Royal Ascot is Turning Into a Proper Nightmare for Punters

By Lewis Barnett 10 June, 2025 6 mins read 29 Views

God, where do I even start with this mess?

I've been covering horse racing for twelve years now, and I can't remember a Royal Ascot build-up quite this brutal for ante-post punters. It's like watching your fantasy football team get decimated by injuries, except people have actual money riding on these horses. Real money. The kind that pays mortgages.

Economics just got pulled from the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Another massive name bites the dust.

When Your Second Favourite Just... Disappears

William Haggas dropped the bombshell yesterday that Economics won't make it to next Wednesday's red-hot Prince of Wales's Stakes. The horse that absolutely demolished Auguste Rodin (yes, that Auguste Rodin) in last year's Irish Champion Stakes was sitting pretty at 9-2 second favourite. Was being the operative phrase here.

Pulled muscle, apparently. Haggas tried to sound upbeat about it: "Unfortunately, Economics won't make Royal Ascot and is out in the short term but it's no big deal and hopefully he can be back in action soon." No big deal? Tell that to the punters who've been backing this horse since March.

The thing is, Economics hasn't even run since that disaster at Ascot back in October when he bled and finished sixth in the Champion Stakes. Six months of waiting, building up hope, watching the odds... and now this.

Los Angeles Just Got a Lot More Interesting

With Economics out of the picture, Aidan O'Brien's Los Angeles suddenly looks like the horse everyone's going to pile onto. William Hill's Lee Phelps (who I've known since he was making tea at Ladbrokes) told me they've already clipped Los Angeles from 7-2 to 3-1.

"One horse we're now fearing could be a popular pick is Anmaat," Phelps said. Smart money, that. Anmaat ran a blinder behind Los Angeles at the Curragh and he's sitting at 4-1 now. Those odds won't last if word gets out.

Map Of Stars from Wathnan Racing has moved up to third favourite at 5-1. French raider, which always makes things spicy.

It Gets Worse (Obviously)

Economics wasn't even the first domino to fall this week.

Less than 24 hours earlier, O'Brien's Lake Victoria got scratched from the Coronation Stakes. This one really stung because she was the banker of the entire festival - odds-on favourite after winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The kind of horse you build your entire Royal Ascot accumulator around.

Coolmore's statement was typically brief: "Lake Victoria will not run at Royal Ascot. She will have an easy few weeks and will return for a late summer/autumn campaign." Translation: your carefully planned bets are now worthless.

O'Brien's Having a Rough Week

Poor Aidan. Guy wins the Oaks and Derby last weekend (which should feel amazing), but now he's watching his Royal Ascot team fall apart like a house of cards.

Lake Victoria joins Gold Cup legend Kyprios and Coventry favourite Albert Einstein on the casualty list. That's three massive favourites gone before we've even gotten to Ascot. At this rate, we'll be betting on horses we've never heard of.

And then there's Porta Fortuna - another Group 1 star who was 6-1 for Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes until she suffered what they're calling a "small setback in training." Small setback, massive headache for anyone who backed her early.

What This Actually Means

Look, injuries happen. It's racing. But when you're dropping £50 or £100 on ante-post bets in February, you expect at least half these horses to make it to the starting line.

The smart money now? Probably waiting until declaration time before placing any serious bets. I know that goes against every instinct when you see juicy early odds, but this year's proving that patience might actually pay off.

My editor texted me this morning: "At least you'll have plenty to write about." True, but I'd rather be writing about epic races than epic disappointments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How important is the pedigree of a racehorse for success?

The pedigree of a racing horse can indicate its potential, but it isn't the only thing that determines their success. The lineage of a horse may indicate an inherited ability for speed or endurance. However, training, health and temperament can also be influential factors. Training can enhance a horse’s natural abilities, and allow it to perform better than horses with more impressive pedigrees.

What kind of diet is best for a racing horse?

A racehorse diet must be of the highest quality and balanced precisely to meet their energetic requirements for training and racing. The diet is usually a mixture of high-quality hay, grains like oats and barley, as well as commercially prepared racehorse feed. Additionally, the diet should be supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health and peak performance.

What age should a race horse start training?

Horses that are two years old can begin training, although they may start with basic training. This is when their bodies are mature enough to handle the stresses of the track while still being young and adaptable for the learning process. The exact timing can vary depending on each horse's temperament and development.

How often must racehorses receive training?

The frequency of training for racehorses depends on the horse's individual needs, fitness level, and racing schedule. The typical routine for racehorses would include walking, cantering and trotting daily, as well as more strenuous work, such as galloping several times a weeks to increase speed and endurance. Rest days will allow your horse to recover, and help prevent overtraining.

Is there a need for a specific shoe on a racing horse?

Racehorses usually wear racing plates which are thinner and lighter than regular horseshoes. These plates offer the necessary grip on the track while minimizing their weight. A farrier who is experienced in fitting shoes for racehorses will choose and fit the shoe to match the horse's specific hoof and racing surface.

What is a trainer's role in training a racing horse?

Jockeys play an essential role in training racehorses. They ride horses and provide feedback about the horse's performance. But they also teach the horse racing tactics like pacing, position, and how to respond to commands. A good jockey becomes attuned to the horse's strengths and weaknesses, which is indispensable for race preparation.

Statistics

Studies suggest that proper early training can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses by up to 50%.
An extensive survey indicated that over 90% of racehorse trainers utilize swimming as a low-impact exercise in their conditioning routines.
Gastrointestinal issues affect up to 90% of racehorses during their training, emphasizing the need for careful dietary management.
The average cost to train a thoroughbred racehorse for one year can exceed $50,000, accounting for expenses related to training, boarding, and veterinary care.
Racehorse mortality rates during racing have been observed to be between 1.5 to 2 deaths per thousand starts, depending on the racing jurisdiction.
Research has found that a racehorse's stride length can increase by up to 7% following specific strength and conditioning programs.

External Links

How To

How to Mentally Stimulate a Racing Horse While Training

Maintain a racehorse's mental stimulation by exposing him to different environments and training exercises. This will prevent boredom, stress and fatigue. In addition to trackwork, you can also do outdoor exercises and trail rides. Teaching new commands or patterns can also engage the horse's mind. The mental state of the horse is positively affected by social interaction with other horses, and building a relationship with the handler. Mentally content horses are more focused and cooperative when training and competing.

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https://sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/we-lost-a-giant-peter-easterby-dead-at-95