Ribblesdale Stakes 2025 Preview – Runners Guide to Royal Ascot’s Version of The Oaks

Given it follows just 13 days after The Oaks at Epsom this year, the Ribblesdale Stakes of 2025 on the middle day of Royal Ascot perhaps doesn’t have the talent running it otherwise might have in other seasons. Nonetheless, this Group 2 mile-and-a-half race for three-year-olds fillies acts as a chief supporting race on Gold Cup day.

Aidan O’Brien, who has five wins in the race since 2014 including the last two campaigns, could send three over from Ireland. They are Ecstatic, Garden Of Eden and Island Hopping. Outside of Ballydoyle, there’s more Emerald Isle representation courtesy of Paddy Twomey’s Catalina Delcarpio and Henry De Bromhead inmate Hollys Graces.

A theme with many of the fillies vying for glory in the Ribblesdale Stakes of 2025 is how lightly-raced they are. Andrew Balding saddles Serenity Prayer off just two previous starts and she’s not the only inexperienced, but talented contender either. John & Thady Gosden have three of the dozen featuring among penultimate declarations.

Their Newmarket yard could send out Go Go Boots, Life Is Beautiful and Understudy. Each filly has different owners.  Completing the possible line-up here are Charlie Johnston’s Caspi Star, Wathnan Racing runner Lady Vivian for Ralph Beckett and Michael Bell inmate Kate O’Riley.

Making sense of a tricky test are our horse racing experts. It’s to them that you can look for guidance and analysis as no filly with a rating above 100 goes for this Group 2 prize. Through their form study and assessments of prices with online horse racing bookmakers, you can get a clearer picture of this race.

Ribblesdale Stakes 2025 Runners Guide

1. Caspi Star

Minnie Hauk – who was purchased for €1,850,000 in 2023 – takes the Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks under Ryan Moore! 🏅

It’s a ninth win in the race for Aidan O’Brien… pic.twitter.com/ObHKKSa2uL

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 7, 2025

Runner-up to Lady Vivian on the All-Weather at Southwell on reappearance, but clearly improved since then with Musselburgh victory and staying on third in the Cheshire Oaks with Kate O’Riley in-behind latest. Winner went on to Classic glory at Epsom. Each-way player.

2. Catalina Delcarpio

Leopardstown 1m 2f maiden winner on racecourse debut, then runner-up in Salsabil Stakes at Navan latest. Home in front of Island Hopping with winner running fourth in The Oaks. Lightly-raced and shaped as though further would be fine. One for the Ribblesdale Stakes 2025 shortlist.

3. Ecstatic

Dam won this race back in 2018, but needs improvement after poor seventh in Salsabil Stakes and never nearer fifth in Newbury Trial latest. Beat Garden Of Eden when runner-up on reappearance. Perhaps unlucky when denied a clear run the last day and bred for progress over this trip. Hard to rule out on pedigree.

4. Garden Of Eden

Team Ballydoyle take the Darley Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial Stakes at Naas with Garden Of Eden who flies home under Ben Coen! ✅@BenCoen2 | @Ballydoyle | @NaasRacecourse pic.twitter.com/Kk5QqqfCiz

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) May 10, 2025

Career best when landing Listed race at Naas and beating stable companion Island Hopping latest. Behind Ecstatic on reappearance, but improved for going up in trip since. Plenty of stamina on sire’s side of pedigree, so another of the Ribblesdale Stakes 2025 runners with claims.

5. Go Go Boots

Won first two career starts on the All-Weather, but a maiden on turf. Third to Whirl in the Musidora Stakes behind Serenity Prayer, then didn’t fire at all when trailing in last of nine in The Oaks latest. Something to find at this level.

6. Hollys Graces

Always behind and a struggling sixth in Naas Oaks Trial on reappearance latest. Jockey booking catches the eye and connections must think more to come. Plenty of stamina imparted to her from the sire. The Ribblesdale Stakes of 2025 demands more than a 7f All-Weather maiden win, though.

7. Island Hopping

Beaten less than two lengths by Whirl on final start as a juvenile. Couple of thirds in 1m 2f Classic trials since. Behind Catalina Delcarpio and Garden Of Eden latest. Lowest rated of the three Ballydoyle fillies, but cannot be totally discounted either.

8. Kate O’Riley

Dual Wolverhampton winner on the All-Weather. Fifth and behind Caspi Star in the Cheshire Oaks when switched back to turf latest. Difficult to make a case for her in the Ribblesdale Stakes of 2025 off such a lowly and handicaps look more her future.

9. Lady Vivian

Beat Caspi Star on the All-Weather at Wolverhampton and followed-up with turf handicap success around Chester latest. Didn’t have to improve for landing that, however, and the assessor now has the Johnston filly as an 8lb better horse. Big jump in grade from Class 4 victory, but she’s seeking a hat-trick.

10. Life Is Beautiful

This is eyecatching 👀

FALAKEYAH follows in the footsteps of future Oaks winner Taghrooda winning the @Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes in sparkling fashion ✨ pic.twitter.com/t0KvzFPUbO

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) May 4, 2025

Runner-up to two fillies supplemented for the Coronation Stakes on the following day of the Royal meeting. Newmarket third went on and won the Newbury Trial that Ecstatic was fifth in, so on a form marker, this one has to be on any shortlist. Another for the Ribblesdale Stakes 2025 shortlist.

11. Serenity Prayer

Stayed on into second in Musidora Stakes at York latest after landing 1m 2f Newbury maiden on racecourse debut. As the only filly in the line-up with a runner-up effort in Group 2 company, she commands respect. Looks the one to beat off top rating.

12. Understudy

Southwell novice winner on the All-Weather over this trip latest. Did it well and appreciated stepping up in distance after racecourse and turf debut fourth over 1m 2f at Newbury. Represents powerful UK stable and owner who had lots of Royal Ascot success with Stradivarius.

Ribblesdale Stakes 2025 Shortlist & Verdict

It’s not a vintage renewal by any means, but we might look back on this one day and realise it was better than we knew at the time. The most solid option is SERENITY PRAYER on her York second in this grade. Balding has a filly that looks as though further will suit her.

As for the Gosdens, the pick of their trio is definitely Life Is Beautiful with the form line through Qiln Queen. Despite that, O’Brien pair Ecstatic and Garden Of Eden could both improve for going up to a mile-and-half on breeding, rather than form.

Of the others, Caspi Star could have improvement in her as well over slightly further and a stiffer course than Chester when you consider he proximity to Oaks winner Minnie Hauk. Johnston’s filly looks as though she’s improving at a quicker rate than Lady Vivian.

Michael Lee

Betting Expert

Michael Lee

Betting Expert

Michael has worked in the sports betting industry for many years. Following football, horse racing and track and field athletics, he has covered the last three Olympic Games, World Cups and other major sporting events.

All posts by Michael Lee