fairy Godmother, who had a hard run, showed great heart and agility to be crowned host of the Albany Stakes. In contrast, Bedtime Story produced a thoroughly dominant display to win the Chesham Stakes by an impressive 9½ lengths. There is amazing potential in these two fillies, and both are expected to be a force next season!
Cosmic Year & Bowmark
Two notable newcomers in the three-year-old division are Cosmic Year and Bowmark, both of whom have caught the eye of punters and analysts alike. Under the stewardship of Harry Charlton, Cosmic Year couldn’t have asked for a better debut, winning at Sandown — a performance that has seen his odds shorten sharply for upcoming Royal Ascot entries.
Similarly, guided by John and Thady Gosden, Bowmark made a statement with an emphatic victory at Kempton, marking him as one to watch in the mile division. With markets already reacting to these early-season performances, those looking to back potential breakouts can explore available Coral promo codes on SportyTrader UK to find added value ahead of the festival.
Big Evs
Big Evs, a familiar sight at the top of the sprinting pecking order, adds further spice to the SportyTrader stakes as he tackles older opposition for the first time. Competitive again on a great return at York, Big Evs seeks to emulate all those winning three-year-olds in this race.
Veteran Challengers
Kyprios
Kyprios’ domination of the staying division continues after landing the Gold Cup last year. Having won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes recently, he cemented himself as one of the best and moved up to world #2 in the international rankings, behind only the legendary Frankel.
Desert Hero
Desert Hero readies aspirations of the royal variety at Royal Ascot for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The three-year-old has already notched up some significant wins in the King George V Stakes and Gordon Stakes, and will be looking to add to the list.
Asfoora
Returning to the international scene is Australian sprinter Asfoora. In her return and second start of the campaign since winning in Australia, a sprinter with the speed and experience to trouble Europe’s best sprinters, she will tackle the King Charles III Stakes.
International Contenders
To give it a global dimension, Royal Ascot 2025 draws a powerful international gallery of competitors.
- Benedetta (AUS): Enjoyed a brilliant campaign this season and has the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in her sights as she attempts to uphold G1 glory for Australia at Ascot.
- Facteur Cheval (France): A Group 1 winner in Dubai, Facteur Cheval hopes his form will translate to the Ascot turf in the Queen Anne Stakes
- Wesley Ward’s Team (U.S.): Wesley Ward returns with juveniles Ultima Grace and Burning Pine, with all eyes on the Queen Mary and Albany Stakes.
Anticipated Showdowns
There will be some fierce contests on the cards at Royal Ascot 2025:
- Gold Cup: Kyprios defends his crown against a new wave of stayers looking to take his throne.
- King Charles III Stakes: Big Evs, Asfoora and co battle for bragging rights among the sprinters.
- Queen Anne Stakes: Facteur Cheval steps up to the plate in this opening leg of the international league.
A Fitting Finale Awaits
With heads turned towards the final furlongs and excitement bubbling, Royal Ascot 2025 is not just a display — it is a legacy in action. But these rising stars come with visions of glory, seeking to leave their mark alongside the legendary. In the meantime, veteran challengers return not just to win, but to remind us why their monikers already reverberate through the game’s storied history.
The wins are wonderful, but it is not the wins that give Royal Ascot its true magic — it is the frivolous surges, the roaring cheers, and the hushes shattered by pounding hooves that imbue Royal Ascot with its mystique. In these split seconds is where new legends are made, and old ones are confirmed.