Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes 2025 Preview – Runners Guide to Royal Ascot Group 1 Sprint

As the curtain comes down on another Royal Ascot, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes of 2025 is the last Group 1 of the meeting. This sprint race over six furlongs and open to older horses attracts runners from as far away as Japan for a tilt at the big prize money.

Some 16 runners feature among final declarations. A trio of French raiders join Satono Reve from the Far East in the line-up. Crossing the Channel are Lazzat, Sajir and Topgear all for different stables.

Storm Boy flies the flag for Ireland, meanwhile despite only arriving from Australia this season. Most of the field is domestic sprinting types with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid running both Elite Status and 2024 Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin here. Kevin Ryan also has Grand Grey in the race.

Wathnan Racing run two with Flora Of Bermuda another new purchase alongside the aforementioned Lazzat. Andrew Balding’s filly is one of three females in the line-up. Great Generation and Nighteyes are the others receiving a sex allowance in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes of 2025.

Outsiders in the market with horse racing bookies lining up include Clive Cox pair James’s Delight and Jasour, Mick Appleby’s Annaf, Henry Candy Ascot veteran Run To Freedom and Iberian from the Charlie Hills yard that has won this in each of the last two seasons.

With so many sprinters on show, our experts can help you narrow the field with their analysis of everything taking part in the race. See what they have to say about it all below…

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes 2025 Runners Guide

1. Annaf

Third in the King’s Stand here in 2023, then Group 3 success over course and distance at the end of that season. Group 2 winner in the Middle East over further last year. In the frame on both starts this spring. Definite case on pick of his form, but others appeal more.

2. Elite Status

Placed in the Norfolk Stakes at this meeting two years ago. Dual Listed winner and Newbury Group 3 success last summer. Fourth on reappearance behind owner companion Inisherin and looks second string again, but should come on for the run. Another who can’t entirely be ruled out.

3. Grand Grey

French import who ran a blinder on reappearance and UK debut when runner-up in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. Awkward jumping out of the stalls and happened again when down the field in a Curragh Group 2 latest. Similar beginning could cost him in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes of 2025.

4. Iberian

Mixed results since attempting to reinvent himself as a sprinter. Group 2 winner as a juvenile over further and shaped with promise when runner-up at Doncaster on reappearance. Not so good in Ireland since. Doesn’t have a sprinting pedigree and good to firm ground an unknown.

5. Inisherin

Reinvented himself as a sprinter with Commonwealth Cup triumph over course and distance at the last Royal meeting. Not reproduced that in either the July Cup or Haydock Sprint Cup, but bounced back with reappearance Group 2 win at York latest. Has to be on any shortlist.

6. James’s Delight

Career best when landing a Curragh Group 2 latest and just holding off Ayr Gold Cup hero Lethal Levi. Eighth on only previous visit to Ascot. Needs to step up again if he’s to feature in the frame for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes of 2025.

7. Jasour

Down the field in the King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday, but could double up as a Group 3 course and distance winner last season. Also ran third to Inisherin in the Commonwealth Cup 12 months ago. Not really finishing his races off, though, and opposable.

8. Lazzat

Completed six-timer last summer by landing one of France’s biggest sprints. No win from two runs outside Europe at the end of the season. Bolted up in prep race for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes of 2025 latest, so one to take seriously. Never raced on going faster than good, but should be a strong stayer at this trip.

9. Run To Freedom

No win in six career starts at Ascot, but fifth in the Champions Sprint at a big price in 2023. Only run twice since, so clearly been difficult to keep sound. Could come on for reappearance fourth in the Abernant Stakes behind Sajir and Grand Grey, but will need to and looks exposed.

10. Sajir

Chased home fellow French raider Topgear in Longchamp Group 3 latest conceding weight, but something to find with that one and Lazzat on last season’s form. Won Abernant Stakes from Grand Grey in the spring. This demands more.

11. Satono Reve

Far East raider placed in two Hong Kong Group 1s either side of victory at the highest level in Japan. Comes a long way for a crack at the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in 2025, so should give good account. Domestic sprinters are moderate bunch.

12. Storm Boy

Ballydoyle import from Down Under that went close a couple of times in top sprints for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. Needed the run on Irish and stable debut when last of nine in Greenlands Stakes. Expected to make great strides as this his target.

13. Topgear

With a name like Topgear are we surprised he accelerated clear like that? 🤣

He wins the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes 💥@godolphin pic.twitter.com/KSyYaccPgo

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) October 11, 2024

Four-time Group winner including his last three starts. Stays further, which is no disadvantage in an end-to-end gallop like this. Runner-up and fifth from Longchamp success last autumn have won since. Should go well for third generation training dynasty.

14. Flora Of Bermuda

Better than ever on her last two starts with a close third to Kind Of Blue in the Champions Sprint over course and distance in the autumn. Chased home and pressed Inisherin all the way on reappearance at her beloved York. Capable of at least hitting the frame again if building on those recent efforts.

15. Great Generation

A super ride from @linusghiani99!

Great Generation comes from last to first to win a second Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at @LingfieldPark for @MarcoBotti! pic.twitter.com/FGq6UlFEPD

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 10, 2025

Won three Group 3s over 7f at Lingfield and Doncaster including on reappearance latest. No match for Flora Of Bermuda, Lazzat or Topgear later in the season. Needs to  prove she can back up at a race and deliver at this level.

18. Nighteyes

Listed winner at Naas last summer. Ran well when third King Charles III runner-up Frost At Dawn and nearest at the finish at Haydock latest. Needs to improve from that here, but could well be doing it for a canny trainer who often likes his runners delivered late.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes 2025 Shortlist & Verdict

An obvious angle into this os course and distance winner Inisherin, but the French have a strong hand so LAZZAT and TOPGEAR are worth hedging your bets on. We saw in the King Charles III and other big field races up the home straight throughout the Royal meeting how draw bias plays a key role in shaping fortunes.

The best horses don’t always win these events. Others to consider in a cracking edition include Flora Of Bermuda, who made Inisherin work for his Duke Of York success last time. Japan’s Satono Reve and Ireland’s Australian import Storm Boy bring international form lines, which could easily be as good as anything European.

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