The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes is a handicap run over 1m4f. It takes place at 15:40 on Friday 20th June, which is the fourth 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

20⁽⁶⁾

20/0-6

HMS President

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

9-3

112

8yo whose last turf Flat run was in May 2024 (tailed off) with some fair hurdles form since; three seconds and two fourths from his five visits to Ascot, most notably when beaten a neck in this race two years ago off the same mark as today; that followed a 1m6f win and he's not entirely dismissed even though the 1m6f Copper Horse on Tuesday (first reserve) was seemingly his preferred engagement this week; usually wore headgear in 2021 and 2022, now tries a first-time visor.

10⁽¹⁹⁾

-63180

Max Mayhem

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Hilal Kobeissi

9-7

100

111

Not often seen on ground firmer than good, best of those runs when creditable sixth in this race two years ago; won stylishly at Meydan (1m4f, good) in March but put in his place (behind some on today's rivals) off career-high marks back in Britain both starts since.

NR⁽⁵⁾

7-2630

See Hector

T: Jamie Osborne

9-11

104

113

All three wins were 1m Group 3s on the continent, latest August 2023; joined current yard for three runs at Meydan this January-March, running on well from the back when second in a 1m1f handicap and when third of seven in a steadily run Group 2 on first attempt at 1m4f; further investigation of this trip, however, saw a poor show when 40-1 for handicap at York last month.

1⁽¹⁴⁾

050-13

Teumessias Fox

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

9-12

105

113

Seems to have found his niche on the Kempton AW, where he won the 1m3f Rosebery handicap in March and was third in a 1m2f Listed race in April; however, he ran well only once from six starts on turf last season and has a career-high mark today; cheekpieces (tried once in 2023) return.

6⁽¹¹⁾

200-65

Naqeeb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

9-10

103

114

2024 proved very disappointing, a false dawn when beaten a head at Newbury (2m, good to firm) in July off today's mark; left William Haggas for 170,000gns and seems to be getting his act together again judged on two 1m4f handicaps this term; needs a second look in his bid to emulate exalted half-brothers Baaeed and Hukum who both had spectacular days at Ascot.

19⁽²⁾

90-923

Satin

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

9-3

110

Progressive in 2023 and well handicapped on best of that form; it's not been repeated and she finished last in her only two races (last August) on firmer than good; while there's renewed hope to be gained from the competitive displays on her last two outings, others look more potent as win prospects.

2⁽²¹⁾

1517-4

Flight Leader

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

9-12

105

111

Unraced on firmer than good; 4-10 in France for Andre Fabre before sold for 100,000gns in October and gelded; ran well at 33-1 when never-dangerous fourth of nine for a handicap at Chester (10.3f, good) on British debut, but this new trip needs to spark some improvement and it's a bit disconcerting that he was unraced beyond 10.5f in France; tongue tied first time.

15⁽⁴⁾

/143-2

Auld Toon Loon

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

9-4

113

Won at a much lower level on good to firm in 2023, unraced on it since; relished return to Flat for new yard last autumn and carried on the good work this season, seeing daylight too late when beaten a head at Chester (10.3f, good) latest start; stays 1m4f; up another 3lb and drawn 4 (so needs to find his way through the pack) but his career is gathering serious momentum again.

9⁽¹⁸⁾

7-4321

Stressfree

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-9

102

111

Comes from off the pace and has often met trouble in running; built an extremely solid sequence at about 1m2f nevertheless and now he's set off in the same vein at 1m4f, when beaten a head at York (first run on good to firm) and swooping to snatch a useful race at Haydock (good); raised another 5lb but has to be in each-way calculations.

18⁽⁷⁾

31/24-

Ethical Diamond

J: Ryan Moore

T: W P Mullins

9-3

114

Tricky to settle but fourth in this race last year (good to firm) off 2lb lower and the same this March in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham; ran respectably in his latest hurdle race too and this is his first time hooded in a Flat race; considered.

NR⁽¹⁶⁾

16936-

Caviar Heights

T: William Haggas

9-11

104

113

Trained in 2023 by Andrew Balding and 2024 by Karl Burke; improved when winning a five-runner Listed race in good style at Newmarket (1m2f, good) in May last term; he didn't kick on from that (well held on fast ground at this meeting) but was sold for 520,000gns in October, has been gelded and this will be his handicap/stable debut over new trip (mixed pedigree for stamina); it will be interesting to gauge his strength in the market.

17⁽³⁾

/6240-

Blue Lemons

J: Billy Loughnane

T: W P Mullins

9-4

113

Won the first of seven Flat races for Richard Hannon, last seen in this sphere when among the backmarkers in the 1m Britannia here (33-1; sole start on good to firm) 12 months ago; very hit and miss in his four hurdle races for the champion jumps trainer, albeit in top races when he failed to fire; connections are enough to earn him respect but Ethical Diamond is presumably their principal hope.

13⁽¹²⁾

397-22

War Rooms

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

9-6

110

Went the wrong way last year after his third in the Dante at York, starting off when well beaten at 40-1 in a 1m4f Group 2 at this meeting (his only start on firmer than good); left Owen Burrows for 155,000gns in October, gelded and returned with two seconds in 1m6f conditions events in Ireland, which gives renewed hope even though his form chance still relies on that run last May in the Dante; blinkered final 3yo start and now tries cheekpieces, for same connections who won this race last year.

7⁽¹⁰⁾

1/11-9

Hand Of God

J: William Buick

T: Harry Charlton

9-9

102

113

Won the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) in what turned out to be his final start last term; well below form when favourite again despite this 11lb higher mark at Newmarket (1m1f, good) seven weeks ago; more to prove over this trip too but there's some stamina in the family, he's lightly raced and the way he went clear 12 months ago can't be forgotten.

14⁽²²⁾

1-211

Almosh'her

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

9-5

115

Not seen on a racecourse until the end of 2024 but he's now won three of his four starts; first three races were tight finishes on AW when trained by Charlie Fellowes; debut for this yard came in 12-runner handicap at York (1m4f, good to firm) five weeks ago when he narrowly saw off the challenge of Stressfree; up another 5lb today and has joined Wathnan Racing for their big meeting; has been racing freely and prominently, so perhaps the widest draw today will pose a challenge, but he's shaping up to be a serious talent.

12⁽¹⁵⁾

/2612-

French Duke

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

9-6

115

Plenty went wrong when sixth in C&D handicap for 3yos at Royal Ascot 2024; held up again for two big 1m4f handicaps afterwards as 3yo when settling better in a hood and duly raising his game for a win at Glorious Goodwood (good to firm) and second here (soft); gelded since; "a little hiccup" denied him the prep race for this which his trainer wanted but this lightly raced 4yo has been relentlessly progressive so far.

16⁽⁹⁾

17-113

Brodure

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Xavier Blanchet

9-4

112

Spent most of last term over 1m3f/1m4f (won a maiden); hasn't looked back for new connections this year, winning her first two starts and going close in a 14-runner Listed race on latest; all those progressive runs were going left-handed on soft ground over 1m2f in the French provinces, keeping on well; she's a rising force but this is clearly a different test.

8⁽¹⁷⁾

312-45

Mount Atlas

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

9-9

102

112

Unraced on firmer than good; first and second in strong 1m4f handicaps last July/October, winning here on first occasion; creditable fourth to Teumessias Fox on return (AW) this March and seemed to show improved form when fifth of six in 1m5f Group 3 at Chester six weeks ago; the latter also earned him a 4lb rise in his handicap mark but he needs plenty of respect.

11⁽¹³⁾

437-44

Siege Of Troy

J: Oisin Murphy

T: J P Murtagh

9-6

110

Acts on firm; sole win is a maiden last June on first start in headgear (some form has been kept for all starts since); made an encouraging return over 9.5f before disappointing at 1m4f (which she does stay) in another Listed race later in May; tongue-tie is added and she needs overall improvement.

5⁽⁸⁾

46-515

Mutaawid

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-10

103

112

Blinkers reinstated for last two starts, on first occasion making most to score by 6l in a six-runner race at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm); had this 10lb higher mark when fair fifth of 13 at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) two weeks ago, galloping on as if a return to this trip (he won a 1m4f novice last term) would be okay; needs to resume improvement, though.

RACING POST TIP

Hand Of God

Ethical Diamond (second choice) is hooded this time round and should settle better than when he took fourth in this race last year, hitting the front rank briefly just inside the final furlong. Stressfree, French Duke and Mount Atlas hold clear each-way prospects but preference is for HAND OF GOD who grabbed the 3yo handicap over 1m2f at this meeting last year. He did that in hugely authoritative fashion and his rather muted show seven weeks ago came after a 315-day absence, so that can hopefully be forgiven. Almosh'her may be raw but he brings the most potential, while Naqeeb and Auld Toon Loon hold interest among the bigger prices.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2024	Crystal Black [4]	6	9-10	11/1	Gerard Keane	Colin Keane
2023	Okita Soushi [9]	5	9-9	9/1	Joseph Patrick O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2022	Candleford [18]	4	8-12	11/2	William Haggas	Tom Marquand
2021	Quickthorn [19]	4	9-3	7/2F	Hughie Morrison	Oisin Murphy
2020	Scarlet Dragon [12]	7	9-2	33/1	Alan King	Hollie Doyle
2019	Baghdad [12]	4	9-8	7/2F	Mark Johnston	Ryan Moore
2018	Dash Of Spice [14]	4	9-3	7/2F	David Elsworth	Silvestre De Sousa
2017	Rare Rhythm [19]	5	9-2	20/1	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2016	Kinema [19]	5	9-4	8/1	Ralph Beckett	Fran Berry
2015	Arab Dawn [21]	4	9-2	6/1J	Hughie Morrison	Richard Hughes
2014	Arab Spring [12]	4	9-10	11/4F	Sir Michael Stoute	Ryan Moore

Key race stats 2025

Key trends

Achieved best RPR in a Class 2 or 3 handicap or equivalent, 10/10
Drawn in double figures, 8/10
Aged four or five, 8/10
Top-three finish last time, 7/10 (six won)
Officially rated between 96 and 102, 7/10

Other factors

Four of the last ten winners started favourite, including one joint-favourite.

What happened in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes last year?

Colin Keane rode CRYSTAL BLACK to victory for his father and trainer Ger. The progressive six-year-old had won four of his last five starts coming into this contest and defied a further 5lb rise in the weights on this step up to 1m4f, relishing the extra distance and pulling clear of his rivals late on. Ethical Diamond, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ryan Moore, was popular with punters and sent off favourite but could only finish fourth. Epic Poet and Ziggy filled second and third. Crystal Black was the second-oldest winner in the past decade – only seven-year-old Scarlet Dragon (2020) was older.

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

15:40 Royal Ascot