Dominant at Epsom and odds-on to be champion trainer - which stars are in line to continue Aidan O'Brien's unstoppable run at Royal Ascot?
When Godolphin stole the show on Guineas weekend at Newmarket it looked like they might set the tone for the season. How wrong we were. Since then, Aidan O'Brien and his fleet of superstars have completely dominated the Flat racing scene.
Following that Guineas weekend, O'Brien has racked up victories in the French 2,000 Guineas, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Irish 1,000 Guineas, French Derby and just this weekend completed a remarkable Group 1 clean sweep at Epsom with wins in the Coronation Cup, Oaks and the Derby.
O'Brien has been Royal Ascot's leading trainer in eight of the last ten years and his record 91 winners is 25 more than any other active trainer.
He is already odds-on to be crowned Britain's champion trainer for an eighth time, and despite Lake Victoria being ruled out of Royal Ascot, the trainer's dominance may not be stopped any time soon, with this powerful squad being aimed at Royal Ascot's Group 1s.
Diego Velazquez
Queen Anne Stakes (Tuesday, June 17)
Diego Velazquez, who is set to be O'Brien's sole runner in the opening race of Royal Ascot, was withdrawn at the start when set to make his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown last month, so will head to Berkshire without a run under his belt.
He ended last season on a high, however, with victories in a Group 2 and a Group 3, but could be up against it in the Queen Anne, where he is likely to take on the first four home in the Lockinge, including market leader Rosallion.
Henri Matisse
St James's Palace Stakes (Tuesady, June 17)
Having already won the French 2,000 Guineas this season, Henri Matisse heads to Royal Ascot as one of Ballydoyle's best three-year-olds. O'Brien’s runner will have to get the better of Ruling Court and Field Of Gold, the British and Irish 2,000 Guineas winners, if the trainer is to win the race for a tenth time.
It will be Henri Matisse's first run on British soil, with his previous successes coming at the Curragh, Longchamp and at Del Mar.
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Storm Boy
King Charles III Stakes (Tuesday, June 17) and/or Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Saturday, June 21)
With entries in the King Charles III Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes options remain open for this talented sprinter. Sired by Triple Crown winner Justify, the three-year-old was moved to Ballydoyle at the start of the year from Australia, but finished last on his stable debut in a Group 2 at the Curragh.
However, if anyone can fine-tune a horse to be ready for a race it is the master of Ballydoyle. Time after time we have seen O'Brien's runners bounce back in emphatic style, and a similar scenario could be on the cards for Storm Boy.
Los Angeles
Prince of Wales's Stakes (Wednesday, June 18)
One of the leading lights at Ballydoyle, Los Angeles was impressive when he battled on well to hold off Anmaat in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup last month and will improve greatly for that run. The pair will likely meet again in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
The four-year-old has amassed £1,956,730 in prize-money after a fantastic campaign in 2024 saw him win the Irish Derby and finish third in the Derby at Epsom and in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
Illinois
Another race in which O'Brien will be seeking his tenth success, and he holds a strong hand with market-leader Illinois. The retirement of superstar Kyprios has no doubt weakened Ballydoyle's staying division, but Illinois could be the perfect successor.
Having never finished outside the top three, Illinois will be seeking a first Group 1 victory after some agonising defeats, most notably when going down by a neck to Jan Brueghel in the St Leger.
The four-year-old will have questions to answers regarding the steep step up to the Gold Cup distance, a whole five furlongs further than he has gone before. That run, when winning the Prix Chaudenay over 1m7f at Longchamp in October, did bode well for his chances of getting the marathon trip at Ascot, however.
Commonwealth Cup (Friday, June 20)
O'Brien, who has won this race just once since it was added to the royal programme in 2015, could be doubly represented with Whistlejacket and Ides Of March looking likely to line up next week.
Whistlejacket has started every race, barring his visit to Del Mar, as favourite and has come out on top four times. It is highly unlikely he will head the market at Royal Ascot next week, however, with Babouche, who has beaten him in their last two meetings, and two-time Group 1 winner Shadow Of Light among the opposition.
Whistlejacket's best runs have come on soft or good to soft ground, suggesting he would not mind some rain hitting Berkshire.
Ides Of March is another smart colt. He finished just a length behind Symbol Of Honour – who has since won the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes – in a Listed race at Newbury last month. He was also just half a length behind Whistlejacket at Navan in April when in receipt of 2lb, so there is not a glaring gap between the pair.
Exactly
Coronation Stakes (Friday, June 20)
With Lake Victoria absent, Exactly could become O'Brien’s leading Coronation Stakes filly as he seeks to win the race for the first time since 2017.
Exactly will have to turn around the form with Zarigana from their meeting in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches last month, while Newmarket 1,000 Guineas winner Desert Flower could provide stern opposition if turning up at Ascot after disappointing in the Oaks at Epsom.
Read more:
Royal Ascot 2025: running order, TV schedule and day-by-day guide to the big races
Lake Victoria to miss Royal Ascot - but unbeaten filly to add spice to the Coronation in her absence
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Published on inRoyal Ascot
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