Royal Ascot gets underway this Tuesday – here’s everything you need to know to make the most of the week ahead.
Royal Ascot 2025, takes place this week at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, is the crown jewel of the British flat racing calendar.
Steeped in over 300 years of tradition, this meeting combines elite horse racing with royal ceremony and high fashion, drawing spectators and punters from around the world.
With 35 races, including eight Group 1 contests like the Queen Anne Stakes, Gold Cup, and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, and over £10 million in prize money, it’s a showcase of the finest racing talent.
The likes of Frankel, Yeats, Stradivarius, and Black Caviar are among the many legendary winners to have etched their names into Ascot folklore - an elite group this year’s contenders will be eager to join.
We’ve got all the key dates and timings you need as we look ahead to a week packed with top-class racing action.
When is Royal Ascot 2025?
Royal Ascot 2025 takes place from Tuesday, 17th June through Saturday, 21st June 2025, at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.
Royal Ascot 2025 Dates, Races and Times
Tuesday, June 17 – Queen Anne Stakes Day
- 2:30 PM: Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1, 1m, 4yo+) – Top milers compete; 2024 winner was Charyn.
- 3:05 PM: Coventry Stakes (Group 2, 6f, 2yo) – Juvenile colts; future stars often emerge here.
- 3:40 PM: King Charles III Stakes (Group 1, 5f, 3yo+) – Premier sprint race.
- 4:20 PM: St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1, 1m, 3yo colts) – Features top three-year-old milers; 2024 saw Rosallion win.
- 5:00 PM: Ascot Stakes (Handicap, 2m4f, 4yo+) – Long-distance handicap with a 20-horse field in 2025.
- 5:35 PM: Wolferton Stakes (Listed, 1m2f, 4yo+) – Competitive listed race.
- 6:10 PM: Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap, 1m6f, 4yo+) – Popular betting race.
Wednesday, June 18 – Prince of Wales’s Stakes Day
- 2:30 PM: Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2, 5f, 2yo fillies) – Fast two-year-old fillies.
- 3:05 PM: Queen’s Vase (Group 2, 1m6f, 3yo) – Stamina test for three-year-olds.
- 3:40 PM: Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2, 1m, 4yo+ fillies/mares) – Middle-distance fillies.
- 4:20 PM: Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1, 1m2f, 4yo+) – Joint-richest race with £1m prize; 2024 winner was Auguste Rodin.
- 5:00 PM: Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo+) – Fiercely competitive handicap.
- 5:35 PM: Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap, 1m, 4yo+ fillies/mares) – Newer handicap race.
- 6:10 PM: Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed, 5f, 2yo) – Juvenile sprint; 2024 winner was Ain’t Nobody.
Thursday, June 19 – Gold Cup Day (Ladies’ Day)
- 2:30 PM: Norfolk Stakes (Group 2, 5f, 2yo) – Two-year-old sprinters.
- 3:05 PM: King George V Stakes (Handicap, 1m4f, 3yo) – Three-year-old handicap; 2023 winner was Desert Hero for the King.
- 3:40 PM: Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo fillies) – Classic trial for fillies.
- 4:20 PM: Gold Cup (Group 1, 2m4f, 4yo+) – Most prestigious staying race; 2024 winner was Kyprios.
- 5:00 PM: Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo) – Competitive three-year-old handicap.
- 5:35 PM: Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3, 1m2f, 3yo) – Middle-distance three-year-olds.
- 6:10 PM: Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap, 7f, 3yo+) – Seven-furlong handicap.
Friday, June 20 – Coronation Stakes Day
- 2:30 PM: Albany Stakes (Group 3, 6f, 2yo fillies) – Juvenile fillies’ race.
- 3:05 PM: Commonwealth Cup (Group 1, 6f, 3yo) – Top three-year-old sprinters.
- 3:40 PM: Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap, 1m4f, 3yo+) – Middle-distance handicap.
- 4:20 PM: Coronation Stakes (Group 1, 1m, 3yo fillies) – Elite three-year-old fillies; 2023 winner was Tahiyra.
- 5:00 PM: Sandringham Stakes (Handicap, 1m, 3yo fillies) – Fillies’ handicap; 2019 saw Hayley Turner make history.
- 5:35 PM: King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo colts/geldings) – Classic trial for colts.
- 6:10 PM: Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap, 5f, 3yo) – Three-year-old sprint handicap.
Saturday, June 21 – Platinum Jubilee Stakes Day
- 2:30 PM: Chesham Stakes (Listed, 7f, 2yo) – Two-year-olds; 2024 saw Bedtime Story win impressively.
- 3:05 PM: Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f, 4yo+) – Middle-distance Group 2; Desert Hero is entered in 2025.
- 3:40 PM: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1, 6f, 4yo+) – £1m sprint; 2024 winner was Khaadem.
- 4:20 PM: Jersey Stakes (Group 3, 7f, 3yo) – Seven-furlong Group 3 for three-year-olds.
- 5:00 PM: Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 6f, 3yo+) – Major betting race; 2024 winner was Unequal Love.
- 5:35 PM: Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap, 1m2f, 3yo) – Three-year-old handicap; 2024 winner was Hand Of God.
- 6:10 PM: Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions, 2m6f, 4yo+) – Longest Flat race; 2024 winner was Uxmal.
Royal Ascot 2025 Schedule
10:30am – Gates Open
Begin your day in style as the gates open to welcome guests. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and fresh coffee while soaking in the atmosphere as the enclosures begin to fill.
2:00pm – The Royal Procession
At the stroke of two, witness the iconic Royal Procession along the famous Straight Mile. A short but spectacular tradition dating back to 1825, it marks the official start to each day at the Royal Meeting.
2:30pm – First Race
Let the racing begin! The first of seven thrilling races kicks off at 2:30pm. The final race of the day runs at 6:10pm.
Full race times, odds, and order of running can be found here.
6:10pm – Final Race of the Day
As the last race concludes, the celebrations continue across the enclosures.
6:15pm onwards – Live Music & Entertainment
Royal & Queen Anne Enclosures: Join the military band for a traditional sing-along at the Bandstand – a cherished Royal Ascot tradition.
Village & Windsor Enclosures: Enjoy live music as the post-racing atmosphere turns electric.
8:00pm – End of Day in Royal, Queen Anne & Windsor Enclosures
Guests begin to depart, but the memories of a magical day linger.
9:00pm – Final Curtain in the Village Enclosure
The Village Enclosure keeps the party going until 9pm, perfect for those who want to make the most of every moment.
