Royal Ascot 2025: Five stars to watch

By definition, Royal Ascot showcases star performers throughout its festive week. Here’s one to watch for each of the five days.

Tuesday – Field of Gold in St James’s Palace (G1)

Juddmonte homebred Field of Gold is odds-on to gain revenge on Ruling Court, who benefited from a better ride to upstage him in the 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket. With a jockey switch to Colin Keane next time out at the Curragh, Field of Gold bolted up in the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) to stake his claim as the leading three-year-old miler. The St James’s Palace (G1) promises to be the definitive rematch. 

Wednesday – Cinderella’s Dream in Duke of Cambridge (G2)

The featured Prince of Wales’s (G1) is usually the place to go for the star of the day, but the market is much more one-sided in the preceding Duke of Cambridge (G2). Godolphin’s Cinderella’s Dream is all the rage to follow up on her annihilation of the Dahlia (G2) last time out. Although the Charlie Appleby filly is shortening up to a mile, she figures to get her preferred quick conditions. U.S. fans will remember her exploits from last season, including an unlucky second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

Thursday – Illinois in Gold Cup (G1)

The recent retirement of all-time great stayer Kyprios has opened the door for his younger stablemate Illinois to try the Gold Cup (G1). Suddenly thrust into the role of favorite, the Aidan O’Brien colt has the class. The uncertainty is whether he will stay the testing 2 1/2-mile trip. The master of Ballydoyle is keeping the faith in Illinois, a Galileo half-brother to 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) romper Danedream.

Friday – Zarigana in Coronation (G1)

If France has several serious chances over the course of the meeting, Zarigana is the one attracting the most antepost action as the clear Coronation (G1) favorite. A granddaughter of unbeaten Zarkava, the late Aga Khan’s homebred was just awarded the victory in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) (G1) via disqualification. Zarigana tends to cut it close, but she keeps hinting that there’s more up her sleeve. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard preferred to target this mile feature rather than stretching out for the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1). 

Saturday – Kalpana in Hardwicke (G2)

While two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) champion Rebel’s Romance is the most decorated veteran in the Hardwicke (G2), Juddmonte’s Kalpana has budding star written all over her. The Andrew Balding filly ranks among the leading antepost fancies for the Arc, and her comeback third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) – to Prince of Wales’s principals Los Angeles and Anmaat – was full of merit. Kalpana had other options, but Balding reportedly wanted to see her back up to her optimal 1 1/2-mile trip here.