Royal Ascot 2025: Day 2 Preview

Royal Ascot’s second day, set for Wednesday, June 18, 2025, promises another thrilling afternoon of top-class racing at the iconic Berkshire venue. Following a dramatic opening day, Day 2 offers a blend of established stars and emerging talent, with six races on the card and the prestigious Prince of Wales’s Stakes taking center stage.

Feature Race: Prince of Wales’s Stakes

The headline event is the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, run over one mile and two furlongs and boasting a prize fund of £1 million. This race consistently attracts the best middle-distance horses in training and has a roll of honor featuring champions like Crystal Ocean, Love, and Mostahdaf. With the retirement of some recent stars, the 2025 renewal is wide open, and a new name is set to join the illustrious list of winners.

Supporting Races

Queen Mary Stakes (2:30 pm): The day kicks off with this Group 2 sprint for two-year-old fillies. Known for launching future stars, the Queen Mary often features strong international contenders, with American trainer Wesley Ward having enjoyed notable success in recent years.

Queen’s Vase (3:05 pm): A Group 2 contest over 1m6f for three-year-olds, the Queen’s Vase is a key test for future stayers. Recent winners have gone on to claim major honors in longer-distance races, making this a race to watch for up-and-coming talent.

Duke of Cambridge Stakes (3:40 pm): This Group 2 race for older fillies and mares over a mile is another highlight, often producing tight finishes and showcasing some of the best female milers in Europe.

Royal Hunt Cup (5:00 pm): One of the most competitive handicaps of the week, the Royal Hunt Cup regularly attracts a large field and is renowned for its unpredictable and dramatic finishes.

Kensington Palace Stakes (5:35 pm): A handicap for fillies and mares, rounding off the day’s action with another wide-open contest.

What to Expect

Day 2 at Royal Ascot is known for its slightly more relaxed atmosphere compared to the opening day, but the racing action remains world-class. With the Prince of Wales’s Stakes as the centerpiece and a strong supporting cast of Group and handicap races, Wednesday is set to deliver excitement for racing fans and punters alike. The weather is expected to remain warm and sunny, adding to the festival feel as the five-day meeting continues.

As anticipation builds for the Gold Cup on Thursday, all eyes will be on which horses and connections can seize their moment in the spotlight on Royal Ascot’s second day.

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