King Charles III Stakes Tips & Preview - Each-way value available in Royal Ascot Group 1

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: 16 Jun 2025

Share

Jon Vine 16 Jun 2025

Share this article

2025 King Charles III Stakes commemorates King Charles III's first year on the throne.
Asfoora defends her title; significant contenders include West Acre and Kerdos.
West Acre and Kerdos offer exciting value bets in this competitive race.

Expired

Asfoora (centre) beating Kerdos (third right, black silks) in last year's King Charles III Stakes. (Getty)

The King Charles III Stakes was renamed to commemorate a year on the throne for King Charles III in 2024 and and 23 top sprinters have been confirmed in this year's renewal.

Who will sprint to victory and take the prestigious Group 1?

2025 King Charles III Stakes Runners

A huge field has been confirmed for Tuesday's second Group One. Asfoora returns to defend her crown, and Oisin Murphy renews his partnership with Henry Dwyer's raider. Believing has joined her Australian rival at the head of the market, but Ryan Moore will have to navigate a potentially tricky draw in stall one.

Last year's runner-up, Regional sits prominently in the market, along with the fast-starting Night Raider. Breeders' Cup hero, Starlust was only seventh behind Ed Walker's Mgheera on his reappearance in the Temple Stakes and both feature in this field.

American Affair enters Group One company for the first time, while three-year-old West Acre will be having his first run on British turf in this competitive contest. Bucanero Fuerte returned to action with a Listed win in Ireland, while Rumstar and Balmoral Lady enter on the back of impressive pattern-race victories.

Jasour is one of several runners in this field who still hold an entry in Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. Like West Acre, Tropical Storm and Aesterius will try to make the most of a handy three-year-old weight allowance.

Monteille and Estepona fly the flag for France in this high-profile sprint. No Half Measures, Kerdos, Washington Heights, Frost At Dawn, Twilight Calls and Manaccan also feature in the field.

King Charles III Stakes Tips

My usual MO with the sprints at Royal Ascot is to try and find some value. Even though the most likely pace setters have been drawn towards the centre, there's every chance, with so many runners confirmed, that the field will split into two distinct groups - so I'm going to back one on either side of the track.

I'm hoping that the highest draw of all won't prove a problem for WEST ACRE, who raced twice on the all-weather before heading out to Meydan in the winter.

George Scott's youngster ran a blinder on his first turf start in the UAE, losing out by just a head to Symbol Of Honour - winner of the Carnarvon and Sandy Lane Stakes since - in the Al Wasl Stakes, with future Group One dirt winner Dark Saffron five lengths adrift in third. West Acre then claimed back-to-back Group wins, beating 109-rated Ponntos on both occasions and setting a new five-furlong track record with a three-and-a-half length demolition job in the Blue Point Sprint.

Callum Shepherd's mount took his chance in the six-furlong Al Quoz Sprint, where West Acre travelled nicely into contention from a wide draw but couldn't find an extra gear over that longer trip. Since returning to Britain, Scott has been training his budding stable star for this five-furlong test of speed, and West Acre has enough talent to compete with the best over the minimum distance.

On the low side of the track, I'm happy to chance KERDOS at a massive price. Clive Cox's sprinter won the Temple Stakes at Haydock last term, and went on to contend in four top sprints later in the season.

Kerdos wasn't beaten far when fifth in this Group One 12 months ago, before finishing behind largely the same rivals when fifth again in the King George Qatar Stakes. Clive Cox's raider then placed fourth behind Bradsell and Believing in the Flying Five at the Curragh, before struggling a little from a low draw when sixth in the Prix de l'Abbaye.

Despite all of his best form coming over the minimum distance, Cox upped Kerdos to six furlongs for his return in the Duke Of York Stakes, where he was far too keen early on to have a chance of getting that longer trip. Dropping back down in distance will suit this former Group Two winner and Cox has secured the services of top French pilot, Christophe Soumillon, who will attempt to execute waiting tactics on this very capable sprinter.

Verdict

2025 King Charles III Stakes

West Acre and Kerdos are our value bets in the 2025 King Charles III Stakes.

West Acre

Each-Way

@20/1 - 5 Units

Referral Code BESTBETS

World's Largest Betting Site

Our bet365.com.au referral code is BESTBETS. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers but can be used during registration. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Call Gambler's Help; National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au 18+

Bet at bet365

Kerdos

Each-Way

@50/1 - 5 Units

Fast. Reliable. Trusted.

Referral Code: BLACKBOOK

18+ T&Cs and wagering requirements apply & available on website. CHANCES ARE YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE. Set a deposit limit. www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. 1800 858 858

Bet at Neds