King Edward VII Stakes
 QuinnBet
Group 2, Ascot 17:35
£250,000 guaranteed,
3yo only,
1m 3f 233y, Class 1   
Friday 20th June 2025

Boylesports

Often dubbed the “Royal Ascot Derby” — this race is shaping up as a fascinating rerun of old ambitions and fresh intent, with a cast of 18 featuring both Epsom escapees and those seeking swift redemption.

Among them, Wimbledon Hawkeye brings a different form line entirely. Fifth in the 2000 Guineas, James Owen’s colt skipped the Derby altogether and arrives here as a horse purpose-built for this prize, fully tuned and with nothing left to prove at a mile.

In contrast, the Epsom-tested trio of Green Storm, Nightwalker and Tuscan Hills all found the unique demands of the Downs a stretch too far — but each retains an entry here and elsewhere at the meeting, with connections no doubt weighing up the chance for revenge under the royal spotlight.

Amiloc remains unbeaten for Ralph Beckett and could yet go this route — though the stamina-laden Queen’s Vase may call louder for this son of Camelot, who has done little wrong in quieter waters.

Then there’s Convergent, representing that red-hot Chester Vase form — a trial that now looks golden, having produced the Derby’s one-two. Trained by Karl Burke, he’ll have his supporters if lining up.

From the back of the pack to the front of the conversation – Zahrann's electric turn of foot at Leopardstown has launched him into contention, with this contest under serious consideration for Johnny Murtagh’s promising son of  Sea The Stars.

After shaping with promise at Navan and routing rivals at Cork, Zahrann took a sharp rise in class in the Listed King George V Cup – and passed with flying colours. Still green, still learning, but full of running, he swept from last to first under the late Aga Khan’s famous silks, a performance that turned heads and turned plans.

Ascot was mentioned in the immediate aftermath and, as Pat Downes, general manager of the Aga Khan’s Irish studs, confirmed: ‘He’ll have an entry in the King Edward. We’ll see how he is over the next few days – it’s about what’s best for the horse.’

The Leopardstown win came despite a modest pace and a wide run off the home turn – ‘He did well to pick them up and win well at the line,’ said Downes – and while there was a whisper of an Irish Derby supplement, the timeline may prove too tight. ‘It’s either-or, not both,’ he added. ‘Given where he is in his career, a smaller step may be wiser than a bigger one.’

Zahrann could spearhead a select Aga Khan team at the Royal meeting, with Reyenzi also on the list. First past the post in the Gallinule but demoted for interference, he’s heading for the Hampton Court, while French-trained duo Zarigana and Candelari are bound for the Coronation Stakes and Gold Cup respectively.

From Leopardstown to Royal Ascot in a matter of weeks, Zahrann has put himself in the mix – and if he lines up next week, he won’t just be making up the numbers.”

Cleeve Racing £10 trial

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
£250,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 3f 211y, Class 1
18 entries
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 11-11 Amiloc 3 - Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan
2 11 Carmers 3 - P Twomey
3 1-13 Convergent 3 - K R Burke Clifford Lee
4 31-64 Devil's Advocate 3 - John & Thady Gosden
5 315-22 Emit 3 - Joseph O'Brien
6 71-71 Galveston 3 - A P O'Brien
7 122-47 Green Storm 3 - Charlie Johnston Billy Loughnane
8 1-71 Masai Moon 3 - Charlie Appleby
9 351 Minhad 3 - Ismail Mohammed
10 13-350 Nightwalker 3 - John & Thady Gosden Colin Keane
11 4-14 Opportunity 3 - William Haggas James Doyle
12 7-21 Propose 3 - A P O'Brien
13 214-41 Puppet Master 3 - A P O'Brien
14 31-1 Regal Ulixes 3 - Andrew Balding
15 021-42 Sir Dinadan 3 - Ralph Beckett
16 11-70 Tuscan Hills 3 - Raphael E Freire
17 13-253 Wimbledon Hawkeye 3 - James Owen Silvestre De Sousa
18 211 Zahrann 3 - J P Murtagh

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KING EDWARD VII STAKES WINNERS

YR/DATE GR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WGT SP

2024 2 CALANDAGAN Francis-Henri Graffard FRStephane Pasquier Aga Khan IV 3-9-02 11/2
2023 2 KING OF STEEL Roger Varian Kevin Stott Amo Racing Limited 3 9-02 11/10F
2022 2 CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD Aidan O'Brien IRE Ryan Moore Westerberg, S Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith 3-9-02 11/10F
2021 2 ALENQUER William Haggas Tom Marquand M M Stables 3 9-00 13/8F
2020 2 PYLEDRIVER William Muir Martin Dwyer Knox & Wells Limited and R Devlin 3-9-00 18/1
2019 2 JAPAN Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor 3-9-00 6/4F
2018 2 OLD PERSIAN Charlie Appleby William Buick Godolphin 3-9-00 9/2
2017 2 PERMIAN Mark Johnston William Buick Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 3-9-00 6/1
2016 2 ACROSS THE STARS Sir Michael Stoute Frankie Dettori Saeed Suhail 3-9-00 7/1
2015 2 BALIOS David Simcock Jamie Spencer Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd 3-9-00 3/1
2014 2 EAGLE TOP John Gosden William Buick Lady Bamford 3-9-00 12/1
2013 2 HILLSTAR Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Sir Evelyn De Rothschild 3-8-12 15/2
2012 2 THOMAS CHIPPENDALE Sir Henry Cecil Johnny Murtagh Sir Robert Ogden 3-8-12 9/2
2011 2 NATHANIEL John Gosden William Buick Lady Rothschild 3-8-12 11/4F
2010 2 MONTEROSSO Mark Johnston Frankie Dettori Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 3-8-12 7/2
2009 2 FATHER TIME Henry Cecil Eddie Ahern Khalid Abdullah 3-8-12 9/1
2008 2 CAMPANOLOGIST Saeed Bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 3-8-12 9/1
2007 2 BOSCOBEL Mark Johnston Joe Fanning Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-12 7/1
06/23/06 2 PAPAL BULL Sir Michael Stoute Kieren Fallon Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor 3-8-12 5/4F
*05/17/06 2 PLEA BARGAIN John Gosden Jimmy Fortune Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-11 9/2
04/18/06 2 FIVE DYNASTIES Aidan O’Brien IRE Jamie Spencer Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor 3-8-11 11/4F
03/20/06 2 HIGH ACCOLADE Marcus Tregoning Martin Dwyer Lady Tennant 3-8-11 5/2F
02/21/06 2 BALAKHERI Sir Michael Stoute Johnny Murtagh H H Aga Khan 3-8-10 11/4F
01/22/06 2 STORMING HOME Barry Hills Michael Hills Maktoum Al Maktoum 3-8-08 9/2
00/23/06 2 SUBTLE POWER Henry Cecil Richard Quinn Thoroughbred Corporation 3-8-08 7/4F
99/18/06 2 MUTAFAWEQ Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 3-8-08 4/1F
98/19/06 2 ROYAL ANTHEM Henry Cecil Kieren Fallon Thoroughbred Corporation 3-8-08 9/4F
97/20/06 2 KINGFISHER MILL Julie Cecil Pat Eddery Lord Howard de Walden 3-8-08 9/4F
96/21/06 2 AMFORTAS Clive Brittain Brett Doyle Brian Voak 3-8-08 66/1
95/23/06 2 PENTIRE Geoff Wragg Michael Hills Mollers Racing 3-8-08 4/1
94/14/06 2 FOYER Michael Stoute Michael Kinane Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-08 7/2
93/15/06 2 BENEFICIAL Geoff Wragg Michael Hills Exors of late Sir Robin McAlpine 3-8-08 11/4F
92/16/06 2 BEYTON Richard Hannon snr Michael Kinane David Cock 3-8-08 12/1
91/18/06 2 SADDLERS’ HALL Michael Stoute Lester Piggott Lord Weinstock 3-8-08 7/1
90/19/06 2 PRIVATE TENDER Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Cliveden Stud 3-8-08 11/4F
89/20/06 2 CACOETHES Guy Harwood Pat Eddery Lady Harrison 3-8-08 8/13F
88/14/06 2 SHERIFF’S STAR Lady Herries Tony Ives Lavinia Duchess of Norfolk 3-8-08 9/2
87/16/06 2 LOVE THE GROOM John Dunlop Pat Eddery Mrs V Gaucci del Bono 3-8-08 7/1
86/17/06 2 BONHOMIE Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-08 9/4F
85/20/06 2 LANFRANCO Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Charles St George 3-8-06 13/8F
84/21/06 2 HEAD FOR HEIGHTS Dick Hern Willie Carson Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-06 5/1
83/16/06 2 SHAREEF DANCER Michael Stoute Walter Swinburn Maktoum Al Maktoum 3-8-06 10/1
82/17/06 2 OPEN DAY Dick Hern Willie Carson Sir Michael Sobell 3-8-06 9/1
81/18/06 2 BUSTOMI Dick Hern Willie Carson Lady Beaverbrook 3-8-06 13/2
80/19/06 2 LIGHT CAVALRY Henry Cecil Joe Mercer Jim Joel 3-8-06 9/2
79/21/06 2 ELA-MANA-MOU Guy Harwood Greville Starkey Mrs Andry Muinos 3-8-06 11/10F
78/22/06 2 ILE DE BOURBON Fulke Johnson Houghton John Reid David McCall 3-8-06 11/1
77/16/06 2 CLASSIC EXAMPLE Peter Walwyn Pat Eddery Col Roger Hue-Williams 3-8-10 14/1
*run at York

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