2025 St James’s Palace Stakes: Runners, Riders, Odds & Tips for the Royal Ascot Showpiece

2025 St James’s Palace Stakes: Runners, Riders, Odds & Tips for the Royal Ascot Showpiece

It’s time for one of Royal Ascot’s most anticipated battles—the St James’s Palace Stakes, where egos, form lines, and millions in horseflesh clash for mile supremacy. Day One’s main event isn’t just about silks and sashes, it’s about the 3-year-old colts with something to prove, a point to make, and—hopefully—a punter or two to reward.

This year, it’s a proper Guineas reunion. Three classic winners from England, Ireland, and France go hoof-to-hoof in a race that’s already got bookmakers sweating and armchair tipsters punching numbers into betting apps like they’re disarming a bomb.

Speaking of bets, if you’re going to throw a few quid at this mouth-watering clash, BetTom—one of the UK’s newest bookmakers on the block—is offering a rather dashing deal: up to £25 in free bets for new customers. That’ll go nicely with a cold one and a racing card, won’t it?

So, without further waffle, let’s meet the contenders for the 2025 St James’s Palace Stakes, listed in card order.

Field Of Gold – Classy, Cool and Already Crowned

It’s fair to say Field Of Gold is the one with the most eyes on him. He was a touch unlucky in the English 2,000 Guineas, finishing second to Ruling Court after what can only be described as a tactical snooze from his pilot. But he made amends with a storming win in the Irish Guineas, bounding away like he’d just remembered the bar was closing.

He’s bred for this, trained by the Gosdens, and ridden by the ever-polished Colin Keane. He’s already following the hoofprints of his sire Kingman, and comes into this with form, speed, and pedigree all pointing in one direction—the winner’s enclosure.

Backers won’t get rich with odds around 10/11, but if you’ve got some BetTom free bet tokens, he’s the ideal place to park them.

First Wave – O’Brien’s Pacemaker or Surprise Package?

You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to work out First Wave’s likely role in the race. Having finally got his head in front in a Gowran Park maiden—after a few frustrating runs—he’s now thrown into the Royal Ascot furnace, likely to set a clip for Henri Matisse.

He won from the front last time, and with Dylan Browne-McMonagle in the saddle, he’ll probably do the same here—only this time with six better horses chasing him down at warp speed.

Odds of 150/1 tell their own story. He’s a passenger, not a pilot.

Henri Matisse – Artistic, Progressive, and O’Brien’s Real Shot

If Field Of Gold has the form, Henri Matisse has the flair. He won the French 2,000 Guineas last month and is unbeaten in two starts over a mile, including last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, which is no small feat for a European runner.

Ryan Moore keeps the ride, and you suspect that Aidan O’Brien—whose trophy cabinet must be built of reinforced steel—has had this race in mind for a while. There’s a strand of 2yo form tying him tightly to Field Of Gold, and if the pace is honest, he’ll be charging late.

At 7/2, he’s no value bet, but he’s no mug either. If you’re fishing for a decent return with one of your BetTom free bet bonuses, this is your boy.

Officer – Exposed, Honest, But Outgunned

Another from the Ballydoyle battalion, Officer looks like he’s here for the education. He won a Listed race at the Curragh but was comprehensively outclassed in the Irish Guineas, finishing well behind the likes of Field Of Gold and Rashabar.

Wayne Lordan gets the ride, and while he’ll no doubt try to keep things respectable, this looks like a stretch too far. Expect him to beat one or two stragglers but not to feature at the business end.

At best odds of 28/1, you’re banking on a race falling apart or a biblical miracle—not the most reliable punting strategy.

Rashabar – Underrated or Outclassed?

There’s always one horse that turns up and upsets the applecart. Rashabar did it last year in the Coventry Stakes, winning at 80/1. He also managed to beat Field Of Gold once—albeit on a weird Arc weekend card—and continues to run well without actually troubling the stewards with post-race interviews.

He’s consistent, honest, and clearly loves Ascot, but in the Irish 2,000 Guineas he was soundly beaten—over five lengths behind the very horse he once had the better of.

If you’re after a longshot for the exotics, he could nick third. If you’re after a winner, maybe keep the free bets in your back pocket.

Ruling Court – The Guineas Victor Returns for Round Two

Ah, Ruling Court. The Justify colt with a price tag so large it probably came with its own bank account. He beat Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas, holding on by half a length after getting the jump in a tactical masterclass from William Buick.

Since then, he’s skipped the Derby due to the ground being softer than a politician’s promise and lines up here fresh, fast, and potentially still improving.

At 7/2, he’s joint second-favourite and rightly so. If he gets the run of the race again, Field Of Gold could be playing catch-up. But if there’s one thing punters know, it’s that Ascot’s straight can be cruel to front-runners on warm days.

One to take seriously—especially for punters hoping to do a bit more than just break even on Day One.

Windlord – Needs a Gale, Not a Breeze

Finally, we come to Windlord, a horse whose name promises speed but whose form suggests otherwise. He managed a second in a 10-furlong Group race on seasonal debut, but when he tried to mix it with the big boys in the Irish Guineas, he folded like a cheap deckchair.

He’s trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Oisin Murphy, so you’d love to see a better showing, but unless he’s found a new gear in the last fortnight, this looks optimistic.

100/1 says it all. You’re better off spending your BetTom bonus bets on a ham sandwich. At least you’ll get something back.

The Verdict: Where’s the Value in the Field?

This race is shaping up to be a corker. You’ve got three Guineas winners, a tactical puzzle, and a mile that suits both bold frontrunners and patient stalkers. But there can only be one winner (unless it’s a photo finish and everyone cries).

Field Of Gold is the most solid on form, progression and breeding, and with Keane doing the steering, he should be the one to beat. But Ruling Court will be gunning for a repeat, and Henri Matisse adds serious international spice.

If you’re punting:

• Safe bet: Field Of Gold with a free bet from BetTom
• Value play: Henri Matisse to pounce late
• Speculative fun: Rashabar to sneak into the frame

Final Word: Bets, Bottles & a Blistering Mile

The St James’s Palace Stakes 2025 is everything Royal Ascot should be—classy, competitive, and just a little bit chaotic. If you’re backing a runner, do it smartly, and if you’re new to the game, there’s no better place to start than with the numerous bookmaker free bets which you can claim today from any of our featured UK betting sites.

Because whether your horse bolts up or finishes in a different postcode, a free flutter always makes the spectacle that little bit sweeter.

So place your bets, steady your hat, and enjoy the ride—this one could be an instant classic.