The Ascot Gold Cup of 2025 took on a very different shape once dual winner Kyprios saw injury force him into retirement. Now, this 2m 4f Group 1 stamina test on Thursday, 19 June that marks the halfway stage of Royal Ascot crowns a new champion.
A field of eight runners remain at the penultimate declaration stage. Last year’s runner-up Trawlerman and third Sweet William, both representing John & Thady Gosden, return to Berkshire for another shot at the big staying race.
Coltrane, second in 2023, and Dubai Future are both veterans of the long-distance division, meanwhile. Sagaro Stakes scorer Yashin is a newcomer for Michael Bell, who saddled Big Orange to victory here in 2017.
James Ferguson’s Wonder Legend tries to translate his staying form from the All-Weather to the turf. Against these older horses in the Ascot Gold Cup of 2025 are three four-year-olds looking to step up.
Deprived of Kyprios, Aidan O’Brien has last season’s St Leger second Illinois. Completing the line-up is French raider Candelari in the Aga Khan silks last worn in this great race by Vazirabad.
For at least half the field, this is a step into the unknown stamina wise. Helping you make sense of it all, however, are our experts. Their runners guide and verdict that follows considers all the form and prices from horse racing bookies, presenting who they feel are the right ones for this unique test of stamina.
Ascot Gold Cup 2025 Runners Guide
1. Coltrane
- Sire: Mastercraftsman
- Dam: Promise Me
- Damsire: Montjeu
- Age: 8
- Draw: Stall 6
- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- Trainer: Andrew Balding
- Official Rating: 112
- Form Figures: 2411D19/26/422114212/123155/015643-22
- Notable Wins: 2022 Ascot Stakes, 2022 Doncaster Cup, 2023 & 2024 Sagaro Stakes, 2023 Lonsdale Cup
Second in this race two years ago. CV lacks a Group 1 victory, but dual winner of the official trial run here in the spring. Only second to Yashin in that on reappearance, then filled the same spot behind Trawlerman around Sandown latest. Looks vulnerable to younger legs.
2. Dubai Future
- Sire: Dubawi
- Dam: Anjaz
- Damsire: Street Cry
- Age: 9
- Draw: Stall 5
- Jockey: James McDonald
- Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
- Official Rating: 116
- Form Figures: 211/1029662/212538/145041331/25204/119
- Notable Wins: 2022 Wolferton Stakes, 2023 Bahrain International Trophy, 2025 Dubai Gold Cup
Returned to action after more than a year off and landed a Group 3 this winter at Meydan. Followed-up on that with Dubai Gold Cup glory, but couldn’t reproduce that form when an eased last in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier latest. Won at the Royal meeting before, but needs to bounce back against younger horses in the Ascot Gold Cup of 2025.
3. Sweet William
- Sire: Sea The Stars
- Dam: Gale Force
- Damsire: Shirocco
- Age: 6
- Draw: Stall 8
- Jockey: Rab Havlin
- Trainers: John & Thady Gosden
- Official Rating: 116
- Form Figures: 22/2111223/313212-3
- Notable Wins: 2024 Henry II Stakes, 2024 Doncaster Cup
Placed on all three starts at Ascot last season, but won races elsewhere. No match for Kyprios, but finished ahead of stable companion Trawlerman here on Champions Day. Consistent and likeable type, who has never failed to make the top three. Each-way prospects again, but needs to improve on reappearance third at York.
4. Trawlerman
- Sire: Golden Horn
- Dam: Tidespring
- Damsire: Monsun
- Age: 7
- Draw: Stall 2
- Jockey: William Buick
- Trainers: John & Thady Gosden
- Official Rating: 118
- Form Figures: 3/316/100113/80111/323-51
- Notable Wins: 2023 Long Distance Cup, 2025 Henry II Stakes
The only horse to beat Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup 2025 line-up and here on British Champions Day the season before last. Tables turned in this race last year, but still looks a standout piece of form. Disappointing fifth in Meydan on reappearance, however, and didn’t have to improve to land Sandown Group 3 latest. Shortlisted.
5. Wonder Legend
- Sire: Sea The Stars
- Dam: Sea Of Wonders
- Damsire: Fastnet Rock
- Age: 5
- Draw: Stall 3
- Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
- Trainer: James Ferguson
- Official Rating: 108
- Form Figures: 5/21185/6231-211
- Notable Wins: None
Run mainly on the All-Weather and landed the Marathon on Finals Day at Newcastle over Easter impressively on latest start. Questions about whether he’s anything like as good on turf. Other Ascot Gold Cup 2025 runners appeal more.
6. Yashin
- Sire: Churchil
- Dam: Mirdhak
- Damsire: Dansili
- Age: 6
- Draw: Stall 7
- Jockey: Callum Shepherd
- Trainer: Michael Bell
- Official Rating: 106
- Form Figures: 40/411064/1674/33006-1
- Notable Wins: 2023 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes, 2025 Sagaro Stakes
Safe hands from @CallumSheppy! 🙌
Yashin springs a surprise in the Longines Sagaro Stakes, storming past Coltrane to score first time out for @MikeBellRacing at @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/YKB2c2rv4Y
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 30, 2025
Length winner in first-time tongue tie of official trial for this, beating Coltrane on reappearance and stable debut latest. Twice third to Kyprios last spring. May have untapped potential as a stayer, however, and joined a yard that knows what it takes to win the Gold Cup. Not necessarily as much to find as official ratings suggest.
7. Candelari
- Sire: Frankel
- Dam: Candara
- Damsire: Barathea
- Age: 4
- Draw: Stall 4
- Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
- Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
- Official Rating: N/A
- Form Figures: 1-1131
- Notable Wins: 2025 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier
⭕ #ParisLongchamp – Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr I)
Candelari (H4 Frankel) remporte son premier Groupe, directement au plus haut niveau ! Le représentant des @AgaKhanStuds, monté par Clément Lecoeuvre et entraîné par @GraffardRacing , devance Sevenna’s Knight et Présage Nocturne. pic.twitter.com/URIzUfvWcn— France Galop (@francegalop) May 25, 2025
Announced himself on stayers’ scene with impressive victory in Longchamp Group 1 latest, defeating last season’s Arc fifth and Prix Royal-Oak winner. Lightly-raced and nowhere near as exposed as most of the Ascot Gold Cup 2025 field. Exciting runner for ambitious French trainer.
8. Illinois
- Sire: Galileo
- Dam: Danedrop
- Damsire: Danehill
- Age: 4
- Jockey: Ryan Moore
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Official Rating: 116
- Form Figures: 13/3212221-1
- Notable Wins: 2024 Queen’s Vase, 2024 Prix Chaudenay, 2025 Ormonde Stakes
Royal Ascot winner in Group 2 company last season. No disgrace in defeats to stable companions Los Angeles at York and Jan Brueghel at Doncaster, then battled back to land another Group 2 in France on final start before winter break. Defied penalty on reappearance at Chester latest. Solid contender, but easy to pick holes in winning form.
Ascot Gold Cup 2025 Shortlist & Verdict
What a pity that Jan Brueghel has reinvented himself as a middle-distance horse after his St Leger triumph over Illinois. He looked a natural heir to Kyprios, but his Epsom exploits mean no Gold Cup bid. Instead, preference is for CANDELARI who got almost two miles very well in Paris, leaving the impression another four-and-a-half furlongs wouldn’t be a problem.
Graffard unleashed Calandagan in these silks at Royal Ascot last year and has another promising type on his hands now. Given the dearth of staying talent around, those placed here in 2024, Trawlerman and Sweet William, could again hit the frame. Yashin is the most interesting of the outsiders, meanwhile, using Kyprios as a form marker.
