Ascot Racecourse is all set to host the May Racing Weekend on May 9th and 10th, 2025, offering two thrilling days of flat racing action. This prelude to the prestigious Royal Ascot promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with competitive equine sport and family-friendly entertainment.
The first day, Friday, May 9th, features a seven-race card. Gates will open at 11:00 am, and racing begins at 1:50 pm with The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Handicap Stakes. This seven-furlong contest offers a purse of £45,000. Following that, at 2:20 pm, is The Juddmonte British EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, a five-furlong dash with £30,000 in prize money.
The third race of the day is the Palmer & Co. Champagne Maiden Fillies Stakes, a Class 4 event run over about one mile and two furlongs, offering a prize of £15,000. At 3:25 pm, attention turns to the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Italy Handicap Stakes, a Class 3 race run over six furlongs with £20,000 at stake.
Excitement builds further at 4:00 pm with The Motivator 20th Derby Anniversary Handicap Stakes, a six-furlong race carrying a £15,650 prize purse. Then, at 4:35 pm, racegoers will enjoy the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Style Handicap Stakes, a straight mile contest also worth £15,650. The day concludes at 5:10 pm with The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Apprentice Handicap Stakes, a two-mile finale offering £15,650 in prize money.
The thrill continues on Saturday, May 10th, the second and final day of the May Racing Weekend. The first race of the afternoon is The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Novice Stakes (Class 3) at 1:30 pm, run over five furlongs for a prize of £22,000. The action continues at 2:05 pm with The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% British EBF Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (Class 2), a straight mile race boasting a substantial £50,000 purse.
At 2:40 pm, the weekend’s highlight arrives with The Victoria Cup (Class 2 Heritage Handicap). This iconic seven-furlong race carries a prize of £100,000, making it one of the most anticipated events on the card. The next race, at 3:15 pm, is The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Handicap Stakes (Class 3), run over about one mile and four furlongs for £30,000.
The excitement continues at 3:50 pm with The Carey Group Handicap Stakes (Class 3), a one-mile, two-furlong race also offering £30,000. Following that, at 4:25 pm, is The Mariner Systems Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (Class 4), run over a similar distance with a prize of £22,000.
At 5:00 pm, the penultimate race of the weekend, The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Blue Ribbon DIV 1 Handicap Stakes, will be contested over six furlongs with £22,000 in prize money. The event wraps up at 5:35 pm with The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Blue Ribbon DIV 2 Handicap Stakes (Class 4), another six-furlong sprint offering £22,000.
With a packed schedule of exciting races, generous purses, and vibrant festivities, the May Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse promises an unmatched experience for racing fans and newcomers alike. Don’t miss this exhilarating start to the summer flat racing season—see you at the races!
