Hardwicke Stakes 2025 Preview – Runners Guide as Older Horses Race on Royal Ascot Final Day

The Hardwicke Stakes of 2025 is the last Group 2 contest at Royal Ascot on Saturday, 21 June. A historic mile-and-a-half race for older horses, it provides pointers towards the King George held here over the same course and distance the following month.

A field of 12 run with Newmarket trainer William Haggas saddling Candleford (yet to race this season) and Al Aasy for Shadwell Estates. Joseph O’Brien, meanwhile, has Al Riffa and Andrew Balding relies on Bellum Justum with ante post favourite Kalpana not declared.

Rebel’s Romance for Godolphin, Wathnan Racing entry Space Legend and David Menuiier inmate Sunway are all no strangers to Ascot. They all turn out for the Hardwicke Stakes of 2025. The German Derby winner Palladium adds extra intrigue to the race after new connections purchased him from Europe.

Champion Hurdle second Burdett Road and battle-hardened Flat handicapper Epic Poet are other interesting names taking aim here. Recent Amo Racing purchase Ghostwriter and Tabletalk try this trip after campaigns over shorter and further, meanwhile, and complete the field.

With a dozen runners to assess, punters can look to our experts for guidance. After all, that’s what we pay them for. Assessing form and odds with horse racing bookmakers is bread and butter to them, so find out all about each of these entries.

Hardwicke Stakes 2025 Runners Guide

1. Al Aasy

Veteran with course and distance form figures of 152 in lower grades. Tricky ride and needs delivering late like when landing Sandown Group 3 on reappearance. Beaten favourite for sixth time in career when fourth at beloved Newbury stepped back up in trip latest. In much deeper water now.

2. Al Riffa

Still unexposed at a mile-and-a-half after just two career starts over it. Shaped as though he hasn’t had the pace for shorter in two starts this calendar year. German Group 1 winner on good ground last summer after excellent second giving weight for age away in the Eclipse. One of the Hardwicke Stakes 2025 runners to note.

3. Bellum Justum

Beaten four times in five starts over a mile-and-a-half. Landed a poor Newmarket Group 2 last month before comprehensive defeat by old rival Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup around Epsom latest. Just a neck separated the pair at Goodwood last summer. Prefers faster ground, but faded into third over mile-and-a-quarter at this meeting 12 months ago. Others appeal more.

4. Burdett Road

Better known for exploits over jumps in recent times, finishing second in a dramatic Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham this spring. Listed winner on the level over this trip before that, however, and handicap success at the Royal meeting back in 2023. Needs a lot of improvement from first Flat start since September at Sandown. Discounted from Hardwicke Stakes 2025 shortlist.

5. Candleford

Won at this meeting three years ago and two Listed victories since. Not seen for 12 months after finishing fourth in this race in 2024. Bound to need the run, conceding race fitness to everything.

6. Epic Poet

Brilliant! Crystal Black comes late to win the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes for the Keane family! #RoyalAscot

pic.twitter.com/ZZvWtOBEtX

— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) June 21, 2024

Progressive from handicaps and denied by a head in the Yorkshire Cup over further latest. Runner-up in the Duke Of Edinburgh at this meeting 12 months ago. Placed in some big handicaps like the Ebor and Red Sea Turf, so a strong stayer over this sharper trip. Hard to rule out of the Hardwicke Stakes in 2025, but keeps improving largely without winning.

7. Ghostwriter

Sold for £2,000,000 to new owners on Monday, despite not winning a race since his undefeated juvenile campaign. Behind Al Riffa in the Eclipse last summer. Also third in the Juddmonte International at York, but not in the frame in three subsequent starts abroad. New trip of the Hardwicke Stakes 2025 brings stamina questions marks and he’ll need the damsire to impart plenty of it.

8. Palladium

Sold for big money after German Group 1 glory last season. Aborted hurdling campaign for Nicky Henderson after winning UK debut around Huntingdon. Since switched to top Newmarket yard and ran well when beaten a neck and head in Listed event at Goodwood latest. More to come despite short turnaround and should strip fitter for that recent outing with this a long-term goal.

9. Rebel’s Romance

Globetrotting gelding who has Grade / Group 1 wins in the Middle East, Europe, America and Hong Kong. Added Yorkshire Cup when denying Epic Poet at York latest and no surprise to see him drop back in trip. Didn’t match his best form here when third in the King George over course and distance last summer. Still a leading contender for the Hardwicke Stakes of 2025 off top rating.

10. Space Legend

French dominance in The King Edward VII stakes! CALANDAGAN romps home under Stephane Pasquire for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and owner H.H. Aga Khan. #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/F2WJkwxzvi

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 21, 2024

Runner-up to Calandagan, beaten in the Champion Stakes and Coronation Cup on two subsequent UK starts, at the Royal meeting last year. Unable to match that King Edward form since. Should come on for reappearance over inadequate trip in the Huxley Stakes at Chester latest, though. Each-way player on pick of his form.

11. Sunway

Placed in both the Irish Derby and St Leger last season either side of fourth in the King George over course and distance. Behind Rebel’s Romance on that occasion and no longer receiving weight for age. Best runs are on softer than good to firm. Needs rains before the Hardwicke Stakes of 2025 to have any hope.

12. Tabletalk

Runner-up over this trip in both Newbury Group 3s this spring. Won the Melrose Handicap at York over further last summer. Best runs on good to firm, but trailing in here last in the Noel Murless Stakes in the autumn is a worry. Needs to find improvement.

Hardwicke Stakes 2025 Shortlist & Verdict

As he still isn’t fully exposed over a mile-and-a-half, AL RIFFA looks the one to be on here. He relished a sound surface when scoring in Germany and finished ahead of Ghostwriter in the Eclipse last summer, so earns the vote.

Rebel’s Romance also has claims, but he must prove he acts at Ascot. If taking to this quicker ground, then Palladium could get in amongst the market principals. It wouldn’t be a shock if Epic Poet ran a big race in defeat, however, but this demands a lot more than the handicaps he normally runs in.

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