It is that time of year once again, horse racing fans: Royal Ascot 2025 is finally upon us.
It will start on June 17 and will run through June 21, with the world’s best horses, jockeys, and trainers competing for the coveted titles in some of the most famous and prestigious races in the sport.
As we prepare for it and evaluate the details, the article dives deep into the event so that the fans and betting enthusiasts can prepare their slips and make the most of the most popular week in horse racing.
And with all that in mind, an exclusive insider interview awaits you in the article, as the online casino and sportsbook platform Stake has sat down with the legend of the sport, none other than their partner and Global Racing Ambassador, Frankie Dettori, to discuss Royal Ascot 2025 and beyond.
So if you enjoy horse racing and placing a few bets on the most popular races, keep on reading to find out more and get expert opinion from the record holder, who is now a fan and spectator just like the rest of us.
Stake and Dettori Exclusive Interview: What was Said?
Stake is always on the spot and first to bring the fans the latest in their favourite sports right before major events take place.
Thanks to their smart collaborations and ambassadors across multiple sports, they manage to surprise fans with exclusive interviews with their favourite athletes who enjoy sitting down with the sportsbook and talking about what is to come.
This time around, Frankie Dettori came over to share his thoughts, pick some winners, and usher in the incredible week.
A very diverse event is upon us with horses from all over the world, so get a preview of the insightful Frankie Dettori Exclusive Royal Ascot Interview with Stake.
To start things off, the sportsbook interviewer asked the legendary jockey how he would sup and describe Royal Ascot as an event, to which he simply said:
“It is our Olympics,” adding, “It is the best that racing provides to the general public, it only comes around once a year, and attracts interest from all over the world, not just in England and Europe.”
And it truly does feel like the summer games, despite being annual.
Everything around it is spectacular, with the races only being one part of the whale experience. Dettori continued, “There are Australians, Americans, and Japanese as well. This is what people get involved in racing for: they want to have a horse that is good enough to go to Royal Ascot.”
He also touched upon the Royal Family and the glamour of the event. “The Royal Family plays a big part, the dressing up, the crème de la crème of horse racing to boot as well.”
He concluded that it is “a range of five days of extraordinary racing for everybody.”
Stake asked him whether the event had always been front and centre of his mind in the yearly calendar.
It is an important week in every season, so it makes sense for the best jockeys to count the days before it starts.
Frankie revealed that it was, “but not just for me, it is the same for most of the trainers and owners too.” It is one of those things you start waiting for next year as soon as it starts.
Comparing it to other events, he said, “The Derby is one race, for example, and you know if you have a horse good enough. But then everything else in the stable, you have to work out and figure out who is going where and how you prepare for each race.”
There sure is a lot of logistics to go around. “Basically, as soon as March [starts],” Frankie continued, “the serious work starts, and you focus on Royal Ascot and deliver for the owners.
“They want to be a part of it, everybody has the same mindset.” He added that the race comes early in the season and that the Classics and the Royal Ascot are always the goal.
Talking about other countries and the sport, Stake.com asked Frankie about Japan and if he thought they would be the next superpower in horse racing.
Dettori answered that they could be, saying, “I’m not going to say lucky for us because it is great they are coming over, but they are very much focusing on the Asian side.”
The land of the rising Sun has historically been great at equestrian sports, and Frankie agrees that it is “quite a trek for them to come over here, but they have a nice sprinter coming over on Saturday in Satono Reve.”
Giving an example, the legend shared, “Every time they send a horse to the Middle East, they are pulverising most of the races,” and how they are also solid in Australia, which is much closer.
“It is 30 or 40 years of investment in their stud programme, they are very competitive in the world.”
Talking about the sprinter’s chances in the Jubilee, Dettori said, “The sprinting division is wide open this year [because] there is no Black Caviar.” He “would not be surprised if he ran a big race.”
A very interesting topic arose when the two sides talked about watching the races as a fan.
Stake asked how he was handling not riding but only watching the races, to which Frankie answered in his style, saying, “I won’t lie to you, I do have the little devil on my shoulder that tells me ‘one more time!”.
He truly loves his craft! However, he added, “I just didn’t think that this year or last year would have been appropriate, but I will be coming over with a little anxiety feeling that I could have ridden.”
Frankie’s Ascot Predictions
Now for the big thing: Frankie Dettori’s predictions, so it is easier to bet on the latest horse racing events.
For the Queen Anne Stakes, he said, “I really like Rosallion, he ran a super race last time, and I would also put in the American horse Carl Spackler. I was second to him at Jeeneland, and he absolutely destroyed me.”
For the King Charles III Stakes, he said, “You can name ten in here, but I have gone quite boring with last year’s winner, Asfoora. I think she is head and shoulders above.”
And for the St James’s Palace Stakes, Dettori said, “This is probably the best race of the week,” adding, “I would like to see my old boss (John Gosden) win it with Field Of Gold, and I think he will.”
The Prince of Wales Stakes was not an issue for him, “I am going to stick with the obvious one, Los Angeles. He stays well, has a big heart, Ryan Moore will make him prominent.”
With the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup, Dettori said that, since “Aidan O’Brien’s runner Kyprios is out and has left a big hold, they are relying on Illinois.”
However, he is sticking with the horse that loves Ascot, “he’s not Stradavarious, but Trawlerman is as solid as a rock. John trained him for this race this year.”
For the Commonwealth Cup, he is going with Shadow of the Light, saying, “This is my NAP in the Group 1s of the week.”
The Coronation Cup made the jockey reminisce a bit, as he said, “This is my last Royal Ascot winner, it took me years to get it, in this race.”
Talking winners, he revealed that “Zarigana is my pick, she was a lucky winner of the Grench Guineas, but she is a top class filly.”
And for the Jubilee Stakes, “I like Inisherin, Kevin Ryan’s horse.”
Dettori’s longshot of the week is Billy Loughnane riding Oliver Show in the Royal Hunt Cup.
And lastly, the banker of the week is Willie Mullins, and his runner in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, Sober.
Now that you have that first-hand information on your side, and important advice and predictions by Frankie, why not evaluate the odds and prepare for the races?
When the legend of the sport gives such an interview, picking the right winners is a breeze.
Royal Ascot or not, you should be encouraged to wager in the next few days when the whole world lives and breathes horse racing.
For more insightful analyses from the man himself, check out Frankie Dettori’s Interview for the 2025 Epsom Derby.
Frankie Dettori Facts and Trivia
Racing Legacy: Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori was born on December 15, 1970, in Milan, Italy.
He is the son of Italian jockey Gianfranco Dettori, a 13-time champion jockey in Italy. Horse racing has always run in the family.
He currently lives in the USA and has five children with his wife, Catherine Allen.
Famous for the “Magnificent Seven”: On September 28, 1996, rather early in his career, Dettori rode seven winners in a single day at Ascot.
It was, and still is, an unprecedented achievement in modern British racing, and it made him an instant legend and earned him a statue at the course.
Signature Flying Dismount: Frankie is famous for his exuberant “flying dismount” celebration, where he leaps off the horse after a win.
It is a crowd favourite and one of the most recognisable moves in all of equestrian sports.
Multiple Classics Wins: Dettori has won numerous Classic races in the UK, including the Derby, 2000 & 1000 Guineas, St Leger, and the Oaks.
He has also won major races in France, the USA, Dubai, and beyond. He is a true living legend of the sport.
Royal Ascot Legend: As of 2024, Dettori has amassed over 80 Royal Ascot winners, which now makes him one of the most successful jockeys in the history of the prestigious event.
Plane Crash Survivor: In 2000, Dettori survived a private plane crash that killed the pilot.
He was lucky to walk away with only minor injuries that did not impact his riding.
Brief Retirement in 2023: He announced plans to retire in 2023, but then changed his decision and continued riding.
He is especially active in the United States, but continued to ride globally in 2024 and now in 2025.
Honour and Recognition: In 2000, he was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to horse racing and as an ambassador of his country.
Royal Ascot FAQs
What is Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world.
It takes place annually at the iconic Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, and is a blend of elite horse racing, royal tradition, and high fashion. Celebrities and high-profile individuals are often in the crowd.
When does Royal Ascot take place?
Royal Ascot typically runs over five days in mid-June, usually from Tuesday to Saturday.
In 2025, it is currently taking place. It started on June 17 and will run until June 21.
Why is it called ‘Royal’ Ascot?
Ascot has had strong ties to the British Royal Family since its founding in 1711 by Queen Anne.
It is attended by the monarch and other royals annually, who often arrive in horse-drawn carriages during the Royal Procession ceremony.
It is as much about pageantry, tradition, and fashion as it is about racing. Style meets sport, and the royal presence adds a level of grandeur unmatched by any other similar event.
How many races are held during Royal Ascot?
There are 35 races across the five days, including 8 Group 1 races as the highest level in flat racing.
What are the most famous races at Royal Ascot?
Notable races include the Gold Cup (Thursday) as the top long-distance race, the Queen Anne Stakes (Tuesday) named after the founder, and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Saturday), a top sprint race.
What is the dress code for Royal Ascot?
Dress codes tend to vary by enclosure. In the Royal Enclosure, men must wear morning dress with top hats, while women wear formal daywear with hats.
Other enclosures are more relaxed but still very stylish.
Can anyone attend Royal Ascot?
They actually can, although not everyone realises it. While the Royal Enclosure invitation only, tickets are available for the Queen Anne Enclosure, Village Enclosure, and Windsor Enclosure.
Each of them offers a different view and atmosphere for the attendees.
How much prize money is awarded?
Royal Ascot is the richest race meeting in Britain, with a £10 million total prize pool.
It has always drawn in top horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the world, mainly the USA, Australia, Ireland, France, and Japan, often competing.
