Royal Ascot 2025: The Full Day Three Wrap

Welcome to Idol Horse‘s live coverage of Day 3 of Royal Ascot.

Check out the storylines to watch from Andrew Hawkins, David Morgan and Jack Dawling ahead of the third day.

Preview

Royal Ascot 2025: What To Watch For On Day Three Of The Royal Meeting

Stay tuned throughout the card as this page updates with results and post-race analysis from the Idol Horse team.

2025 G2 Norfolk Stakes

The G2 Norfolk Stakes is the oldest of the juvenile races at Royal Ascot with a history dating back to 1843. This race is all about pure speed and it has unveiled some top future sprinters.

Results

Analysis

It was all about Charles Darwin. The betting market had him as the day’s good thing, backed heavily to 8-13 favouritism to the exclusion of almost anything else and he didn’t disappoint. The colt rocketed from the stalls and led in the early stages, clocking sub-11 second fractions through the second and third furlongs. Afeeq took him on and led narrowly, but that didn’t last long, and it was the American raider Sandal’s Song who then pressed the Ballydoyle colt two and a half furlongs out. But Ryan Moore shook the reins, started to push and Charles Darwin kept on galloping, changing his legs and maintaining momentum powerfully as his two challengers weakened to third and fourth. Godolphin’s Wise Approach ran on to take second. The win gave Moore, trainer Aidan O’Brien, and the Coolmore partners victory in each of the meeting’s first three major two-year-old races.

The Quote

Ryan Moore (jockey, Charles Darwin): “Very professional horse, super attitude, he jumped very quick, showed good speed, I was just trying to control him the best I could. They came to me at about the two and a half and I asked him to go and he picked up well. Very good horse. He’s got a good brain, he’s obviously a very mature and strong two-year-old. He’s doing everything right, doing everything really lovely, so couldn’t be happier with him. He gets six (furlongs).”

The Stat

Only one horse has won the Norfolk Stakes at Ascot in a faster time than Charles Darwin’s 58.87s – his sire No Nay Never won in 58.8s in 2013. The only faster Norfolk Stakes came when it was run at York.

Replay

Recent Winners

2025 King George V Stakes

The King George V Stakes is the premier three-year-old staying handicap of the week. It often throws up a future Group-class stayer and has become something of a hunting ground for Australian buyers in recent years.

Results

Analysis

William Haggas-trained Merchant justified favouritism with a strong effort from beyond midfield to land the prestigious staying handicap for three-year-olds. A solid, sustained tempo set initially by Serious Contender and then Ammes ensured a fair pace that gave every horse their chance. Early in the straight, Merchant only had five behind him and seemed buried in the pack, although a weakening Masai Moon allowed jockey Tom Marquand to switch over heels and come to the outside. It took time for Merchant to wind up as Pantile Warrior swept to the lead ahead of him, but once he hit top speed, he raced on by for a fairly comfortable success. Serious Contender fought back for second and Pantile Warrior held down third.

The Quote

Tom Marquand (jockey, Merchant): “The one thing I would say is that win is because of William, he was very sure on how he wanted me to ride him and that was with a lot of confidence. And it’s very easy to do when you know you’ve got a good horse under you, which we know with this chap, he’s improving, he’s got a great mind. Albeit we were back, we had a very smooth passage and William was so right in riding him in that way. (The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes) is a big step up, but he’s on that trajectory and one thing I was very confident in him today was his mind. He doesn’t let you down and he went down to the start like he was at Chepstow on a Monday, which at Royal Ascot is such a big asset.”

William Haggas (trainer, Merchant): “I think he’s improving and that’s what every trainer wants, a nice improving three-year-old: who knows how far he’ll go? But he’s going in the right direction. But a lot of people don’t understand what trainers go through. Yesterday the horse coughed 10 times at exercise, (he’d) never coughed at all. Then the seeds of doubt, the sleepless nights: are we doing the right thing? Do I tell Harry? No, no: yes, we’re doing the right thing, we must run, the horse is fine. Then going into the saddling box the horse has slipped just as he’s going in, he then held his leg, the left hind as we were saddling, so then we went out, trotted him up twice and I said to Tom, ‘If you’re not happy with him at the start, take him out.’ Couldn’t tell anyone, we’ve got 50 people here. But it’s not all plain sailing and when they win it’s absolutely fantastic and I’m thrilled to bits.”

The Stat

Harry Herbert’s Highclere Thoroughbred Racing became the King George V’s most successful owner with their fifth win in the race. Merchant joined Heritage (1997), Beekeeper (2001), Admiral (2004) and Colony (2008). Godolphin, with whom Highclere has held the record since 2022, subsequently acquired Beekeeper and Colony.

Replay

Recent Winners

2025 G2 Ribblesdale Stakes

The G2 Ribblesdale Stakes is a bridge between the G1 Oaks and the G1 Irish Oaks, while also giving fillies who are slightly later maturers an opportunity to take that next step into better company. The quality of the race can vary wildly year on year.

Results

Analysis

It’s not unusual to see an Aidan O’Brien runner setting a strong pace, nor is it rare for one to blast so far ahead of the field that it seems a pointless exercise. Island Hopping came into the latter category as she galloped along 10 and 12 lengths clear of the field under Dylan Browne-McMonagle, but it all worked out for the Ballydoyle camp. When Island Hopping was headed and swamped at the top of the straight, it was her stablemate Garden Of Eden, under Ryan Moore, who picked up best of all, saw off the rail-running race favourite Catalina Delcarpio, and powered to the line to give both trainer and jockey their sixth wins in the race. 

The Quote

Ryan Moore (jockey, Garden Of Eden): “She was very impressive, she’s just been gradually improving. Aidan kept saying every time she steps up (in distance) she’d get better. We went a hard pace, we got a bit detached, she kind of dropped the bridle and just ran in snatches. Billy (Lee) sneaked round the inside (on Catalina Delcarpio) and I asked her to quicken … and she quickened very well. Typical of Aidan, he just keeps making them better.”

The Stat

Aidan O’Brien became the outright most successful trainer in race history with his sixth success in 11 years. O’Brien sat alongside John Dunlop, Saeed bin Suroor and John Gosden on five wins before Thursday.

Replay

Recent Winners

2025 G1 Gold Cup

The G1 Gold Cup is Britain’s most prestigious staying contest. Dating back to 1807, it is arguably the race around which the whole week is centred – literally, in that it is the middle race of the entire festival, and figuratively. A stirring test of stamina, it is the race which features the most multiple winners.

Results

Analysis

The retirement of Kyprios provided the opportunity for a new staying star to emerge. Perhaps it was only fitting that Trawlerman, who was second to Kyprios last year but who also boasted a win over him in the Long Distance Cup, was able to reign supreme in the G1 Gold Cup this year. Not only was John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old clearly the superior stayer, racing clear at the end of the gruelling 2m 4f test for a seven-length victory, but he was the beneficiary of an inch-perfect marathon ride from William Buick. The jockey went straight to the front, dictated terms at an even tempo, increased the pace heading out of Swinley Bottom and gradually accelerated through every furlong from the mile. Even as long-time favourite Illinois switched out to make his run on the turn, Buick was travelling sweetly enough to think that the result was likely beyond doubt. So it proved as Trawlerman quickened stoutly and he stayed powerfully to stop the clock in 4:15.02 – clearly a race and course record. The disappointment was Candelari, who was under pressure six furlongs out and weakened to be beaten almost 30 lengths.

The Quote

William Buick (jockey, Trawlerman): “He’s a great horse. We tried it last year and we were only beaten by the great Kyprios. He’s been such a good horse, he’s so genuine. John and Thady’s horses are in great shape. I was so happy with this fellow when he won at Sandown so he had a beautiful prep into this and he was so smooth throughout the race. He’s really what you want in a two-and-a-half mile race. I didn’t have to touch the brakes once, he was in a nice rhythm and he was relaxed. He went on autopilot, he knows his own speed and I was just the passenger.”

John Gosden (co-trainer, Trawlerman): “He just goes off. William said, ‘He can judge pace better than me.’ Off they went together, they picked it up from five out on the basis that we know he stays and if anyone is going to go by him, we know they’ll be winning the race. They never got to him though because he simply outstayed them. He’s a wonderful old horse, he’s a favourite of the team, he’s a part of the furniture really.

“He ran Kyprios to a length last year and they were both all out. I think he deserved that, to show that he’s a proper horse without Kyprios here. We like the Cup races – the great thing is that you can have a cup of tea and a coffee and a chat halfway through. It’s great though to have these wonderful staying horses for the future of racing in England, Ireland and France. I remember Lester Piggott riding Sagaro and Ardross, horses that could stay and quicken and Trawlerman is like that.

“(About it being William Buick’s first Gold Cup) Really? I didn’t know that. Well, I’m pleased. He has been with me a very long time, fabulous jockey. Couldn’t have executed any better.”

The Stat

Trawlerman is the first horse in 20 years to win the Gold Cup the year after finishing second. Westerner was second to Godolphin’s Papineau in 2004 before winning in 2005. Before that, it was Sadeem in 1987 before his “win” in 1988 – however, Sadeem was second past the post in 1988 behind Royal Gait, who was disqualified. Coincidentally, the 1988 Gold Cup was the last time the overall time broke 4:16.

Replay

Recent Winners

2025 Britannia Stakes

The Britannia Stakes is the equivalent of the Royal Hunt Cup for three-year-olds. In the last decade, it has gained a reputation as a Hong Kong shopfront as many runners have been bought for their Derby the following March. Docklands became the first ever Britannia winner to return and take the G1 Queen Anne Stakes with his victory on Tuesday.

Results

Analysis

La Botte was the well-touted favourite but his backers had an anxious and ultimately disappointing watch as Jamie Spencer had to plot a run from deep that wasn’t the clearest and brought defeat by a neck in a tight finish. Ahead of him, always prominent, Oisin Murphy plotted a clearer route on Arabian Story, with both the winner and second racing down the stands side after the field split into two within the first furlong but had spread right across the track with a furlong and a half to race. Arabian Story had debuted in the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial at Meydan in January and broke his maiden at the third attempt at Chelmsford in late May: his Britannia win was his first start on turf and the colt battled past third-placed Fearnot, then held off La Botte’s late run. This race is often a source of Hong Kong classic series contenders, but the winner is likely to stay in the Godolphin blue. This was Saeed bin Suroor’s 40th Royal Ascot winner.

The Quote

Oisin Murphy (jockey, Arabian Story): “Saeed told me a couple of weeks ago that I should go to Chelmsford to ride him in a novice. He said he has a very nice horse and after his novice win Saeed said, ‘How good is he?’ and I said I like him and he said let’s go to the Britannia, so this plan was a long time coming. The horse was perfect and I’m delighted to win.”

Saeed bin Suroor (trainer, Arabian Story): “We took him to Dubai and physically he improved a lot. He was better on turf and Oisin gave him a great handy ride, Oisin is the best jockey in the world, he’s different class. I used to have 250 horses in the past and all of the quality. Now we have around 30 horses in the stable, the majority of them are old – Dubai Future is a nine-year-old but is still trying hard – and the young ones are still backward. We try the best we can.” 

The Stat

The last Arabian Story to race in Britain was not a Royal Ascot winner but was raced by Queen Elizabeth II. A winner of the Listed Steventon Stakes at Newbury, he finished sixth in the 1997 Melbourne Cup. He last raced on Irish point-to-point tracks in 2002.

Replay

Recent Winners

2025 G3 Hampton Court Stakes

The G3 Hampton Court Stakes has had a variety of names since it was first established. It has been run under its current guise – as a 1m 2f contest for three-year-olds in which Group 1 and Group 2 winners are ineligible – since 2002.

Results

Analysis

Trinity College had not finished further than two lengths from the winner in four stakes outings to date, including a length fourth to stablemate Camille Pissarro in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club earlier this month. Like at Chantilly, he led but this time around, with Ryan Moore in the saddle, he powered clear to win by three and a half lengths. Tornado Alert, under James McDonald, shadowed Trinity College early. He raced up to challenge and got on terms early in the straight but was no match late. The two leaders avoided a messy ruck in behind – Harry Davies on Sea Scout bumped the already unruly Reyenzi, who overreacted badly and caused bad interference to High Stock. Detain, who finished ahead of Trinity College in France, was a beaten horse with two furlongs to run and weakened to finish 10th.

The Quote

Ryan Moore (jockey, Trinity College): “It was a good performance. We did most of the work on him, he likes being ridden that way. He was able to get into a good rhythm, picked up well, quickened, he was impressive. We’re still learning about him but he could improve a bit more.”

Aidan O’Brien (trainer, Trinity College): “Ryan just got it exactly spot on. He will have a lot of options now, he could be an Eclipse horse, he could be an American Derby horse. He’s improving, we always thought he was a high-enough class horse last year but things didn’t fall for him. He’s matured and he’s stronger now too.”

The Stat

All five Irish winners of this race have been trained by Aidan O’Brien – Moscow Ballet (2004), Indigo Cat (2005), Hunting Horn (2018), Russian Emperor (2020) and Trinity College (2025).

Replay

Recent Winners

2025 Buckingham Palace Stakes

The Buckingham Palace Stakes was established as a seven-furlong handicap in 2002. It was removed from the card in 2015 and replaced by Friday’s G1 Commonwealth Cup but returned when extra handicaps were added in 2020.

Results

Analysis

The action developed up the stands side with only three of the 27 runners remaining on the far side and one – Ramazan – coming up the centre solo. James McDonald on Divine Libra led at fast fractions and set the race up for closers. Oisin Murphy was travelling strongly on favourite Never So Brave and just required the right breaks. He was able to shift to the outside rail and sprint through just inside the two-furlong marker and the horse exploded through the gap, lengthening stride beautifully. He pulled two and a quarter lengths clear of another fast finisher, Akkadian Thunder. The final time was only just outside the course record, set by Hickory last month in winning the Victoria Cup.

The Quote

Oisin Murphy (jockey, Never So Brave): “I was always going so comfortable, I never panicked because I was sat on so much horse. It opened up lovely for him on the rail. He’s a good horse, his work at home has really been much better than a handicapper. All the lads were very confident in the yard, I think it was a lot of their money that made him favourite.”

The Stat

Arabian Story and Never So Brave gave Oisin Murphy his third Royal Ascot double. His first, in 2021, included Andrew Balding-trained Alcohol Free in the Coronation Stakes; his second, in 2024, included Wild Tiger for Saeed bin Suroor in the Royal Hunt Cup. His double on Thursday represented both trainers.

Replay

Recent Winners

The Idol Horse team will return for Day 4 on Thursday. ∎