The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Rank 29 in 2024 The World’s Top 100 G1 Races for 3YO and Upwards) is the only G1 on the second day of Royal Ascot. Run over 2000m, it is known for bringing together the best middle-distance horses aged four and older.
The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Rank 29 in 2024 The World’s Top 100 G1 Races for 3YO and Upwards) is the only G1 on the second day of Royal Ascot. Run over 2000m, it is known for bringing together the best middle-distance horses aged four and older.
World Pool Ambassador Some still doubt LOS ANGELES, but that doesn’t bother me, he’s rock-solid and I wouldn’t swap him for anything. He’s two from two this year and I think the mile-and-a-quarter at Ascot will suit him really well. Anmaat won the Champions Stakes in October and ran well behind us at the Curragh last time, he’s an obvious challenger. See The Fire has been supplemented at a fair cost. She couldn’t have been any more impressive in the Middleton Stakes at York and is a very nice filly, but I wonder if she’s maybe just very well suited to the Knavesmire rather than Ascot. Map Of Stars hasn’t done much wrong in his career and was a little unlucky when second in the Prix Ganay last time, and then Ombudsman is a talented horse that I’ve ridden a couple of times. He’ll probably run a big race but might not want the ground too quick. Facteur Cheval is a high-class horse as well, making this an intriguing renewal. 
Ryan Moore
G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
Bill Esdaile
City AM - Racing Editor
Graham Cunningham
HKJC Simulcast Commentator
• Trainer Aidan O'Brien has won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes five times.
• For jockeys, Ryan Moore and James Doyle have been the most successful, each won three times in the race.
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
Running Style:
Backmarker
Midfield
Prominent
LeaderLast 5 Performances:
Date | Course and Distance | Jockey | Draw
1. ANMAAT
J: Jim Crowley
T: Owen Burrows
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 8
Last 5 performances
25/5/25 | CUR 2100m | Jim Crowley | (6)
19/10/24 | ASC 2000m | Jim Crowley | (5)
5/10/24 | LCH 1950m | Jim Crowley | (3)
10/8/24 | HAY 2091m | Jim Crowley | (6)
29/5/23 | LCH 1850m | Jim Crowley | (3)
2. CERTAIN LAD
J: George Bass
T: Jack Channon
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 9
Last 5 performances
9/5/25 | CHE 2064m | George Bass | (4)
6/4/25 | LCH 2000m | George Bass | (5)
8/9/24 | LCH 2000m | George Bass | (6)
24/8/24 | WDS 2000m | George Bass | (5)
10/8/24 | HAY 2091m | George Bass | (2)
3. CONTINUOUS
J: Wayne Lordan
T: Aidan O'Brien
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 7
Last 5 performances
6/6/25 | EPS 2405m | Wayne Lordan | (4)
25/5/25 | CUR 2100m | Wayne Lordan | (5)
16/5/25 | YOR 2771m | Ryan Moore | (3)
5/4/25 | MEY 3200m | Dylan McMonagle | (6)
22/2/25 | KAR 3000m | Ryan Moore | (7)
4. FACTEUR CHEVAL
J: Flavien Prat
T: Jerome Reynier
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 4
Last 5 performances
5/4/25 | MEY 1800m | Maxime Guyon | (11)
22/2/25 | KAR 1800m Dirt | Mickael Barzalona | (12)
24/1/25 | MEY 1900m Dirt | Mickael Barzalona | (4)
19/10/24 | ASC 1600m | Maxime Guyon | (3)
31/7/24 | GOO 1600m | Maxime Guyon | (4)
5. LOS ANGELES
J: Ryan Moore
T: Aidan O'Brien
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 5
Last 5 performances
25/5/25 | CUR 2100m | Ryan Moore | (7)
5/5/25 | CUR 2000m | Ryan Moore | (4)
19/10/24 | ASC 2000m | Ryan Moore | (10)
6/10/24 | LCH 2400m | Ryan Moore | (10)
14/9/24 | LEO 2000m | Dylan McMonagle | (5)
6. MAP OF STARS
J: James Doyle
T: Francis-Henri Graffard
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 2
Last 5 performances
27/4/25 | LCH 2100m | Mickael Barzalona | (5)
6/4/25 | LCH 2000m | James Doyle | (1)
16/3/25 | STC 2000m | James Doyle | (2)
26/10/24 | CHY 2000m | Christophe Soumillon | (2)
8/9/24 | LCH 2000m | Mickael Barzalona | (6)
7. OMBUDSMAN
J: William Buick
T: John & Thady Gosden
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 1
Last 5 performances
29/5/25 | SAN 1990m | Ryan Moore | (4)
8/9/24 | LCH 2000m | William Buick | (2)
11/8/24 | DEA 2000m | Ryan Moore | (9)
18/7/24 | LEI 2000m | William Buick | (4)
22/6/24 | NEWJ 1600m | Benoit de la Sayette | (8)
8. ROYAL CHAMPION
J: Clifford Lee
T: Karl Burke
Wt.: 128 Dr.: 6
Last 5 performances
25/4/25 | SAN 1990m | Clifford Lee | (2)
22/2/25 | SOU 2221m Tapeta | Clifford Lee | (7)
31/12/24 | LIN 2000m Polytrack | Clifford Lee | (1)
9/11/24 | FLEM 2000m | Craig Williams | (8)
26/10/24 | M V 1600m | Mark Zahra| (7)
9. SEE THE FIRE
J: Oisin Murphy
T: Andrew Balding
Wt.: 125 Dr.: 3
Last 5 performances
15/5/25 | YOR 2051m | Oisin Murphy | (4)
25/4/25 | SAN 1990m | Oisin Murphy | (3)
19/10/24 | ASC 2000m | Daniel Tudhope | (3)
5/10/24 | NEW 1600m | Oisin Murphy | (5)
24/8/24 | YOR 1761m | Oisin Murphy | (8)
SPEED MAP
Talking Horse & Sneaker
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are for reference only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
Oisin Murphy hopeful of 'career best' as wide-margin York winner See The Fire joins Prince of Wales's party at Royal Ascot
View Details >
Reynier favouring Prince Of Wales’s Stakes with FACTEUR CHEVAL
View Details >
Reynier favouring Prince Of Wales’s Stakes with FACTEUR CHEVAL
Information provided by Racing & Sports
29/05/2025
FACTEUR CHEVAL provided Reynier with a breakthrough Group 1 victory when landing the 2024 Dubai Turf at Meydan and is no stranger to running on British shores having made the journey across the Channel no fewer than five times.
The son of RIBCHESTER finished an excellent runner-up to PADDINGTON in the 2023 renewal of the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, before filling the same spot behind compatriot BIG ROCK in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot later that year, leaving connections eyeing further British riches.
However, despite finishing sixth in last season’s Queen Anne Stakes prior to highly creditable efforts over 1600m behind NOTABLE SPEECH and CHARYN in repeat bids to claim the Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Reynier is eyeing a new approach for FACTEUR CHEVAL’s latest trip to Berkshire.
Following a tough three-run spell in the Middle East, which was rounded out by a very respectable sixth-place finish when bidding to defend his Dubai Turf crown after two outings on the dirt, Facteur Cheval has returned to training in his homeland, with the Marseille-based handler now keen to step his charge up to 2000m for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
“Facteur Cheval came back really well from Dubai, he looks good and he’s working well,” said Reynier.
“He’s happy and that’s the main thing, to keep him mentally well after his three runs in the Middle East during his winter campaign.
“The Al Maktoum Challenge, the Saudi Cup and the Dubai Turf were three tough battles, but he ran well three times.
“The plan is to probably go to the Prince of Wales’s Stakes rather than the Queen Anne because we think with age he can stay over a mile and a quarter.
“We’ll see what the opposition is like and how the ground is going to be, we’re pretty happy with him.”
Facteur Cheval will have a new jockey when heading to Ascot next month, with Barry Irwin, racing manager for owners Team Valor International, confirming that the French-born USA-based star Flavien Prat will take the ride.
Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.
Oisin Murphy hopeful of 'career best' as wide-margin York winner See The Fire joins Prince of Wales's party at Royal Ascot
Source: Racing Post, Scott Burton
12/06/2025
See The Fire is the unexpected late arrival to the Prince of Wales's Stakes party after owner Jeff Smith and trainer Andrew Balding agreed to supplement her for the day-two highlight at Royal Ascot for £70,000.
With Tattersalls Gold Cup principals Los Angeles and Anmaat among the six-day confirmations along with star French-trained duo Map Of Stars and Facteur Cheval, the £1 million Group 1 was already shaping up as one of the races of the week. But the progressive See The Fire appeared to take another big step forward when streaking 12 lengths clear of her rivals in the Middleton Stakes at York and has a chance to add her name to those of Ouija Board, The Fugue and Love, the three previous fillies to strike since the Prince of Wales's was made a Group 1 in 2000.
Oisin Murphy will likely be on board the daughter of Sea The Stars again, having sat almost motionless on her as she scythed through her rivals before powering clear in the Middleton last month.
"See The Fire was really impressive at York and Andrew has been pleased with her since," said Murphy.
"It’s a great race but everyone is looking forward to her. We are very hopeful she can run a career best. We obviously have huge respect for the opposition in the race."
Having come within a neck of opening her Group 1 account in last season's Nassau Stakes, See The Fire appears to have progressed again at four after clearly needing the run behind Anmaat in her comeback at Sandown in April.
"She's very strong through her body and stands over plenty of ground," said Murphy. "She’s bred to be very good and it’s great for Jeff Smith and everyone at Littleton Stud to have bred and produced such a quality filly."
Murphy enjoyed an excellent Royal Ascot in 2024, with four winners on the board, and is hopeful that Running Lion may be coming into form at just the right time to defend her title in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes 40 minutes before See The Fire is due to run.
Running Lion has not visited the winner's enclosure in the intervening year, though she ran an excellent second to stablemate Friendly Soul in the Prix de l'Opera last October and has produced an improved effort from her first to her second start this season.
Murphy said: "Running Lion ran very well at Haydock and she enjoys going right-handed as she proved when winning the Duke of Cambridge and running so well on Arc day at Longchamp.
"Everyone is looking forward to her taking her chance, while Cinderella’s Dream and Fallen Angel are high class and represent a strong level of competition."
Wathnan Racing will be hopeful of landing the Queen Mary Stakes again with last year's winning trainer Karl Burke responsible for favourite Zelaina – set to be ridden by James Doyle – while they could also field the Archie Watson-trained Shine On Me, for whom William Buick has been booked.
Al Wasl Storm and Nightwalker have been given the option of a fast turnaround from the Derby in the Group 2 Queen's Vase over 1m6f, which has attracted 20 entries.
The market principals for the Royal Hunt Cup all stood their ground at the six-day confirmation stage, with the Roger Varian-trained favourite My Cloud vaulting to number 35 on the list, just five places away from a guaranteed run in the race.Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.