Royal Ascot 2025: Start Times, Race Schedule, Runners, Weather & Odds

Royal Ascot 2025: Start Times, Race Schedule, Runners, Weather & Odds – Everything You Need to Know

It’s that time of year again when top hats are dusted off, fascinators are delicately skewered into place, and the polite roar of the Berkshire crowd signals the start of the most regal racing week on the calendar—yes, Royal Ascot is back.

The five-day festival kicks off this afternoon, and some 250,000 spectators are expected to descend upon Ascot Racecourse over the course of the week. That’s a lot of picnic hampers, champagne corks, and hopefully, a few winning betting slips thrown in for good measure. If you’re one of the many tuning in or turning up, here’s everything you need to know about Royal Ascot 2025—from race times and runners to the latest odds and even the weather.

And while you’re marking your card, don’t forget that leading betting site Parimatch is offering new customers a tempting Bet £5 Get £30 in free bets—perfect timing if you fancy a flutter without risking your shirt.

The Festival Begins: When and Where?

Royal Ascot 2025 begins today, Tuesday 17th June, and runs through to Saturday 21st June. The meeting takes place, naturally, at the majestic Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. It’s been described by champion jockey William Buick as “the biggest five days in our sport”, and with £10 million in prize money up for grabs across 35 races—eight of which carry the prestigious Group One status—it’s easy to see why.

Each day consists of seven races, beginning at 2:30pm BST sharp and finishing just after 6pm, by which time hats are usually skew-whiff and most of the crowd is deeply invested in whether their 33/1 outsider “just needed one more stride”.

Race Times and Format: The Full Week in Narrative Form

Each day at Ascot has its own rhythm, starting with a bang and easing into competitive handicaps and listed contests later in the afternoon. Today, the action starts with the Queen Anne Stakes, a Group One mile contest at 2:30pm. Expect the likes of Rosallion to go head-to-head with the clock and a field of top-level milers.

Following that, the Coventry Stakes offers a blistering six-furlong dash for the two-year-olds at 3:05pm, before the five-furlong King Charles III Stakes, another Group One affair, takes centre stage at 3:40pm. The St James’s Palace Stakes—perhaps the day’s most eagerly awaited clash—unfolds at 4:20pm, where Field Of Gold and Ruling Court reignite their fierce rivalry.

Late afternoon features the Ascot Stakes over a stamina-sapping two miles and four furlongs at 5pm, a Listed contest in the Wolferton Stakes at 5:35pm, and the day wraps up with the extended one-mile-six-furlong Copper Horse Stakes at 6:10pm.

And that’s just Tuesday.

Wednesday begins again with a bang at 2:30pm via the Queen Mary Stakes, and continues with a succession of top-class contests, including the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at 4:20pm. Thursday brings the famed Ascot Gold Cup—a true test of staying power—also at 4:20pm, while Friday showcases the Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes.

By Saturday, energy levels may be flagging but the quality doesn’t drop. The day opens with the Chesham Stakes at 2:30pm and builds to the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at 3:40pm, followed by the final flurry of top handicaps to close out the meeting.

The Big Names: Runners, Riders and Odds to Watch

As far as headline acts go, Rosallion is the one to beat in today’s Queen Anne Stakes, priced around 2/1, and trained by the ever-reliable Richard Hannon. In the King Charles III Stakes, Believing is attracting attention at 9/2, especially with Ryan Moore doing the steering.

The St James’s Palace Stakes could well be the race of the day, with Field Of Gold at 5/6 ready for revenge on Ruling Court (10/3), who got the better of him at Newmarket in the 2,000 Guineas. Field Of Gold’s trainer, John Gosden, has suggested that his charge is more than ready for round two—so expect sparks.

Looking ahead to Thursday’s Gold Cup, the bookies’ favourite is Illinois from the Aidan O’Brien stable, priced at 13/8, though both Trawlerman and Candelari (both 7/2) may offer decent opposition—and some free bet bonus punting opportunities if you’re playing with bookmaker perks like those from Parimatch.

A Regal Runner: The Royal Family’s Entry

It wouldn’t be Royal Ascot without a Royal runner—and this year’s comes in the form of Reaching High, owned by King Charles and Queen Camilla. The gelding lines up in the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday and, trained by none other than Willie Mullins, currently holds a price of 4/1. That’s not to be sniffed at, especially with a trainer who’s better at plotting winning paths than a sat-nav in Knightsbridge.

Sunshine, Suits and Sunscreen: The Weather Outlook

For once, Ascot’s got lucky with the skies. A full week of sunshine is forecast, and as the days go by, things are only getting warmer. By Saturday, it’s expected to hit 30 degrees—which should be good news for horses who like it firm underfoot and spectators with a G&T in hand. Just remember that silk-lined morning suits and sweltering heat may not mix particularly well, so pack your talc accordingly.

Tickets: Still a Chance to Attend?

If you’ve not yet secured your spot trackside, you’re cutting it a bit fine—but not impossibly so. Tickets are still available for all five days, though availability is extremely limited. So if you fancy joining the sea of linen jackets and vintage fascinators, you’ll need to act quickly.

Watching from Home? You’re Sorted

For those who prefer the view from a well-positioned sofa with racing pages strewn about and a laptop full of live odds, ITV1 and ITVX have it covered. The entire meeting is free-to-air, with daily broadcasts beginning at 2:30pm BST.

Whether you’re tuning in for one race or strapping in for all 35, the coverage is slick, the commentary sharp, and the action relentless.

Final Word: Fancy a Flutter?

With the week’s races offering a rich mix of short-priced favourites and lively outsiders, there’s something for everyone in the punting department. Whether you’re placing a cheeky each-way double or going all in on a Group One banker, make sure you’re getting the best out of your stake.

That’s where Parimatch’s Bet £5 Get £30 in free bets deal comes in handy. You can dip a toe into the betting waters without committing the full plunge—and who knows, you might even walk away with a tidy profit.

So pour yourself something cold, study the form, and get ready for five days of world-class racing. Whether you’re rooting for a Royal runner, chasing a big-priced outsider, or simply hoping to dodge the sunburn, Royal Ascot 2025 promises all the pomp, pageantry and punting drama we’ve come to love.

Just don’t forget your sunscreen—or your betting slip.