Time For Sandals delivered a fairytale victory in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot 2025, handing trainer Harry Eustace his second top-level triumph of the week and firmly announcing herself on the sprinting scene. Ridden by Richard Kingscote, the 25/1 outsider raced solo down the middle of the track and showed tremendous grit to fend off late challenges from Arizona Blaze and Rayevka, winning by a neck and a half-length respectively.
The filly, by Sands Of Mali, had previously shown promise with a runner-up finish in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes and a close third in a Group 3 contest at Chantilly earlier this season. Her performance at Ascot marks a huge leap forward in form, validating Eustace’s long-held belief in her potential.
“This week has been extraordinary,” said an emotional Eustace, who had earlier tasted Group 1 glory in Tuesday’s Queen Anne Stakes with Docklands. “We always felt we hadn’t quite seen the best of Time For Sandals. She needed a fast pace to run at, and today everything clicked.”
Kingscote, who executed a bold and confident ride, added: “She was left a bit alone in the final furlong, but she stuck her neck out and showed her heart. She’s been learning with every run and today she put it all together. A Group 1 win at Royal Ascot is the dream.”
The win is also a remarkable milestone for the filly’s relatively new owners, who have now won a Royal Ascot Group 1 with just their second-ever horse. Eustace praised his stable team for their dedication, saying, “I stand here doing the interviews, but it’s the people back home who make these results happen.”
The runner-up Arizona Blaze earned plaudits from trainer Adrian Murray, who said, “We were confident going in despite the odds. He always shows up and we’re now eyeing the Nunthorpe.”
Third-placed Rayevka also impressed trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “She’s still learning to race properly. We didn’t quite get a lead into the final stages, but she showed class. The Prix Maurice de Gheest is now on her radar.”
With two Group 1 winners in the same week at Royal Ascot, Harry Eustace has firmly established himself among the top echelon of British flat racing trainers — and Time For Sandals has emerged as one of the year’s most exciting sprinting fillies.
