Royal Ascot 2025 is set to deliver five thrilling days of world-class racing, fashion, and high drama. With over £10 million in prize money up for grabs and a global audience watching on, this is the most prestigious flat racing festival in the UK. Each day features at least one Group 1 race. This year’s fields are packed with international stars, classic contenders, and rising talents from the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, and beyond.
We’ve analysed the form, dug into the trends, and examined the conditions to bring you the best Royal Ascot predictions and betting tips for each of the headline races. From the speed merchants in the King Charles III Stakes to the staying legends in the Gold Cup, there’s plenty of value to be found across the card. Whether you’re backing a favourite or looking for that juicy each-way angle, our expert horse racing predictions aim to guide you through every twist of this historic meeting.
Royal Ascot Day One Betting Tips and Predictions
The Royal Ascot festival starts on Tuesday, June 17th at 2:30 pm. There are seven races on the first day, with three Group 1 events. Our focus is on the opener, the Queen Anne Stakes and King Charles III Stakes.
14:30: Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is one of the biggest races of Royal Ascot. This renewal reunites the first four from the G1 Lockinge Stakes with a £750,000 purse. A thrilling race saw Lead Artist beat Dancing Gemini by a neck, with Rosallion and Notable Speech a couple of lengths behind in 3rd and 4th. Sardinian Warrior has been in spectacular form since his debut in December 2023 with a 4-2-0 record and a C&D win, while Diego Velazquez returns after a 10-month layoff.
Queen Anne Stakes Winner – Dancing Gemini
One of our best Royal Ascot tips is for Dancing Gemini to win this race. He was unlucky when blocked in the Lockinge, losing by a neck as favourite to Lead Artist. At 6/1, there is great value on a straight win or each way.
Queen Anne Stakes Each Way Bet- Sardinian Warrior
Sardinian Warrior is our best each-way bet here, worth 7/1. His form has been excellent, and the Gosden charge has a CD win on fast ground. Things could all fall into place for this progressive and lightly raced four-year-old.
15:40: King Charles III Stakes
Another big purse is up for grabs in the King Charles III Stakes. This Group 1 race, run over 5f, is known for its speed. Asfoora returns to defend her King Charles crown after winning this race last year. She will wear blinkers this time round, however, and there is no telling whether that will be positive or negative.
Regional was just a length behind her that day and third behind Believing in the 1200m Al Quoz Sprint win at Meydan in May. This is a stiffer trip, but conditions will suit the pair. Night Raider is a speedy type and was respectable on reappearance when third in the G2 Duke of York Stakes.
King Charles III Stakes Winner – Regional
Our pick is for Regional to reverse her fortunes and score on her second try here at 9/2, anyone betting on horse racing. Ryan Moore is booked to ride, and Asfoora’s blinkers are too much of an unknown. She enjoys fast ground and was only caught late here last year.
Royal Ascot Day Two Betting Tips and Predictions
The second day of the Royal Ascot festival begins on Wednesday, June 18th. There is only one Group 1 event on the day, but it has an eye-watering purse. Riders will be fighting for a share of one million pounds.
16:20: Prince of Wales Stakes
Los Angeles is the favourite with our online sportsbook after finishing 1/2L in front of Anmaat in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. They look set for another showdown at the front here, entering with the same rating and barely separated in the betting. Ombudsman has been used sparingly and could burst through. This is his first race in Group 1 company, but the booking of William Buick is a huge boost. Map Of Stars has been excellent on reappearance after twice finishing behind Ombudsman at Longchamp last year.
Prince of Wales Stakes Winner – Anmaat
We are predicting Anmaat to win the Prince of Wales Stakes and reverse his Gold Cup performance. He won here at the end of last season in the Champion Stakes. His reappearance loss came against a much more race-fit Los Angeles. He is worth 7/2.
Prince of Wales Stakes Each Way Bet – Ombudsman
Ombudsman represents fantastic value for betting each way. The son of Frankel has looked like a Group 1 horse in the making and now gets his chance to prove it. Lightly raced and progressive, he’s handled deeper fields in France, and the booking of William Buick suggests confidence from the yard. If the favourites get carried away early on in the race, Ombudsman could pick up the pieces.
Royal Ascot Day Three Betting Tips and Predictions
The Royal Ascot returns for day three on Thursday, June 19th. This is a big day, even though only one Group 1 race takes place. The Gold Cup returns at 4:20 pm with a prize pot worth £625,000.
16:20: Gold Cup
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Illinois steps into the void left by Kyprios’s retirement. He has shown progressive form in top staying races overseas and has proven his stamina over similar marathon trips. Candelari is flying under the radar but arrives in fine form. With strong results in tough European staying contests, he’s adept at handling ground and race pace around Ascot.
Sweet William is a six-year-old lightly raced over staying trips. He recently placed in the G2 Yorkshire Cup and has shown tenacity over distance. Trawlerman is a proven stayer and fan favourite. He was a gallant second in last year’s Gold Cup.
Gold Cup Winner – Candelari
Our top Royal Ascot Gold Cup tip is for Candelari to spring a surprise. The French-trained runner arrives in terrific form. A strong traveller who finishes powerfully, Candelari is shaped like a top-class stayer in the making and should relish this stiffer test. The vibes from the yard are very positive, and this could be the year we see an overseas raider steal the crown.
Gold Cup Each Way Bet – Trawlerman
SP betting on this year’s Gold Cup reveals several interesting runners. However, Trawlerman is a proven Group-class stayer with multiple big runs at two miles. He was just touched off in this race last year and has since continued to show high-level form. He’s durable, reliable, and handles any ground. With experience and stamina on his side, he looks nailed on to be in the frame once again.
Royal Ascot Weather and Going
The week ahead looks like a scorcher, meaning fast ground is expected. With no rain forecast, we could see some incredible times and maybe even some records broken. The anticipated going for the entire week is Good to Firm.
Why is Royal Ascot So Famous?
Royal Ascot is held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, one of the most iconic and historic racecourses in the world. Established in 1711 by Queen Anne, the course has hosted centuries of elite flat racing and remains closely linked with the British Royal Family. The Royal Meeting, held every June, is the crown jewel of the flat season and is steeped in tradition, prestige, and pageantry.
The course itself is a right-handed, galloping track with a stiff uphill finish that tests a horse’s stamina and balance. It features both a straight mile and a round course, allowing for a wide range of race distances, from lightning-quick 5f sprints to gruelling 2m4f stayers’ tests.
Royal Ascot isn’t just about top-class racing. It is a cultural and social event of international renown. Each day begins with the Royal Procession, and strict dress codes preserve its sense of occasion. For many owners, trainers, and jockeys, a win here means more than anywhere else. With 8 Group 1s across five days and a truly global field, Royal Ascot is where champions prove themselves and stars are born.
