The Windsor Castle Stakes is a listed contest run over 5f. It takes place at 18:10 on Wednesday 18th June, which is the second day of Royal Ascot 2025. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

3⁽¹⁶⁾

Beach Partee

J: Neil Callan

T: William Knight

9-5

Displayed some ability when sixth at 28-1 on last month's debut at York (6f, good) but he would be a shock winner today.

14⁽¹⁰⁾

3214

Logi Bear

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

9-5

Placed on first two starts before convincing win at Newmarket (6f, good); fair fourth in the Woodcote at Epsom (6f, good to soft) recently but was behind Havana Hurricane (runner-up) and his form needs to go to a new level.

1⁽³⁾

1341

Ardisia

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

9-5

Won on debut at Musselburgh (5f, good) and ran well in defeat the next twice before novice win under a penalty at Salisbury (5f, good to firm); however, he tends to be slowly away and is probably vulnerable now up in grade.

12⁽⁴⁾

615

Kamakameleon

J: Tom Marquand

T: Dylan Cunha

9-5

Won at Doncaster (5f, good to firm) on second start but merely fifth of seven in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown (5f, good) three weeks ago; plenty of improvement is needed in first-time blinkers.

10⁽⁸⁾

Havana Hurricane

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

9-5

100

Won on debut at Goodwood (5f, good) and very creditable second to smart Godolphin prospect in the Woodcote at Epsom (6f, good to soft) 12 days ago; shaped last time as though he may benefit from this drop back in trip and he could have a part to play for trainer who won this in 2021.

15⁽¹⁹⁾

Nuevo Slovo

J: Colin Keane

T: John S O'Donoghue

9-5

Left March's Dundalk debut (5f, AW) well behind to win in a small field at Ayr (5f, good) in April; open to further improvement but others have far more substance to their form.

7⁽⁵⁾

214

First Approach

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-5

Won a maiden at Naas (5f, good) last month on second outing; well beaten in the Group 3 Marble Hill since but was unsuited by the step up to 6f (failed to settle and weakened); top trainer won this in 2015, 2019 and 2022, and he retains potential now back down in trip; chance.

6⁽¹⁷⁾

Dickensian

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

9-5

Made all in good style on debut at Musselburgh (5f, good); raced freely in front when 2l sixth over this C&D (good to firm) since; represents last year's winning yard and his dam was a 6f 2yo Group 3 winner, and he can improve upon his latest run if settling better, but others have less to prove.

5⁽¹⁵⁾

0203

Call Me By My Name

J: Adam Farragher

T: James Horton

9-5

Has twice finished placed at Chester (5.5f/6f, good), including last time, but he's 0-4 and is unlikely to shed his maiden tag today.

11⁽¹³⁾

Jan Steen

J: David Egan

T: K R Burke

9-5

100

Easily won four-runner maiden at Thirsk (5f, good to firm) on debut then ran really well in third under a 5lb penalty in a warm novice at York (6f, good to firm; again led); this stiff 5f should suit; has each-way claims.

21⁽¹⁴⁾

Tough Critic

J: Flavien Prat

T: George Weaver

9-5

Detached early on debut at Keeneland (5.5f, firm) in April but made smooth headway around the turn and overtook six rivals in the straight to come out on top; it was a performance packed with promise and his US trainer saddled Crimson Advocate to win the Queen Mary here in 2023; contender.

9⁽¹¹⁾

Gorey Gold

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

9-5

Built upon the promise of his debut fifth at Windsor (6f, good to firm) to win by just over 4l at Bath (5.7f, good) 12 days ago; today's rivals are significantly higher calibre but he impressed last time; not discounted.

20⁽¹⁸⁾

Sovereign Spell

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Raphael E Freire

9-5

Weak 14-1 but beaten just a neck when second of six on last month's debut at Newmarket (5f, good to firm), which looked a warm race with a Godolphin newcomer in first and a subsequent winner in third; this 120,000gns breeze-up buy is open to improvement and is not ruled out.

17⁽⁶⁾

211

Rogue Legend

J: W J Lee

T: P Twomey

9-5

103

Won Cork maiden (5f, good) last month on second start and again had something in hand when following up under big weight in conditions race at Tipperary (5f, yielding to soft); changed hands since (remains in same yard); trainer is enjoying an excellent year and this is a leading form contender.

16⁽⁷⁾

Old Is Gold

J: James Doyle

T: Andrew Balding

9-5

200,000gns breeze-up buy who built upon the promise of his debut third over C&D (good to firm) to win a warm conditions race at Beverley (5f, good); acquired by Wathnan Racing since and remains with Andrew Balding, who won this in 2020; the type to continue to progress and he's on the shortlist.

19⁽¹⁾

Shaman Champion

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Richard Hughes

9-5

Closely related to Listed winner Castle Hill Cassie; 4-1 for debut at Leicester (5f, good to firm) last month, when he swiftly put the race to bed after hitting the front; in calculations after that impressive start.

NR⁽²⁴⁾

323

Kansas

T: A P O'Brien

9-5

100

This is a hard race in which to shed his maiden status but he's been placed on all three starts (5f/6f, good) and could benefit from getting greater cover in this big field; one of two for top trainer who has won three of the last ten runnings and Ryan Moore rides; he's worth a second look.

22⁽²²⁾

Utmost Respect

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

9-5

11-4 when half-length second on debut at York (5f, good to firm) last month, a performance that can be upgraded as he pulled hard and found trouble in running; interesting contender on the back of that eyecatching run.

24⁽²⁾

Oasis Diamond

J: David Allan

T: Michael & David Easterby

9-0

Took a step forward when third of six at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) but was no match for the winner Rogue Supremacy; hard to fancy.

8⁽⁹⁾

Gaga Mate

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

9-5

Won for Dylan Cunha on debut at Catterick (5f, good to soft; 9-2), comfortably beating a fair yardstick; has since changed hands; faces much tougher assignment on stable debut but impressed last time and is not ruled out.

23⁽²⁰⁾

Wyle Cop

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Jack Jones

9-5

Cost £160,000 at the breeze-ups and he was an encouraging fourth of 13 at 14-1 on debut at Leicester (6f, good) three weeks ago; can win races but lots of improvement is necessary if he's to land this one.

2⁽²³⁾

Azizam

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

9-5

9-1 for last month's debut in a six-runner maiden at Hamilton (5f, good) but he belied those odds to win by 2.5l; represents a powerful 2yo stable and the ceiling of his ability is yet to be identified; could go well.

4⁽²¹⁾

Better And Better

J: P J McDonald

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

9-5

Trainer has some useful 2yos and this one went close on debut at Carlisle (5f, good to soft) before winning at Hamilton (6f, good); however, had just a head to spare last time and further improvement is needed.

18⁽¹²⁾

Rogue Supremacy

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-5

£160,000 breeze-up buy who was sent off at 8-13 for his recent debut at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm), where he travelled well in front and found plenty to win in taking fashion from one who had shown promise previously; looks a very nice prospect and he's one to consider.

RACING POST TIP

Tough Critic

US challenger TOUGH CRITIC deserves considerable credit for winning on his debut at Keeneland, having been detached in the back straight, and trainer George Weaver knows what it takes to win a 2yo race at Royal Ascot. He earns the vote ahead of Utmost Respect who also ran really well in the face of adversity on his debut when runner-up at York. Leicester winner Shaman Champion is next on the list ahead of Rogue Supremacy, who also scored impressively on his debut. Old Is Gold and Rogue Legend can also go well.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2024	Ain’t Nobody [27]	2	9-5	5/1	Kevin Ryan	Jamie Spencer
2023	Big Evs [19]	2	9-5	20/1	Michael Appleby	Jason Hart
2022	Little Big Bear [2]	2	9-5	9/4	Aidan O’Brien, Ireland	Ryan Moore
2021	Chipotle [1]	2	9-3	22/1	Eve Johnson Houghton	Charles Bishop
2020	Tactical [20]	2	9-3	7/2F	Andrew Balding	James Doyle
2019	Southern Hills [24]	2	9-3	7/1	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2018	Soldier’s Call [22]	2	9-3	12/1	Archie Watson	Daniel Tudhope
2017	Sound And Silence [12]	2	9-3	16/1	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2016	Ardad [1]	2	9-3	20-1	John Gosden	Robert Havlin
2015	Washington DC [6]	2	9-3	5/1	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2014	Hootenanny [25]	2	9-3	7/2F	Wesley A Ward	Victor Espinoza

Key race stats 2025

Key trends

No more than three runs, 10/10
By a sire with a stamina index of 6.5f-8.1f, 10/10
Beaten last time, 8/10
Distance winner, 7/10 (exceptions were maidens)
Drawn in double figures, 6/10

Other factor

Fillies won five in a row (1996 to 2000), but only two have been placed in the last ten years.

What happened in the Windsor Castle Stakes last year?

Eve Johnson Houghton celebrated a second Windsor Castle victory with Havana Hurricane. The 7-1 shot kept on best in the far side group to beat Dickensian by a length and a half in the Listed contest. Johnson Houghton and jockey Charlie Bishop teamed up to land this race with Chipotle in 2021. The 7-2 favourite Old Is Gold could only manage eighth in a running that was substandard compared to the past decade.

Windsor Castle Stakes

18:10 Royal Ascot