Royal Ascot 2025: Day 1 Recap

The 2025 Royal Ascot opened in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, June 17, delivering high drama, standout performances, and a sun-drenched start to the world-renowned five-day festival in Berkshire. With three Group One races on the card, the first day set the tone for what jockey William Buick called “the biggest five days in our sport”.

Docklands Steals the Show in Queen Anne Stakes

The meeting began with a dramatic upset in the Queen Anne Stakes, as 14-1 shot Docklands edged out the favorite, Rosallion, by a nose in a thrilling photo finish. Trained by Harry Eustace and ridden by Mark Zahra—who lost his whip in the closing stages—Docklands surged late to claim victory, with 100-1 outsider Cairo finishing third. The win marked Eustace’s third Royal Ascot triumph and was especially sweet after Docklands finished second in this race last year. Zahra joked about the incident, saying, “Everyone kept alarming me with the whip regulations, so I figured it was simpler to toss it away at the 200-meter mark”.

Field Of Gold Dominates St James’s Palace Stakes

The day’s headline act came courtesy of Field Of Gold, who justified his status as the 8-11 favorite by storming to a commanding victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Under Colin Keane, the grey colt accelerated away at the two-furlong pole, ultimately winning by three and a half lengths from Henri Matisse, with Ruling Court a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third. Field Of Gold’s performance was described as “lighting up the Flat season,” and Keane, new to the Juddmonte team, admitted the sense of relief after delivering on such high expectations.

American Affair Claims King Charles III Stakes

In the King Charles III Stakes, American Affair struck a blow for Scotland and trainer Jim Goldie, clinching victory and adding another layer of international flavor to the day’s proceedings. The race featured a strong field, including last year’s champion Asfoora from Australia, but it was American Affair who prevailed, underscoring the unpredictable and global nature of Royal Ascot competition.

Heatwave and High Stakes

The opening day unfolded under clear skies and rising temperatures, with the course preparing for a heatwave expected to push temperatures to 29°C by Saturday. Organizers implemented measures to keep horses cool, including ample water and ice, and maintained good-to-firm ground conditions for safety. The festival is set to welcome around 270,000 attendees over the week, all vying for a share of the £10 million prize pool across 35 races, including eight Group One contests.

Other Notable Results and Storylines

Haatem landed the Wolferton Stakes for Wathnan Racing, providing a consolation win for trainer Richard Hannon after Rosallion’s narrow defeat in the opener.

The day was not without hard-luck stories, as several runners found trouble in running, highlighting the competitive nature of Ascot’s big fields.

The fashion and pageantry of Royal Ascot were in full swing, with both tradition and innovation on display among racegoers.

As the festival continues, all eyes turn to Thursday’s Gold Cup, where Illinois will face seven rivals in one of the meeting’s most prestigious staying contests.

The 2025 Royal Ascot is off to a memorable start, with breathtaking finishes, dominant favorites, and a festive atmosphere promising more excitement in the days ahead.

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