Royal Ascot 2025 Future Winners

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I conclude my review of Royal Ascot 2025 looking at Friday and Saturday’s highlights.

Friday Highlights

The Group 1 Commonwealth Cup didn’t take much winning, with favourite Shadow Of Light and the well fancied Jonquil and Babouche both underperforming. Time For Sandals (25/1) showed a gritty attitude to fend off Arizona Blaze and French challenger Rayevka.

Whistlejacket (6th) and Big Mojo (7th) both met trouble a furlong out and deserve upgrades. Whistlejacket may prefer easier ground and looks capable of a much bigger performance. Shadow Of Light, a good third in the 2,000 Guineas, ran below par. Six furlongs on quick ground was always likely to be too much of a speed test for him.

The sprint division isn’t strong once again, and while Time For Sandals will need to improve again to win a race like the July Cup, against the older sprinters, she’s earned her place in the line-up.

There was another upset in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, with Cercene springing a 33/1 surprise. Third to Lake Victoria in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, this win franked that form. She’s tough and can remain competitive at Group 1 level, though she’s still a notch below Lake Victoria.

Zarigana looked to have the race won a furlong out, but not for the first time idled when hitting the front. She might need headgear or to be delivered right on the line if she’s to win a Group 1.

January (3rd) closed from further back than the front two and got closer to Cercene than she had in the Irish Guineas. Still improving and could reverse form with the winner should the pair meet again.

Amiloc extended his unbeaten run to five with a gutsy win in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. Looking much more straightforward than last time, and next month’s King George over C&D could now be on the agenda. He won despite not really liking the firm ground. I’m not sure how good the form is though. Zahrann (2nd) and Galveston (3rd) also ran with credit and are colts going the right way.

Eyecatcher – Friday:

Venetian Sun made the jump from novice company look effortless, landing the Group 3 Albany Stakes to make it 2-2. Trainer Karl Burke called her “the best juvenile filly I’ve trained” — high praise from a man who’s produced Laurens and Fallen Angel to win Group 1’s as 2-year-olds. She’s a serious contender for Group 1s later this season and one to follow.

Cajole – John & Thady Gosden

Produced a career best when second in the Sandringham Handicap, beaten a length by Never Let Go. She hit the front inside the final furlong but hung right, possibly due to the fast ground, and was collared late. A win should be forthcoming, provided the handicapper doesn’t go overboard.

Saturday Highlights

Lazzat and Satono Reve served up a cracking finish in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with French challenger Lazzat just holding on after making all down the centre. Satono Reve, bidding to give Japan a first Royal Ascot winner, had every chance but couldn’t quite get past late on. Once again, the race underlined the lack of elite UK and Irish sprinters with the front two simply much better than the rest

Humidity stepped up to 7f and emulated his full brother Holloway Boy by winning the Listed Chesham Stakes. He has a big stride backed up by the RaceIQ data and scope to stay a mile and should be a player for the autumn’s top juvenile races.

Rebels Romance, a dual Breeders Cup Turf winner and a Group 1 winner in Germany, Japan & Meydan gave Charlie Appleby a much-needed Ascot win with a decisive success in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes. A model of consistency at the top level, the 7-year-old only lacks a domestic Group 1 to complete a stellar CV.

You might have noticed I haven’t highlighted the winner of the Group 3 Jersey Stakes. Well the field looked weak going into the race and the contest didn’t do anything to change my view.

Eyecatcher – Saturday:

Purosangue – Andrew Balding

Back from a short break Purosangue could never land a blow in the Wokingham Handicap from midfield, when a 4¼ lengths 9th of 28 to Get It. He’ll likely drop a pound or two after this run.  It worth noting his best two RPR’s have come on rain softened ground, and his York record is 212. One to keep onside when underfoot conditions suit.

Royal Ascot 2025 Verdict

I think Royal Ascot gets it right. It’s not cheap but neither is the Cheltenham Festival. And unlike the latter crowds were up on last year. Royal Ascot continues to deliver whereas Cheltenham doesn’t, and you don’t have to put up with the five-month Cheltenham Festival build up either.

Top class racing, each race ultra-competitive and ITV Racing deserves credit for providing an excellent showcase, covering all 35 races live for those who couldn’t attend in person.

Highlights of the Week

Field Of Gold’s turn of foot to win the St James’s Palace Stakes was the highlight of the week.

Trawlerman’sGold Cup victory was a staying masterclass even Kyprios at his peak might have struggled to match him on Thursday.

The Gosden yard bounced back in style with three Group 1 wins, while Aidan O’Brien, despite dominating the two-year-old Group races, returned home without a Group 1.

It was also good to see smaller yards like Ed Walker and Harry Eustace get on the scoreboard, a welcome contrast to the trainer monopoly we often see at Cheltenham.

On the Downside

Not much in truth. The firm ground caught out many fancied horses, a worrying trend for the breed in Britain and Ireland. There’s a clear need for more robust horses that can handle fast summer ground.

Punting Verdict

It was a small loss overall for Royal Ascot 2025. Too many seconds: Rosallion, Hammer The Hammer, Satono Reve, Nurburgring to name just four. One or two of those win, and it’s a profitable week. So, it was a case of close but not close enough at Royal Ascot 2025.

No column on Wednesday as I am away on Tuesday. I’ll be back on Thursday to preview Saturday’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Good luck with your Tuesday bets.

John