Royal Ascot 2025: Magical Moore Grabs Hattrick

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Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse (James Martin / flickr.com)

There are many approaches to betting on Royal Ascot. Whilst some burn the midnight oil poring over the formbook, others prefer to side with the trainers and jockeys who have proven they have what it takes on the big stage.

When it comes to the leading meetings in Britain, Ireland and beyond, few trainer/jockey combos can match the recent exploits of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Year after year, the duo handle the pressure-cooker environment of the biggest races with consummate ease.

Given the incredible rate at which the duo has racked up Classics and wins in other high-profile events, the irresistible duo seemed sure to pepper the winner’s enclosure at Royal Ascot 2025. As such, registering a single win on Day 1 and Day 2 was no more than par for the course. However, the wins of Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes and True Love in the Queen Mary Stakes preceded a spectacular Day 3.

O’Brien and Moore combined to claim three of the seven events on offer on Thursday afternoon and filled the runners-up position in two further contests. Whilst no match for a magnificent William Buick and Trawlerman in the Gold Cup, Moore displayed his brilliance in the saddle elsewhere with a thrilling punter-friendly hat-trick.

Ryan Moore & Aidan O’Brien’s Royal Ascot Hat-Trick – 24th June 2025

Time Race Winner Odds
2:30pm Norfolk Stakes Charles Darwin 8/13
3:40pm Ribblesdale Stakes Garden Of Eden 7/1
5:35pm Hampton Court Stakes Trinity College 5/2

Charles Darwin – Norfolk Stakes

Naming runners in honour of the great minds in human history appears to be a theme at Ballydoyle this season. Whilst Albert Einstein remained at home, Charles Darwin made the tip to Ascot for the Norfolk Stakes.

Sired by No Nay Never and out of Muirin, this strapping youngster is a full brother to Blackbeard, who started favourite for the 2022 Coventry Stakes but finished only fourth. Arriving on the back of successive wins at Navan and Naas, Charles Darwin started at odds of just 8/13F to better the effort of his sibling. Those who took the skinny odds had few moments of concern.

Propelled straight into the lead by Moore, the strapping colt was soon bowling along at an impressive and unrelenting speed. Sandal’s Song and Ameeq attempted to challenge at the furlong pole, only to be swatted aside by the talented trailblazer. Hitting the line 2¼l clear of his nearest pursuer, this win booked Charles Darwin’s place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. On this evidence, he may take some stopping at Del Mar.

Garden Of Eden – Ribblesdale Stakes

Moore narrowly missed out when second in the King George V Stakes. However, he was soon back in the winner’s enclosure in the big event for the fillies. With only a Listed success to her name, Garden Of Eden was only the fourth choice of the market in a field featuring potential improvers and runners dropping in class from the Oaks. As is so often the case, those who chose to oppose Moore and O’Brien were left to rue their decision.

O’Brien is adept at improving fillies as the season progresses, and Garden Of Eden had suggested her big day may be near with a Listed success at Naas in May. Nevertheless, she needed a big career best to claim this Group 2 contest and a big career best is just what the daughter of Saxon Warrior delivered.

With stablemate Island Hopping setting a scorching gallop, Moore found a nice rhythm in third and was perfectly positioned to strike off the home bend. Quickly hitting the front, Garden Of Eden banished any stamina concerns on her first crack at 1m4f to power 3¼l clear by the line. A tilt at the Irish Oaks may be next on the agenda for this exciting filly.

Trinity College – Hampton Court Stakes

Brushing off Gold Cup disappointment aboard Illinois, Moore quickly rediscovered the winning groove in the final Group contest of the day. Despite arriving with only a maiden and low-key Naas success to his name, Trinity College had performed admirably in defeat this season – most notably when finishing a close fourth in the Prix Du Jockey Club.

Considering that effort in Group 1 company, it was no surprise to see the impeccably bred colt sent off as the 5/2 favourite in this Group 3 affair. Keen to establish his class from the off, Moore once again grabbed the bull by the horns and set out to make the running.

Allowing Moore to dictate the fractions rarely goes well for his fellow riders, and so it proved here. Setting a slowly increasing pace to suit his mount, Moore never looked like relinquishing his advantage. As the challengers appeared in the straight, Trinity College responded by quickening again to post an impressive 3½ length success. With a stacked hand for the Irish Derby, Trinity College may be set the task of landing the American Derby later in the year.

Landmark Victory and Charitable Donations

A fine afternoon’s work by any standards – and one of particular significance to Moore. The success of Garden Of Eden in the Ribblesdale Stakes took his tally of British flat wins to a massive 2,594. That total was enough to see Moore move past Edward Hide to grab 10th spot on the list of all-time riders, joining such legendary names as Sir Gordon Richards, Pat Eddery, Wilie Carson, and Frankie Dettori.

Those who value the life of horses beyond their racing career also had reason to celebrate. For every Moore success at Royal Ascot 2025, the Royal Ascot Supports initiative will donate £5,000 to Retraining of Racehorses. Moore added the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes on Friday and the Queen Alexandra Stakes on Saturday to his tally, finishing the week with seven wins. As such, the rider boosted the charity’s coffers by £35,000.