The Royal Ascot Festival stands as the pinnacle of the British flat racing season, blending world-class sport, royal tradition, and vibrant social scenes into five unforgettable days.
In 2025, the event returns from Tuesday, 17th June to Saturday, 21st June at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, drawing more than 250,000 racegoers and millions of viewers worldwide.
With 35 races, including eight Group 1 contests and a prize pot of £10 million, the festival promises drama, elegance, and the thrill of elite competition.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or simply want to soak up the spectacle, here’s your complete guide to every race, every day, with timings, TV details, and a flavour of what to expect from each contest.
Tuesday 17th June – Opening Day: A Triple Group 1 Showcase
The festival launches with a bang, featuring three Group 1 races that set the tone for a week of high-calibre action.
The gates open at 10:30am, the Royal Procession sweeps down the straight at 2:00pm, and the first race bursts from the stalls at 2:30pm.
2:30pm – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1, 1m, 4yo+)
The curtain-raiser, named after Ascot’s founder, is a mile-long test for older horses.
It’s a stage for proven milers to assert dominance, with past winners like Frankel and Charyn.
Expect a tactical race where experience and acceleration count.
3:05pm – Coventry Stakes (Group 2, 6f, 2yo)
A proving ground for two-year-old colts, the Coventry often reveals future stars.
The field is packed with raw talent, and the winner here frequently becomes a name to remember in the seasons ahead.
3:40pm – King Charles III Stakes (Group 1, 5f, 3yo+)
This premier sprint attracts the fastest horses from around the globe.
Blink and you’ll miss it – five furlongs of flat-out speed, with international raiders and homegrown flyers vying for Group 1 glory.
4:20pm – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1, 1m, 3yo colts)
A highlight for three-year-old colts, this race often features a rematch of classic contenders.
It’s a tactical mile that rewards both stamina and a sharp turn of foot.
5:00pm – Ascot Stakes (Handicap, 2m4f, 4yo+)
A stamina-sapping handicap over two and a half miles, this race is a puzzle for punters and a test of endurance for runners.
Large fields and varied form lines make it a lively betting heat.
5:35pm – Wolferton Stakes (Listed, 1m2f, 4yo+)
A listed contest for older horses, the Wolferton is often fiercely competitive, with seasoned campaigners and up-and-coming types looking to land a prestigious prize.
6:10pm – Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap, 1m6f, 4yo+)
The day concludes with this staying handicap, a relatively new addition that has quickly become a favourite among punters.
Expect a wide-open contest and a rousing finish to the opening day.
Wednesday 18th June – Prince of Wales’s Day: Middle-Distance Majesty
Wednesday is anchored by the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, one of the richest and most prestigious middle-distance races of the season.
The day also features competitive handicaps and juvenile contests.
2:30pm – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2, 5f, 2yo fillies)
A sprint for precocious fillies, the Queen Mary is all about raw speed.
It’s a chance to spot the next sprinting star among the juveniles.
3:05pm – Queen’s Vase (Group 2, 1m6f, 3yo)
A test of stamina for three-year-olds, the Queen’s Vase often attracts horses with future staying ambitions.
It’s a race that can point to future Gold Cup contenders.
3:40pm – Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2, 1m, 4yo+ fillies and mares)
This contest gives older fillies and mares a chance to shine over a mile.
It’s a tactical affair, often decided in the final furlong.
4:20pm – Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1, 1m2f, 4yo+)
The centrepiece of the day, this Group 1 is a magnet for the best middle-distance horses from Britain and abroad.
With a £1 million purse, it’s a race where reputations are forged and champions emerge.
5:00pm – Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo+)
A huge field lines up for this mile handicap, making it one of the trickiest puzzles for punters.
Draw, pace, and luck all play their part in a race where surprises are common.
5:35pm – Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap, 1m, 4yo+ fillies and mares)
A competitive handicap restricted to older fillies and mares, this race is a relatively new addition but has quickly become a staple of the midweek card.
6:10pm – Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed, 5f, 2yo)
The day ends with a dash for two-year-olds, where speed and precocity are rewarded.
It’s a lively way to close out the Wednesday action.
Thursday 19th June – Gold Cup Day: Tradition and Endurance
Thursday, known as Ladies’ Day, is synonymous with the Gold Cup, the oldest and most storied race of the meeting.
Fashion and racing combine for a unique spectacle.
2:30pm – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2, 5f, 2yo)
A sprint for two-year-olds, the Norfolk is a platform for speedy juveniles to make their mark. Winners often go on to bigger things later in the season.
3:05pm – King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 1m4f, 3yo)
A big-field handicap for three-year-olds, this race is a test of both class and stamina, often producing a close finish.
3:40pm – Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo fillies)
This race gives three-year-old fillies a chance to shine over a mile and a half.
It’s often a stepping stone to top-level staying races.
4:20pm – Gold Cup (Group 1, 2m4f, 4yo+)
The Gold Cup is the week’s centrepiece, a marathon that crowns the champion stayer.
Legends are made here, and the race is a highlight for fans of endurance and drama.
5:00pm – Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo colts and geldings)
A mile handicap for three-year-olds, the Britannia is always fiercely contested and a favourite among punters for its competitive nature.
5:35pm – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3, 1m2f, 3yo)
A Group 3 for three-year-olds, this race often features horses stepping up in class and distance.
It’s a good guide to future middle-distance stars.
6:10pm – Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap, 7f, 3yo+)
The only seven-furlong handicap of the week, the Buckingham Palace Stakes is a fast and furious finale to Ladies’ Day.
Friday 20th June – Coronation and Commonwealth: A Double Group 1 Bill
Friday is packed with quality, featuring two Group 1 races: the Commonwealth Cup for sprinters and the Coronation Stakes for fillies.
It’s a day that blends speed, class, and competitive handicaps.
2:30pm – Albany Stakes (Group 3, 6f, 2yo fillies)
A sprint for juvenile fillies, the Albany is a platform for emerging talent.
It’s a race where future Group winners often first catch the eye.
3:05pm – Commonwealth Cup (Group 1, 6f, 3yo)
Introduced in 2015, the Commonwealth Cup has quickly become a top target for three-year-old sprinters.
It’s a fast and furious contest, often featuring horses who have excelled over shorter trips.
3:40pm – Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap, 1m4f, 3yo+)
A popular handicap over a mile and a half, this race attracts a mix of progressive and seasoned handicappers, making for a competitive field.
4:20pm – Coronation Stakes (Group 1, 1m, 3yo fillies)
A mile contest for three-year-old fillies, the Coronation Stakes often brings together the best from the English, Irish, and French Guineas. It’s a true test of class and speed.
5:00pm – Sandringham Stakes (Handicap, 1m, 3yo fillies)
A big-field handicap for three-year-old fillies, the Sandringham is a tricky puzzle for punters and a chance for lesser-known horses to shine.
5:35pm – King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo colts)
Known as the ‘Ascot Derby’, this race is a key target for three-year-old colts who may have run in the Derby or are stepping up in trip. It’s a race rich in history and quality.
6:10pm – Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap, 5f, 3yo)
The day ends with a five-furlong dash for three-year-olds, a relatively new but already popular contest that always delivers a thrilling finish.
Saturday 21st June – The Grand Finale: Jubilee Day
The festival’s final day is a celebration, with the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes as its centrepiece.
The card is stacked with competitive races, ensuring the week ends on a high.
2:30pm – Chesham Stakes (Listed, 7f, 2yo)
A seven-furlong test for two-year-olds, the Chesham often highlights horses bred for stamina.
It’s a race where future classic contenders can emerge.
3:05pm – Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f, 4yo+)
A Group 2 for older horses over a mile and a half, the Hardwicke is a prestigious contest that attracts some of the best middle-distance talent.
3:40pm – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1, 6f, 4yo+)
The week’s last Group 1, this six-furlong sprint is a magnet for top-class sprinters from around the world.
It’s a fitting climax, with international runners often adding extra spice.
4:20pm – Jersey Stakes (Group 3, 7f, 3yo)
A race for three-year-olds over seven furlongs, the Jersey often features horses dropping back from a mile or stepping up from sprint distances. It’s a tactical and open contest.
5:00pm – Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 6f, 3yo+)
A huge field lines up for this six-furlong handicap, making it one of the week’s most competitive and unpredictable races.
5:35pm – Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap, 1m2f, 3yo)
A newer addition to the schedule, this ten-furlong handicap for three-year-olds is a springboard for progressive types looking to make a name.
6:10pm – Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions, 2m5½f, 4yo+)
The festival closes with the longest race in the British flat calendar.
The Queen Alexandra is a true test of stamina, endurance, and determination, a fitting end to five days of exceptional racing at the Royal Ascot Festival.
How to Watch Royal Ascot 2025
Every race will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX, with coverage starting at 1:30pm and running through to 6pm each day.
The final race of the day will be shown on ITV4 and is also available via Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing, with live streaming available through bookmaker websites for account holders.
International viewers can catch the action on NBC (US), ESPN (Latin America), SuperSport (Africa), and other major networks, with global coverage reaching 180 territories.
Conclusion
Royal Ascot Festival 2025 promises five days of world-class racing, royal pageantry, and a vibrant social scene.
From the opening Queen Anne Stakes to the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes, every race offers its own story, drama, and chance for new heroes to emerge.
Whether you’re watching from the stands or from home, the festival is a celebration of sporting excellence and tradition.
Mark your diaries, study the form, and get ready for an unforgettable week at Ascot.
BETFRED
