The Windsor Castle Stakes is a listed contest run over 5f. It takes place at 18:15 on Wednesday 19th June, which is the second day of Royal Ascot 2024. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

25⁽¹⁷⁾

Vingegaard

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

9-5

5-1 when winning a shade cosily on debut in six-runner Chepstow maiden (5f, soft); open to improvement and it remains to be seen where the ceiling of his ability lies, but others have a lot more substance to their form.

1⁽²⁷⁾

Ain't Nobody

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Kevin Ryan

9-5

8-1, won six-runner novice by about 2l on debut at Carlisle (5f, good to soft) 19 days ago, clear with one who had been second twice previously; his dam was second in the 2020 Silver Wokingham here (and was effective on fast ground) and Jamie Spencer excels on this straight course; a possible.

16⁽²³⁾

Pont Neuf

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

9-5

Reportedly quirky (unseated rider prior to debut) but he's 2-2 after wins at Kempton (5f, AW) and Salisbury (5f, soft); defied a penalty last time and the newcomers who filled second, third and fifth have franked the form (runner-up Kassaya declared in Queen Mary); trainer won this in 2021; chance.

21⁽¹⁴⁾

Sex On Fire

J: Tom Marquand

T: Richard Spencer

9-5

Won on debut at Southwell (5f, AW) in March and good third over this C&D (good to soft) last month, when behind two rivals who occupied same positions in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown next time (winner Enchanted Empress is declared in Queen Mary); however, further improvement is needed.

5⁽⁷⁾

5313

Brosay

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Diego Dias

9-5

His turf starts have been on soft/heavy ground (5f); off the mark at the third attempt in Goodwood novice last month and respectable third of six at Tipperary last time; however, improvement is needed today.

27⁽¹⁰⁾

Zabeel Road

J: Joe Fanning

T: Jamie Osborne

9-5

Won on debut at Ayr (5f, good) in April and solid fourth under a 5lb penalty behind Shadow Army at York (5f, good) last month, beaten nearly 4l; however, others in this line-up probably possess greater potential.

23⁽²⁵⁾

231

Sir Yoshi

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

9-5

Went close on first two starts (including behind Rock N Roll Rocket in good-ground maiden at Cork) before winning Tipperary maiden (5f, soft) three weeks ago; others have more substance to their form but Irish trainer has had two Royal Ascot winners from not many runners; not discounted each-way.

12⁽¹⁸⁾

Hawaiian

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

9-5

11-8 when winning on debut at Newbury (5f, good to soft) in April and reportedly unsuited by the soft (heavy in places) ground when disappointing favourite in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown; the Newbury form has worked out extremely well and he retains significant potential; one to consider.

4⁽²⁴⁾

555

Bretton Wood

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Owen

9-5

Well-bred Frankel colt who has shown ability when fifth on all three starts, but he'd be a surprise winner today; wears first-time blinkers.

17⁽¹³⁾

724

Reposado

J: David Egan

T: Raphael E Freire

9-5

Went close over C&D (good) on second start and fair fourth of six in Listed National Stakes at Sandown (5f, soft) last time; could improve upon that latest run now back on better ground but looks vulnerable once more; Dominic Ffrench Davis' former assistant now holds the licence for this one.

24⁽¹⁵⁾

Treasure Isle

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-5

102

Built upon his debut second at the Curragh (5f, soft to heavy) in April when making all to beat a field of newcomers at Naas (5f, good) last month; Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore have combined to win three of the last nine runnings and he has to be respected.

8⁽¹⁾

Cheval de Guerre

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Eddie Kenneally

9-5

Showed blistering speed when beaten just a neck on debut at Keeneland (5.5f, firm) in April; sold for $450,000 a day later (remains in the same yard); Oisin Murphy rides this US challenger and he could prove tough to catch now down to a bare 5f; wears a tongue-tie.

7⁽¹²⁾

Celtic Chieftain

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O'Brien

9-5

100

450,000gns yearling who won at 8-1 under Wayne Lordan on debut in 16-runner maiden at Navan (5f, good) 11 days ago, with Ryan Moore on a stablemate (same today); he travelled well and appeared green when challenging in the final furlong (hung left) and is open to considerable improvement for his top Irish trainer who has won three of the last nine runnings.

NR⁽²¹⁾

5137

Jm Jhingree

T: John & Sean Quinn

9-5

Won Redcar maiden (5f, soft) last month on second start and again ran well when third of five in Beverley Two Year Old Trophy (5f, good to firm); however, only seventh at Catterick yesterday and he'd be a shock winner.

9⁽²⁾

End Of Story

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

9-5

Justified favouritism on debut at Thirsk (5f, good to soft) and similar form when fifth in the Woodcote at Epsom (6f, good to soft) last time, when shaping as though 5f may suit best for now; however, others appeal more.

2⁽²⁰⁾

625

Arabian Cobra

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

9-5

Went close at Windsor (6f, good) on second start and another good run when fifth of 15 at Haydock (6f, good); however, up against it today.

18⁽¹⁹⁾

Rock N Roll Rocket

J: Shane Foley

T: David Loughnane

9-5

16-1, prevailed in blanket finish on debut in 12-runner Cork maiden (5f, good) last month and the second/third both won next time; well beaten at Tipperary since but perhaps the soft ground didn't suit; changed hands for £125,000 on Monday; retains potential and not ruled out each-way at what is likely to be a big price.

15⁽¹¹⁾

Karl Carlston

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Raphael E Freire

9-5

Well-backed favourite on debut at Bath (5.7f, good) where his inexperience was evident close home (hung badly left) and he came third of 14, beaten about 5l; has changed trainer since (ex-Dominic Ffrench Davis, now his former assistant); there can be optimism he will improve but he may be best watched in this hot contest.

6⁽⁹⁾

Calyxoh

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

9-5

Did well to go close on last month's debut at Newmarket (6f, good) having been hampered at the start; however, he failed to build on that when fourth of 14 at Leicester (6f, good to soft) and others have stronger claims.

28⁽²²⁾

Aviation Time

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Richard Hughes

9-0

Sole filly in the field; won on last month's debut at Kempton (6f, AW) and did well to finish third in the Hilary Needler at Beverley (5f, good to firm) 11 days ago, when she was drawn wider than ideal and had to wait for a clear run; the strong pace will be in her favour; each-way possible.

20⁽⁸⁾

Sensorium

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Dylan Cunha

9-5

Bought for 48,000gns at the breeze-ups in April and he was an encouraging third of 11 at 16-1 on last month's debut at Windsor (6f, good); he can win races but it will be a shock if he's good enough to threaten today.

19⁽²⁸⁾

Rudi's Apple

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-5

Backed into 5-1 and best of newcomers when third to Sir Yoshi at Tipperary (5f, soft) three weeks ago; trainer has stated "we think he's come forward plenty since" and he's a likely improver, but it's very much needed.

3⁽⁵⁾

Artagnan

J: William Buick

T: K R Burke

9-5

Beaten 2l when second to an experienced winner on debut at Ripon a fortnight ago (5f, good; 6-4 favourite); however, it was still a promising start from this £350,000 breeze-up buy, who is a half-brother to the yard's 5.5f Group 3 winner Marshman, and he could have lots more to offer.

26⁽¹⁶⁾

Weissmuller

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

9-5

Belied his 33-1 odds when 4l third behind two experienced rivals on recent debut at Nottingham (5f, good; Fuji Mountain second); that was an encouraging start but he needs to find a chunk of improvement in this hot race.

13⁽⁴⁾

Honorary American

J: Joel Rosario

T: Wesley A Ward

9-5

Showed bright speed when third of six on debut at Belmont (5.5f, dirt) in April; he needs to take a sizeable step forward today but his US trainer won this in 2009 and 2014 and reported he worked well on turf a couple of weeks ago; could be capable of playing a leading role.

11⁽²⁶⁾

Gabaldon

J: Emisael Jaramillo

T: Jose Francisco D'Angelo

9-5

Displayed bundles of pace and clung on to win on last month's debut at Gulfstream Park (5f, firm); Crimson Advocate won on that same card last year before following up in the Queen Mary here; no surprise to see a bold bid.

10⁽³⁾

Fuji Mountain

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Declan Carroll

9-5

Midfield on last month's debut at York (5f, good) and built on that when runner-up at Nottingham (5f, good; led); however, he was no match for Kassaya (declared to run in Queen Mary) and needs another big step forward.

22⁽⁶⁾

Shadow Army

J: James Doyle

T: Richard Fahey

9-5

101

His dam was Listed-placed over 6f/7f and he was the 9-2 joint-favourite when recovering from a slow start to win by a short head on last month's debut at York (5f, good); the runner-up Francisco's Piece (who was conceding 5lb) has won a Listed race since; subsequently acquired by Wathnan Racing (remains in same yard); he's a highly likeable prospect who is on the shortlist.

RACING POST TIP

Celtic Chieftain

There are three US challengers in the line-up and Gabaldon (stall 26 of 28) can be expected to set a brisk pace on the stands' side, and likewise Cheval de Guerre (drawn 1) and Honorary American (4) on the far side. Cheval de Guerre (second choice) is a tempting option against the rail but preference is for the Aidan O'Brien-trained CELTIC CHIEFTAIN, whose debut win under Wayne Lordan at Navan 11 days ago was a performance packed with promise. Ryan Moore rides a stablemate (Naas winner Treasure Isle, who is respected) but that was also the case in the Navan race. Hawaiian disappointed on soft ground in the National Stakes but his Newbury debut win represents strong form and he is third on the shortlist. Unbeaten pair Pont Neuf and Shadow Army are others to consider.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2023	Big Evs [19]	2	9-5	20/1	Michael Appleby	Jason Hart
2022	Little Big Bear [2]	2	9-5	9/4	Aidan O’Brien, Ireland	Ryan Moore
2021	Chipotle [1]	2	9-3	22/1	Eve Johnson Houghton	Charles Bishop
2020	Tactical [20]	2	9-3	7/2F	Andrew Balding	James Doyle
2019	Southern Hills [24]	2	9-3	7/1	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2018	Soldier’s Call [22]	2	9-3	12/1	Archie Watson	Daniel Tudhope
2017	Sound And Silence [12]	2	9-3	16/1	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2016	Ardad [1]	2	9-3	20-1	John Gosden	Robert Havlin
2015	Washington DC [6]	2	9-3	5/1	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2014	Hootenanny [25]	2	9-3	7/2F	Wesley A Ward	Victor Espinoza

Key race stats 2024

Key trends

No more than three runs, 10/10
By a sire with a stamina index of 6.5f-8.1f, 9/10
Beaten last time out, 7/10 (two finished outside top three)
Distance winner 6/10 (three exceptions were maidens)
Drawn in double figures, 6/10

Other factors

Fillies won five in a row (1996 to 2000), but only one has placed in the last ten years.

The 2022 winner Little Big Bear was RPR top-rated, but six of the other nine were between 7lb and 19lb off top.

What happened in the Windsor Castle Stakes last year?

BIG EVS proved himself a smart colt, a three-length winner and becoming the widest-margin winner of this race since Ardad who won by 3.25l on soft in 2016. Johannes Brahms, whose connections won this last year with Little Big Bear, had won a 6f Naas maiden on his debut. Down in trip, he didn’t quite have the winner’s speed but he saw it out well. Up The Manor was back in third, who had won a 5f Doncaster novice on his debut, ran well without being quite good enough.

Windsor Castle Stakes

18:15 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2024

What happened in the Windsor Castle Stakes last year?

All Races