The second of two Group One races staged on day one of Royal Ascot is the King Charles III Stakes. This historic race is run over the shortest trip any horse race takes place over in Britain and Ireland, five furlongs.
Formerly known as the King's Stand Stakes, this race was renamed in 2024 to celebrate a year since King Charles III's coronation. The King's Stand first took place at Royal Ascot in 1860, and it's been won by top sprinters like Diadem, Abernant, Lochsong and Sole Power.
King Charles III Stakes Key Facts
Date
Tuesday June 18, 2024
Track
Royal Ascot
Distance
5f
Class
Group 1
Race Type
Set weights
Prizemoney
£400,000
Age
3YO+
King Charles III Stakes Odds
No odds are available for the King Charles III Stakes.
King Charles III Stakes Tips
Once the field has been finalised, we'll publish our guide to the King Charles III Stakes.
2023 King's Stand Stakes Result
Position
Name
SP
1st
Bradsell
14/1
2nd
Highfield Princess
7/4f
3rd
Annaf
50/1
King's Stand Stakes History
The introduction of the King's Stand Stakes wasn't by design, but due to inclement weather.
The Royal Stand Plate was to be run over two miles, but due to the heavy rain only five furlongs of the track was able to be used. Subsequently, the long-distance thoroughbreds had to run over the much shorter distance of 1000m.
The King's Stand Stakes has since become one of the most important sprint races at the Royal Ascot festival and having it on the first day of the festival adds to the atmosphere.
Past winners have included many champion sprinters from all around the world. Little Bridge won for Hong Kong in 2012 and the Australians have a great record.
Choisir won in 2003 before Takeover Target won three years later in 2006. Takeover Target was a $1000 purchase for Joe and Ben Janiak and Choisir has since become one of the top stallions to stand at stud in Australia.
Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast continued the Australian success in the years to come but there has been no Australian winner since 2009.
Lester Piggott holds the record for most wins with seven and trainer Vincent O'Brien scored five wins throughout his illustrious career.
It's the one race that escapes the reach of Aidan O'Brien, who has yet to win the King's Stand Stakes.
Equiano won the King's Stand Stakes as a three-year-old in 2008, before winning back the crown two years later. Wesley Ward's Lady Aurelia also beat her elders in the King's Stand, scorching to victory in 2017.
Edward Lynam's legendary sprinter Sole Power secured back-to-back victories in 2013 and '14. That feat was matched by Blue Point, who won for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin in 2018 and '19.
Having twice finished second to Blue Point, Charlie Hills' Battaash finally claimed his first Royal Ascot victory, winning the King's Stand Stakes in 2020.
Roger Teal's Oxted followed Blue Point into the King's Stand winner's enclosure. Chris Waller's Australian raider, Nature Strip handed his European rivals a sound thrashing to win the 2022 King's Stand Stakes.
King's Stand Stakes Betting Guide
Runners don't need to break the one-minute mark to win, however, 2017 winner Lady Aurelia produced a big effort to win in 0:57.45.
The American-bred sprinter was a three-length winner over Profitable and although the favourite was beaten there were plenty of punters happy to see the popular runner take home the King's Stand Stakes.
Goldream scored an upset at odds of 25/1 in 2015. The son of Oasis Dream wasn't fancied to beat two-time winner Sole Power, which had won the previous two years.
It takes a good horse to win the King's Stand Stakes and international experience is top form for the sprinting race.
Australian racing is known for producing some of the best sprinters in the world and we're confident more Australian-trained runners will come contest the King's Stand Stakes and have good success at Royal Ascot.
