Royal Ascot 2025: Day Three Live

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.

Recent Winners

2024 Replay

Key Players

Aidan O’Brien has had the unplaced favourite two of the last four years. The Irish trainer will look to land his first winner since Sioux Nation in 2017 with Charles Darwin, who enters off victories at Navan and Naas.

No French horse has won the Norfolk Stakes since its name was changed from the New Stakes in 1973. Henri-Francois Devin will attempt to become the first with Chantilly newcomer winner Afjan. He is one of four sons of Mehmas in the race, alongside First Legion, Wise Approach and Ameeq.

Wathnan Racing has had a strong start to the week and the team sends out Naval Light, runner-up at Beverley on debut behind Windsor Castle eighth Old Is Gold.

Two of the last three winners have been priced at 50/1 (The Ridler) and 150/1 (Valiant Force). The outsider of the field this year is Wolverhampton runner-up Irish Fighter.

Selections

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.

Recent Winners

2024 Replay

Key Players

William Haggas and Tom Marquand combined to win this race for King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2023 with Desert Hero. They combine again this year with Merchant for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, who won this race 17 years ago with Colony.

Two horses that have beaten Merchant, Gunship and Lightening Mann, reoppose here. Gunship is in receipt of one pound for a short head win, while the Australia-bound Lightening Mann meets Merchant on the same terms despite winning by a length last month.

Sing Us A Song was purchased by Wathnan Racing after he made most to win a handicap at Sandown over 1m 2f. His pedigree suggests he should stay all day.

Aidan O’Brien has never won this race but hopes to break through for a first victory with Serious Contender or Propose. Coolmore’s major rivals Godolphin are represented by first-time gelding Masai Moon.

Selections

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.

Recent Winners

2024 Replay

Key Players

Catalina Delcarpio was a luckless second in the G3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan last start. The winner of that race, Wemightakedlongway, finished fourth in the G1 Oaks at Epsom.

G3 Musidora Stakes runner-up Serenity Prayer finished a long way behind Oaks runner-up Whirl at York. Her dam finished down the track in this race in 2019.

Aidan O’Brien has three runners as he seeks to become the most successful trainer in the race’s history. Among them is Ecstatic, the first foal out of 2018 Ribblesdale winner Magic Wand, as well as Naas Listed winner Garden Of Eden and Group 3-placed Island Hopping.

American celebrity chef Bobby Flay is represented by Musidora third Go Go Boots.

Selections

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.

Recent Winners

2024 Replay

Key Players

Last year’s G2 Queen’s Vase winner Illinois, twice a runner-up at Group 1 level, seeks his first win at the highest level in the Gold Cup. He steps up beyond 1m 7f (3000m) for the first time after the retirement of stablemate Kyprios.

Trawlerman was second to Kyprios last year. He matched his career peak rating in his latest win in the G3 Henry II Stakes. He is joined by last year’s third Sweet William, although he was five lengths from Trawlerman 12 months ago.

Candelari has won four of his five starts, including the newly upgraded G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at 3100m last month.

Upset G2 Dubai Gold Cup winner Dubai Future, beaten 30 lengths behind Candelari last start, is among the other contenders.

Selections

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.

Recent Winners

2024 Replay

Key Players

Raafedd makes his handicap debut for William Haggas. He was a big winner of a Newbury novice last out and is one of two runners for Sheikh Ahmed, alongside Haydock Silver Bowl winner Teroomm.

Brave Mission is closely related to American Grade 1-winning miler Juliet Foxtrot. He is one of many who looks likely to relish a mile.

Arabian Story, who began his career in Dubai over the winter, won handily at Chelmsford at his British debut.

La Botte, in the blue and lime green colours of the late Col McKenna that will be instantly recognisable for Australian punters, was a huge winner at Newcastle two back before finishing fourth in a Listed race last start.

Selections

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.

Recent Winners

2024 Replay

Key Players

Detain and Trinity College were only narrowly beaten in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club last start. Hunting Horn was the last winner to come out of the Prix du Jockey Club in 2018.

Jackknife is bound for Australia later this year. He was third behind an Idol Horse Future Idol in Opera Ballo last start over a mile.

High Stock was second in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester and has been held back for this race.

Tornado Alert ran well in both the G1 2,000 Guineas and the G1 Derby and he drops back in grade here.

Selections

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.

Recent Winners

2024 Replay

Key Players

English Oak won the race easily last year and returns off only 1lb higher in the ratings. His form behind Royal Hunt Cup winner My Cloud last start looks strong now.

Never So Brave is having his second start for Andrew Balding. He is aiming to become the second horse out of last year’s G3 Jersey Stakes to win at Royal Ascot this year.

Gleneagle Bay has not won since his debut but he has run some terrific races, including a short neck third in the Victoria Cup at the track and trip last month. He makes his debut in the Amo Racing purple.

Selections

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