The curtain comes down at Royal Ascot today. The day’s highlight is the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (16h40), run over six furlongs. Track conditions remain good to firm.
Sixteen runners contest for glory, the trophy from the King and a first prize of £567,100 with the French, Irish and even a Japanese raider in the field.
Ascot Racecourse hosts the finale of the 2025 Royal Ascot festival today (Pic – Ascot Racecourse on FB)
Favourite is the French trained Lazzat who was recently purchased by Wathnan Racing after easily winning a listed contest at Chantilly last month. A seven time winner from ten starts, he showed plenty of pace throughout to land that prize on good to soft ground. The concern here is the fast ground he must contend with.
The Christopher Head trained Topgear and Sajir from leading French trainer Andre Fabre are two other French raiders that have realistic chances. Topgear has had Sajir’s measure recently, with both excelling on softer ground.
Aiden O’Brien saddles Irish hope Storm Boy who comes here with a big reputation from Australia. An unplaced debut effort for Ballydoyle in a Group 2 at the Curragh should be ignored. The three-year-old will have come on plenty for that run, but he will need to.
The Japanese arrive with their star sprinter Satono Reve. Joao Moreira retains the ride after finishing second to the Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising in April at Group 1 level. He should be involved in the finish.
The selection in an open contest is the Kevin Ryan trained four-year-old Inisherin, the mount of William Buick. The Shamardal colt won the Gr1 Commonwealth Cup over course and distance last year on fast ground. He also won a Gr2 at York over six furlongs on his seasonal reappearance in May on similar ground.
Earlier on the card, global superstar Rebel’s Romance is selected in the Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes (16h05). The Godolphin owned seven-year-old, victorious in seven Group 1’s, is well clear of his eleven rivals on official ratings and will enjoy the fast ground.
Irish raider Al Riffa looks his biggest threat if reproducing his one-length second to City Of Troy in last season’s Eclipse.
