Horse Racing: Our Favourites to Win at Royal Ascot 2025
by Joseph King
While it doesn't hit the heights in prize money of events such as the Dubai World Cup or Breeders' Cup Classic, the Royal Ascot is still considered one of the most important racing events on the calendar. Known for its high class and high fashion - with the extravagant hats and headpieces often drawing plenty of attention - Royal Ascot attracts roughly 250,000 spectators over the five-day race week.
It’s also an event that brings out the royalty (hence the name), with a tradition of the British Monarchy attending that is still going strong today. In fact, this year marks the 200th anniversary of the first ever Royal procession at the Ascot Racecourse. King Charles has stated that he plans to attend all five days of the 2025 Royal Ascot, upping from the four days he attended last year.
SportyTrader’s experts in sports predictions have highlighted a few of the more intriguing horses to keep an eye on over the coming week!
Storm Boy - Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
One of the top horses to watch during the upcoming week is the Australian-bred Storm Boy. He’s expected to take part in the King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday, although it’s the latter in which he’s been attracting more attention. One look at his pedigree and it’s easy to see why this four-year-old colt is generating so much buzz; he is sired by the great Triple Crown winner Justify.
With Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien and experienced jockey Ryan Moore, who has over 70 Royal Ascot wins in his career, there’s a lot to like about Storm Boy’s chances. This has seen his odds steam down from around 16/1 to 6/1 in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee and he's certainly going to be one to keep an eye on in that race.
Rosallion - Queen Anne Stakes
Ireland-bred Rosallin is a previous winner here in Berkshire, having conquered the King Charles event in last year’s edition of the Royal Ascot. That means the four-year-old colt is sure to attract plenty of attention and bets this time around. It’s reflected in the odds, as Rosallin is listed as the current favourite to win the Queen Anne Stakes at around 3/1.
This thoroughbred has an excellent track record at Ascot, with two wins from two starts (2023 Pat Eddery Stakes, 2024 King Charles). That makes Rosallion one of the top contenders to grab first place in the curtain-raiser Queen Anne Stakes and it wouldn’t be a surprise if this colt wrapped up another win at this racecourse.
My Cloud - Royal Hunt Cup
Competing in the Royal Hunt Cup, a cavalry charge handicap race which takes place on Wednesday, My Cloud is the favourite to take the top position. While it’s always tough to pick a winner in a massive field race such as this, there’s a strong case to be made for this horse. My Cloud comes into this event on an impressive three-race winning streak which includes an Ascot one-mile win.
My Cloud is simply much better than the handicap weight he has been assigned and rightly holds the position as favourite. While his starting position draw will be important, a good outcome there could seal the victory. And at odds of around 5/1, there’s a good enough payout to make this worth the risk.
Anmaat - Prince of Wales's Stakes
Anmaat is expected to battle it out with the race-favourite Los Angeles for the top spot and the majority of the 1,000,000 prize pool in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday. The six-year-old Anmaat comes in with plenty of big race experience. He’s proven that he can win at this course after taking down the Champion Stakes over the same 1 ¼ mile distance in October of 2024.
There’s a strong argument that Anmaat should be at least even odds with Los Angeles, with the latter lacking an Ascot Group 1 win. With a price of 7/2, the value looks to be on this Ireland-bred gelding.
