A hugely competitive renewal of the King Charles III Stakes will take place on day one of Royal Ascot on Tuesday 17th June, 2025, as the likes of reigning champion Asfoora and the classy speedster Believing feature among the 23 runners entered for the Group 1 event.
Henry Dwyer’s Asfoora scorched the turf in this race 12 months ago to down Regional by a length and the Australian sprinting star is back to try and retain her crown. She failed to follow up that victory when second in the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, while she was a well beaten fourth in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, but returning to Royal Ascot she will be looking to sparkle on the biggest platform there is in the Flat racing world.
Edward Bethell’s Regional claimed Group 1 glory at the back end of last season when landing the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park, but that success came over six furlongs, so a return to five furlongs here will need to see him improve and he has form to find with the aforementioned Asfoora.
George Boughey’s Believing has been a real model of consistency at the top table of the sprint division and having finished fourth in this race last season, she then ran some fine races in decent sprints in Ireland and France. A Group 1 winner of the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan back in April, the five-year-old mare will be looking to continue her fine form and finally grab her big British prize.
Last of 19 in the Jersey Stakes last season, Karl Burke’s Night Raider has shown he’s a real speedster and having won a Listed race at Newcastle at the end of last season, he warmed up for this with a decent third in the Duke Of York Stakes at York. Potentially lining up over five furlongs for the first time here, he’s one that has shown bundles of pace and is a fascinating runner.
A Group 2 winner of the Temple Stakes at Haydock already this season, Ed Walker’s Mgheera is the improving sprinter set to take a step up into Group 1 company for this contest, while the likes of Starlust, American Affair and Flora Of Bermuda are another eye-catching quartet of entries.
2025 King Charles III Stakes Runners
15:40 Ascot
Good To FirmKing Charles III Stakes (Group 1)
- First Prize: £411572.82
- 0m 5f 0y
- Class 1
- 21 runners
- Win time: 0m 59s
11/1 (Won)
- Win: £11.15
- Place: £2.85
28/1
- Place: £6.35
9/1
- Place: £2.25
16/1
- Place: £4.10
66/1
7/2
40/1
150/1
50/1
18/1
3/1F
10/1
18/1
10/1
66/1
40/1
50/1
100/1
66/1
80/1
15/2
Non-runners
No Half Measures, Bucanero Fuerte
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £422.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £256.61 |
| Tricast | £2152.45 |
| Trifecta | £3228.40 |