Eight Contenders For Vacated Ascot Gold Cup Throne

Gold 3D Number 8

Which of the five days of Royal Ascot you prefer largely depends on your racing preferences. If milers float your boat, the Queen Anne Stakes and St. James’s Palace Stakes present an unmatched double bill on day one, whilst the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Day 5 sets the pulse of sprint fans racing.

Compelling as the aforementioned contests are, many racing fans are quick to nominate the Gold Cup on Day 3 as the standout battle of the meeting. Whereas sprinters, milers, and middle-distance performers tend to disappear into the breeding sheds in double-quick time, the stars of the staying game often stick around for longer. Witnessing the same horses returning year after year helps create a bond with the public that other divisions fail to match.

It is no surprise that the most coveted staying prize of the season lies close to the hearts of racing fans. Always one of the most anticipated events of the meeting, the 2025 edition was all set up for the 2022 and 2024 hero to cement his legacy with a third triumph. Alas, that is not to be. Rather than toasting the greatness of a three-time winner, 2025 now presents the opportunity to crown a brand new staying king.

No Kyprios, But O’Brien Still the Man to Beat

Ascot Gold Cup 2025 Betting

The flawless return of Kyprios was one of the stories of the 2024 flat campaign. Beaten in his two starts in 2023, many doubted whether the Aidan O’Brien star could return to his imperious best. What followed was the most spectacular season of his career to date. Seven wins from seven outings, including a one-length success in this race, topped his similarly majestic six from six 2022 campaign.

Having kicked off 2025 with wins at Navan and Leopardstown, the greatest staying son of Galileo appeared set to sweep the division once more. Unfortunately, the recurrence of an old injury sees the seven-year-old head into a well-earned retirement.

Whilst disappointing for the Coolmore team, the owner/breeder powerhouse often has a backup plan. In the case of the Gold Cup, that backup plan goes by the name of Illinois. Also sired by Galileo and a Royal Ascot winner in the 2024 Queens Vase, he kicked off 2025 with a tenacious success in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester. He’s yet to race beyond 2m but is the clear favourite for the 2025 Gold Cup at a general price of 7/4.

Should anything go wrong with Illinois O’Brien won’t be able look to the subs bench on this occasion, with St. Leger champ and Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel sidestepping the race.

Gallic Threat from Graffard

Our French cousins have drawn a blank in the Gold Cup since Westerner landed the prize for Elle Lellouch 20 years ago in 2005. However, the market suggests that the wait for a win may end in 2025.

Chantilly-based Francis-Henri Graffard teamed up with Aga Khan Studs to provide one of the most impressive moments at Royal Ascot 2024. One year on from Calandagan’s annihilation of the King Edward VII Stakes field, the trainer/owner combo is taking aim at this Group 1 prize.

In common with Illinois, the Frankel gelding Candelari has yet to race beyond 2m. However, he has been all but perfect in winning four of five outings at 1m5½f-1m7f. Arriving on the back of a first career Group 1 in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, he looks like the type to enjoy this step-up in trip.

Trawlerman to Go One Better for Godolphin?

Whilst Illinois and Candelari bring eye-catching progressive profiles to the table, those who favour form over this course and distance may side with Trawlerman.

Now seven years of age, this son of Golden Horn represents a Godolphin operation which has landed this prize on five occasions, but not since 2012. That represents a considerable barren spell for such a powerful owner, but the John & Thady Gosden-trained Trawlerman may be the horse to put that right.

One of only two horses to master Kyprios since 2021, he has yet to score in Group 1 company but finished an excellent second to the O’Brien star in the 2024 edition of this. With his conqueror reaching for the pipe and slippers, could the path be clear for Trawlerman to claim the top spot on the podium?

Having claimed a big staying prize in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in April, Godolphin will also have Saeed bin Suroor’s Dubai Future as a potentially live outsider. This will represent a first Gold Cup outing for the nine-year-old but the ride of James McDonald does have a Royal Ascot win under his belt in the form of the 2022 Wolferton Stakes, seemingly enjoying a return to form, a best price of around 40/1 may look pretty big on the day.

Balding and King Runners Lead Old Boys Brigade

The 2024 third Sweet William looks best of the rest, but those with an attachment to the old-timers may reserve a cheer for Coltrane and Dubai Future.

Having scored over this course and distance in the 2022 Ascot Stakes, Andre Balding’s Coltrane came up just short when second in the 2023 Gold Cup and finished a respectable fifth in 2024. In a potentially open renewal, he may be a popular each-way option.

No Kyprios, but no shortage of intrigue in what promises to be a compelling edition of this fabulous contest.