Royal Ascot 2025 Day One: Race Times, Star Runners & Betting Clues to Watch

Royal Ascot 2025 Day One: Race Times, Star Runners & Betting Clues to Watch

Dust off your top hat, steady your binoculars, and brace yourself for a flutter—Royal Ascot 2025 is officially underway, and Day One promises a spectacular curtain-raiser. It’s the sort of afternoon where world-class horses, highly strung trainers, and thousands of sharply dressed spectators all collide under the Berkshire sun in pursuit of racing immortality—and ideally, a few profitable punts.

The opening day of this iconic five-day festival is jam-packed with Group 1 showdowns, returning champions, and youthful promise, all set against the traditional pomp and pageantry that only Royal Ascot can deliver. And while the carriages roll and the champagne flows, the more pragmatic among us are scouring racecards and hunting for value.

If you’re fancying a flutter, take note: William Hill are offering new customers a very tidy Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets deal, and there’s no better time to use it than Day One of Ascot. You might not leave with a trophy, but free bets always soften the blow of a close photo finish.

The Opening Day Schedule: From Mile Battles to Staying Duels

The day kicks off at 2:30pm with the Queen Anne Stakes, a Group 1 contest over a straight mile. It sets the tone for a quality-laden card and brings together many of the same stars who clashed in the Lockinge Stakes.

At 3:05pm, the Coventry Stakes provides the first big test for the juveniles—two-year-olds stretching their precocious legs in a fast and furious Group 2 sprint over six furlongs.

The sprinters then take the spotlight at 3:40pm in the King Charles III Stakes, another Group 1 affair run over five furlongs, with several familiar faces returning from last year’s edition.

The headline act at 4:20pm is the St James’s Palace Stakes, where the classic winners of England, Ireland and France go toe-to-toe for mile supremacy.

Later in the afternoon, the Ascot Stakes at 5:00pm provides a stamina-sapping challenge over two miles and four furlongs. That’s followed by the Wolferton Stakes, a Listed race at 5:35pm, before the stayers return for the Copper Horse Stakes at 6:10pm, rounding off a marathon card in style.

Queen Anne Stakes: Lockinge Rivals Renew Hostilities

The opening act may have a traditional name, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about the field lining up. This year’s Queen Anne Stakes brings together the top quartet from the recent Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, with Rosallion and Notable Speech leading the charge.

Both colts are rated a muscular 122 and come here with lofty reputations. Trailing just behind are Lead Artist at 120 and Dancing Gemini, who clocks in at 119. While the front two are expected to go head-to-head again, there’s value to be had in a few of the lesser-spoken names.

Take Sardinian Warrior, for instance, or Docklands and Quddwah—each has proven themselves over Ascot’s straight mile, which might be more important than any shiny rating. And then there’s Carl Spackler, making his UK debut under Ciaron Maher. One to keep a sneaky eye on—perhaps ideal if you’ve still got a William Hill free bet tucked away.

King Charles III Stakes: The Return of the Speedsters

There’s no time for tea after the Coventry, because at 3:40pm, the King Charles III Stakes flies into view. This Group 1 sprint over five furlongs reunites last year’s contenders—and this time, they all seem to have unfinished business.

Asfoora, the defending champion, returns to defend her crown against familiar foes, including runner-up Regional, Believing (who was fourth), and Kerdos, who crossed the line in fifth. And if that’s not enough, this year’s field is bolstered by exciting four-year-olds Starlust and Night Raider, both full of potential and short on patience.

William Buick is on board Mgheera, who arrives in fine fettle after a victory in the Temple Stakes, dispatching the likes of Washington Heights, American Affair, Rumstar, and Twilight Calls in the process. With so many of these connected via recent form lines, you could do worse than follow the Temple form—just don’t expect any of them to hang around once the gates fly open.

St James’s Palace Stakes: Guineas Champions Clash at 4:20pm

You want a race that defines a generation? Step forward the St James’s Palace Stakes, which has arguably stolen the entire week’s spotlight. Here we find Ruling Court, winner of the English 2000 Guineas, facing Field Of Gold, who took top honours in Ireland, and Henri Matisse, fresh from conquering the French version.

It’s rare enough to have one Guineas winner in a race. Three? That’s Ascot giving the punters a gift—and if you’ve claimed those William Hill free bets, this is the race to use one on. The betting narrowly favours Field Of Gold, with Colin Keane taking over in the saddle as Juddmonte’s new retained jockey.

Tactics will be everything, especially with Windlord and First Wave also in the mix, both more than capable of exploiting a slip in pace. With Newmarket form on the line and rivalries heating up, it could be a defining moment for this year’s three-year-old crop.

Day One Betting Trends: Stats Worth Noting Before You Punt

While backing favourites in top hats might sound like a plan, punters know trends can be just as revealing as form—so here are a few key clues from the Day One data files.

In the Queen Anne Stakes:

History has a soft spot for four-year-olds—nine of the past 12 winners were that age. Seven of those 12 had already tasted Group 1 success, and the same number went off as the market favourite. Ascot experience helps too: seven of the last eight had won at the course previously. Rosallion, for those keeping score, ticks every single box.

For the King Charles III Stakes:

No fluke winners here. Every one of the last 12 had already triumphed in group company, with seven owning a Group 1 title. A high rating is essential—11 of 12 winners had at least 112 on the card. If you’re backing a four- to six-year-old rated 112+ who ran in the Temple Stakes, you’re not far off the money.

In the St James’s Palace Stakes:

This one favours the fresh. Nine of the last 12 winners had never raced at Ascot before, and eight had already claimed Group 1 glory. A win last time out is a positive—seven of 12 had done just that—while six of 12 had come directly from the Irish 2000 Guineas, suggesting the Curragh form might just be king.

Final Thoughts: Start as You Mean to Go On

There’s no easing in at Royal Ascot 2025—Day One comes out swinging with Group 1s aplenty and storylines bursting from every racecard. Whether you’re studying the form with a pencil and pint or simply betting names that sound like posh cocktails, it’s a glorious day to get involved.

With William Hill’s Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets promotion for new customers, there’s never been a better time to test your instincts and throw your trilby into the ring. From returning champions to rising stars, the racing gods have given us a proper treat—and if you play your cards right, the bookies might just help pay for the prosecco.

Good luck, and may your picks run true—even if your hat doesn’t stay straight.