Royal Ascot is a truly British institution, a staple of summer, but the five-day extravaganza is also a wonderful global phenomenon, with horses travelling from afar in order to try and grab a slice of history.
International runners help bind together the various strands of global form and bring a unique feel to Royal Ascot, with runners from the United States, Australia and elsewhere adding to the occasion.
We are taking a look at some of the possible international contenders heading for the famous Berkshire venue in 2025.
Outfielder – Wesley Ward
American trainer Wesley Ward is a regular at Royal Ascot, noted for his ability to handle speedy youngsters, and he could have yet another such contender in the form of Outfielder.
The youngster assumed the position of second favourite for the Norfolk Stakes after making an explosive debut in the US in May.
He shot six-and-a-quarter-lengths clear of Skipping Stars in the 5f maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, thus earmarking himself as a possible Royal Ascot player.
Ward bagged his maiden Royal Ascot winner in 2009 when Strike The Tiger landed the Windsor Castle Stakes and his regular visits since include two wins in the Norfolk with No Nay Never and Shang Shang Shang.
Outfielder is by the top-class American sire Speightstown and runs in colours well known to UK racegoers for Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing.
Asfoora – Henry Dwyer
Aussie sprinters have a long association with this meeting and Asfoora was the latest from Down Under to excel in the northern hemisphere when she won the 2024 running of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes.
The mare was denied a head by Big Evs at Glorious Goodwood on her next start and could only finish fourth in the Nunthorpe at York behind Bradsell in two further UK runs last summer.
Back on home soil, she returned to action with a win in a Group 3 before a midfield finish in a Group 1, after which her trainer labelled her ‘flat’.
Oisin Murphy struck up a good relationship with Asfoora last summer and connections are hopeful the champion jockey will be available again.
Map Of Stars – Francis-Henri Graffard
The French are regular raiders at Royal Ascot and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is plotting a crack at the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes with Map Of Stars.
The four-year-old Sea The Stars colt boasts a career record of five wins from seven starts and has been progressing nicely this spring in his homeland.
He won a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud then a first Group 2 at Longchamp before going within a neck behind Sosie in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at the Parisian layout in late April.
That form has been strongly advertised since and his trainer believes there could be more to come on faster conditions underfoot.
Zarigana – Francis-Henri Graffard
Graffard also looks set to send Zarigana to Royal Ascot after her controversial win in the French 1000 Guineas last time.
She went into that contest with three wins from four starts but was seemingly denied a head by Shes Perfect over a mile in that Longchamp Group 1.
Shes Perfect was first past the post but was later disqualified, as Zarigana was awarded the win after suffering some interference.
She was a possible key player in this contest even before the news that Lake Victoria would be missing Royal Ascot.
Satono Reve – Noriyuki Hori
Japanese interest at this meeting always generates headlines and leading sprinter Satono Reve in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for Noriyuki Hori could be one of the main contenders to provide a first winner for the Asian nation.
Winner of the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March, Satono Reve chased home Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in April
Further interest from the Far East could come from Group 3 Saudi Derby runner-up Shin Forever in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Daishin Pisces in the Gold Cup, both trained by Hideyuki Mori.
Laurelin – Graham Motion
US trainer Graham Motion has been second twice in the Coronation Stakes with Sharing (2020) and Spendarella (2022).
He could now be trying to win with Laurelin. A dual winner at Aqueduct last year, she kicked off her 2025 campaign with a Listed success at the same New York course in April and this Ascot contest has been touted.
Further US interest could stem from Queen Anne Stakes entry Grand Mo The First, who would be a first Royal Ascot runner for Florida trainer Victor Barboza Jr.
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