Royal Ascot Day 2 recap: Ombudsman handles class jump in Prince of Wales’s Stakes

The second day of 2025 racing at Royal Ascot in England delivered a flashy performance from a promising juvenile and a bevy of exciting finishes.

Queen Mary (G2)

Trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore picked up their second win of the meet together when True Love delivered as the favorite in the Queen Mary, a five-furlong dash for juvenile fillies.

Although the daughter of No Nay Never lost her two preps for Royal Ascot, World Pool bettors pounded the Coolmore filly to 2-1 favoritism in a 23-horse field. Their confidence surely stemmed from True Love’s close runner-up finish in a Navan maiden race to Gstaad, who won the Coventry (G2) on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

True Love flattered Gstaad’s form with a sharp performance of her own. Showing speed from the start, True Love led a group of seven fillies racing on the near side of the course and stayed on strongly when the real running began, prevailing by 1 1/4 lengths while stopping the clock in :59.65 over good-to-firm turf.

“True Love had two very good runs, finishing second to a good filly [Lady Imam] the first time and then our own colt beat her the second time,” said O’Brien. “Ryan said he thought she would be better when she steps up to six furlongs. The only thing is that she was drawn by herself. There was no pace where she was, so she had to do her own work, and that’s what Ryan did. He was excellent on her. He wasn’t going to wait on anybody. I think probably the strongest part of her was the last half a furlong—when she got going, she really powered away.

“She is a big, mature, strong filly; walking around the ring, she was like a four-year-old, and that's not making little of anything else. She is just so big, mature, and scopey. She is something to look forward to.”

Flowerhead took second place by half a length over the American filly Lennilu, followed by Cardiff by the Sea, Staya, Shine On Me, Eskimo Pie, Zelaina, Come On Eibhlin, Spicy Marg, Revival Power, Society Kiss, Love Olivia, Justice Twice, Secret Hideaway, Paris Carver, Solana Rose, Guernsey Lady, Miss Yechance, Viamarie, Social Exclusion, and Caitlin G. Harry’s Girl pulled up with an unfortunately fatal injury. American and Eternal Solace scratched.

Queen’s Vase (G2)

Favorite backers in the World Pool enjoyed a second straight win as 3-1 choice Carmers delivered on expectations in the 1 3/4-mile Queen’s Vase for three-year-olds.

Always forwardly placed under jockey Billy Lee, Carmers proved relentless in a prolonged homestretch drive, outkicking Further, Rahiebb, and Shackletown to prevail by three-quarters of a length in a crowded finish. The son of Wootton Bassett brought his record to a perfect 3-for-3 and reached the finish line in 2:59.53, a stakes record.

Scandinavia, Hallelujah U, Titanium Emperor, Pinhole, Too Soon, Asmarani, Spinning Wheel, Al Wasl Storm, and Devil’s Advocate trailed the field.

“The race went to plan all the way,” said Lee. “Carmers jumped well and had a great position. I was able to just hack away, but I got him rolling early from five out just to get him going forward; he takes a while to build up a head of steam, and I knew he would stay well.

“I wanted to stretch them, so I was always going to try to make it a stamina test. You can see him there, pricking his ears going to the line, just doing enough. Staying was always going to be a forte of his. He is so laid back, he wouldn't pass out the dog at home. He is just that type of character and saves plenty. I knew when I got stuck into him he'd keep finding.”

Winning trainer Paddy Twomey indicated the St Leger (G1), the final leg of the British Triple Crown, is a possible target for Carmers.

“He is obviously going to have an entry in the St Leger; we will see,” said Twomey. “He has ran three times, won three times, and hopefully he continues doing that. We have nice horses and good owners, and it’s fantastic to be able to come here with them. This is my first Royal Ascot winner.”

Duke of Cambridge (G2)

For the second time in three years, Crimson Advocate proved victorious at Royal Ascot, storming home from off the pace to take the Duke of Cambridge for fillies and mares traversing one mile over the round course.

Back in 2023, when based in the U.S. under the care of George Weaver, Crimson Advocate won the Queen Mary by a nose. In 2024, she transferred to the care of John and Thady Gosden in England, but struggled in her second Royal Ascot appearance, finishing 15th in the five-furlong King Charles III (G1).

This year, Crimson Advocate has stretched out over one mile with impressive results. She entered the Duke of Cambridge off a second in the Snowdrop Fillies’ S. at Kempton and a win in the Conqueror Fillies’ S. at Goodwood, and in her third Royal Ascot appearance, she settled at the back of a seven-horse field before surging in deep stretch to dominate by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:38.60.

“We knew Crimson Advocate would run a big race, although I didn’t expect her to go by those three fillies,” said John Gosden. “Running Lion won it last year, the second and third are Group 1 fillies. I said to James, ‘just settle her.’ He did a beautiful job. She was in really great hands.”

Cinderella’s Dream, winner of the Belmont Oaks (G1) and runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) in the U.S. last year, launched a grinding rally from off the pace to secure second place by a head over Fallen Angel and defending Duke of Cambridge winner Running Lion. Start of Day, One Look, and Soprano completed the order of finish, while Elmalka scratched due to unsuitable course conditions.

“At the furlong marker, I thought Running Lion had it—the commentator thought the same too—then suddenly, this filly comes… impressive,” continued Gosden. “Last year, she came in from America, and the plan was to run her in the King Charles III. William [Buick] rode her and said, ‘John, she was looking for a bend after three furlongs’, being an American filly.”

“We settled her, gave her a long time off, and she ran really well in the Snowdrop, finishing strongly. Rab [Havlin] settled her at Goodwood the other day, got up and won. Full marks to Rab and everyone, and Thady, who have been devoting their time to settling her. She sat in last and blew them away. I am absolutely thrilled. I have to say this one was not much to do with me.”

Prince of Wales’s (G1)

John and Thady Gosden struck again in the 1 1/4-mile Prince of Wales’s (G1), the feature event of the day and a “Win and You’re In” qualifier to the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Despite running into traffic trouble, Ombudsman proved clearly best in the end.

The Godolphin-owned four-year-old exited a runner-up finish in the Brigadier Gerard (G3), his 2025 debut. But as a sophomore last year, Ombudsman went undefeated in four starts, including a triumph in the Prix du Prince d’Orange (G3).

World Pool bettors overlooked Ombudsman as a 7-1 chance against the 4-5 choice Los Angeles, but the latter tired after tracking the pace and settled for fifth place by seven lengths. In the meantime, late-running Ombudsman had to hunt for racing room under William Buick before switching outside and surging past the leaders to win by two lengths in 2:02.51.

“The plan was to just relax off the pace, which was strong and set up for Los Angeles, who is a real dour, long-striding staying horse, but to that extent we knew we’d be comfortable where we were,” said John Gosden. “It was just the question of when you get in the straight, would you get the luck? William wasn’t in a position where he could swing around the field; it was more a case of waiting for the gap. And he was very patient, but I knew when he got a gap at the furlong pole, that this horse has an extraordinary turn of foot. So he was patient and he was rewarded.”

Anmaat also closed ground to take second place by a clear margin over See The Fire, followed by Map of Stars, Los Angeles, Facteur Cheval, Royal Champion, and Continuous.

“This place tames lions,” said Buick. “It is so special to win here because it's so tough. Everyone comes here in great form, and everyone is doing their very best, of course.

“Ombudsman was stepping up in grade today. I rode him at home and he was really well. He'd have been a very unlucky loser, wouldn't he? I was looking for room and had to switch him a couple of times, but he has won with a bit in hand. I was very impressed with what he did there, and he picked up instantly from me having to switch his course.

“I think for the moment he is a fast mile-and-a-quarter horse. That was a strong run mile and a quarter; they went hard, and he has a great turn of foot. I am sure stepping him up to a mile and a half will be spoken about, but I wouldn't have thought that discussion would need to be had just yet.”

The third day of racing at Royal Ascot, slated for Thursday, brings four more group stakes led by the historic 2 1/2-mile Gold Cup (G1).