With two thrilling days already in the books, 2025 Royal Ascot hits its stride on Thursday, and the hunt for winners shows no signs of slowing.
Day 3 brings one of the week’s most anticipated contest, the Ascot Gold Cup, a true test of stamina and class over 4014m.
This year’s renewal sees Ballydoyle’s rising star Illinois take centre stage, as trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore look to repeat their success with Kyprios, the two-time champion who dazzled in last year’s edition.
The field is stacked with top-tier stayers, promising a race rich in drama and tactical intrigue.
Let’s take a closer look at the standout races!
Ascot - Race 1 11:30pm AEST
No. 3 Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin heads into the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes as the hot favourite, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who’s already had two-year-old success this week.
The son of No Nay Never brained his rivals two starts back when dashing clear to win over 1170m at Navan by 5.5 lengths.
He backed that up last start when he put away a small field of four at Naas easily by 3.25 lengths.
He boasts speed and power and can buck the 17-year trend of favourites not winning this race.
Royal Ascot - Race 2 12:05am AEST
No. 6 Sing Us A Song
Sing Us A Song arrives at Royal Ascot for the King George V Stakes in good form after returning with a strong win at Sandown over 2002m.
The son of Camelot settled in front and then produced plenty when challenged in the straight to win by 2.25 lengths.
Given he is seven weeks between runs, his trainer Ralph Beckett who won this race in 2021 and 2024 looks to have made this a target race.
The rise in distance looks ideal.
Royal Ascot - Race 3 12:40am AEST
No. 10 Serenity Prayer
Serenity Prayer impressed two starts back when debuting with a strong 1.5 length win over 2012m at Newbury.
The Andrew Balding-trained filly gave a good account of herself last start in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes when doing her best work late to finish 5.5 lengths second to Whirl.
That form has been franked with Whirl finishing second in the Group 1 Epsom Oaks at her next start.
Serenity Prayer looks to have more improvement to come and will enjoy the rise in trip.
Royal Ascot - Race 4 1:20am AEST
No. 8 Illinois
The retirement of Kyprios has blown this year’s Group 1 Gold Cup wide open.
Illinois looks to be Aidan O’Brien’s replacement for Kyprios and a fine replacement he is.
The son of Galileo returned in fantastic order last start when winning the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes over 2692m at Chester.
Last year he proved too strong in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase during the Royal Ascot Carnival before narrowly going down in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris Stakes and Group 1 St Leger Stakes.
He maps to get an economical run for Ryan Moore.