On the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2025, the atmosphere vibrated with an unexpected twist: an outsider swept the track and raised with him new questions about favoritism in horsemanship. In the midst of this scenario, a new unexpected hero emerged.
Jockey Gary Carroll, at the wheel of the jumping and powerful filly, commented that the whip was not necessary: “She showed her strength from start to finish,” he said.
But the intrigue did not stop there: on the same day, Never Let Go (22/1) won the Sandringham Stakes, while in the Commonwealth Cup, Time For Sandals (25/1) stunned critics and fans by beating the favorite Shadow Of Light. Multiple outsiders captured the front pages of the racing press, adding to the excitement and making the day's betting unpredictable.
The track was strongly conditioned, which favored riders accustomed to those conditions. In addition, the festive atmosphere raised the psychology of the contenders: “Royal Ascot not only rewards speed, but also mettle and successful strategies on hard grass,” commented a specialized analyst .
Day four also included tributes to the late trainer Kevin Prendergast (92), a key figure in Irish turf history. theguardian The day continued to turn up the heat-literally and metaphorically-but the big story was the spectacular rise of runners who were not among the favorites.