Royal Ascot 2025: Day 2 & 3 Recap

The 2025 Royal Ascot meeting continued to deliver high drama and world-class racing on Days 2 and 3, with established stars and emerging talents lighting up the Berkshire turf. Here’s a comprehensive recap of the key moments and winners from both days.

Day 2 Highlights (Wednesday, June 18)

Day 2 featured a competitive card with several thrilling finishes and notable performances. Among the standout moments:

Crimson Advocate stormed home to claim a second Royal Ascot victory, surging from last position under James Macdonald in a dramatic finish. Cinderella’s Dream was just denied, finishing second, with Fallen Angel taking third. Running Lion, who led into the final furlong, faded to fourth.

The day also saw Raheem Shackleton Scandinavia and Hallelujah feature prominently in the Queen’s Vase, with the race ultimately decided in the closing stages.

Other notable performances included Soprano making a bold bid up the running rail and Cinderella’s Dream showing strong form before being caught late.

The competitive spirit and quality of racing set the tone for an exciting week, with international contenders and home-trained stars vying for top honors.

Day 3 Highlights (Thursday, June 19)

Day 3 was headlined by the prestigious Gold Cup and featured a mix of Group races and fiercely contested handicaps.

Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

Charles Darwin (8/13F), trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, justified his short price with an authoritative win, knuckling down well in the final furlong to hold off Wise Approach (10/1) and Sandal’s Song (9/1). Charles Darwin is now being aimed at the Breeders’ Cup after this impressive performance.

King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Merchant (3/1) delivered for favorite backers, surging late to overhaul Serious Contender (7/1) and long-shot Pantile Warrior (40/1) in a thrilling finish.

Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)

Garden Of Eden (7/1) produced a strong rally under Ryan Moore, pulling clear in the final furlong to defeat Understudy (40/1) and Catalina Delcarpio (2/1), confirming herself as a filly to follow for the remainder of the season.

Gold Cup (Group 1)

Trawlerman (85/40) went one better than last year, holding off the challenge of Illinois (9/4) in a tactical renewal of the meeting’s feature staying race. Dubai Future (28/1) stayed on for third.

Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Arabian Story (15/2) came out on top in a big field, with La Botte (7/1), Fearnot (12/1), and Dividend (50/1) filling the places.

Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Trinity College (5/2) proved too strong, stretching away in the closing stages to win from Tornado Alert (9/1) and Glittering Legend (11/1).

Buckingham Palace Stakes

Never So Brave (4/1) landed the finale, with Akkadian Thunder (7/1) and Holguin (16/1) following him home in a competitive handicap.

Summary

Days 2 and 3 of Royal Ascot 2025 delivered on all fronts: high-class performances, dramatic finishes, and a mix of established stars and future champions. Charles Darwin’s Norfolk Stakes win marked him as a two-year-old of real potential, while Trawlerman’s Gold Cup triumph provided a fitting highlight to the week’s centerpiece event. The meeting continues to showcase the very best of flat racing, with more action and storylines set to unfold as the festival progresses.

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