King Charles III Stakes
 QuinnBet
Group 1, Ascot 15:40
£650,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
5f, Class 1   
Tuesday 17th June 2025

1 American Affair 11/1
2 Frost At Dawn 28/1
3 Regional 9/1
4 Starlust 16/1
20 ran NR: Bucanero Fuerte, Mgheera, No Half Measures
Distances: nk, 1l, nk Time: 59.64s (slow by 0.14s)

There’s winning at Royal Ascot, and then there’s doing it your way. Jim Goldie, one of racing’s great grafters, had long been threatening to land a blow at the Royal meeting—and on Tuesday, he finally did, as the homebred American Affair tore up the form book and delivered a landmark Group 1 under a textbook ride from Paul Mulrennan.

A sprint division stalwart who has made the ascent from handicaps to the highest level seem almost routine, American Affair was given a smooth passage this time, having suffered no luck at all in the Temple Stakes. This time, the gaps opened, the gears engaged, and the chestnut gelding found just enough in reserve to repel a tenacious Frost At Dawn by a neck, with last year’s runner-up Regional again making the frame.

For Goldie, a trainer whose name has graced many a racecard north of the border but never quite the Royal winner’s enclosure, the win was more than just a tick on the CV. “It’s very sweet,” he said, his voice catching with the weight of generations. “I’ve trained this family for three generations. His granddad Orientor had his day here at the Shergar Cup. This one is just getting faster with age.”

Indeed, the journey from a seven-furlong maiden at Wetherby to five-furlong Group 1 glory has been anything but linear. “We figured him out. Took him back to five, let him roll, and he’s just flourished. I was confident. He’s one of the fastest horses I’ve had, and when you’ve got speed like that, it’s just about control. We brought him down a day early, kept him relaxed, and everything slotted into place.”

For Paul Mulrennan, a stalwart of the northern weighing rooms and never one to get carried away, the significance wasn’t lost. “It all went pretty smooth,” he said, matter-of-factly, before the emotion kicked in. “To win a Group 1 here—it means everything. I’m riding Monday to Friday horses most weeks. These are the Olympics. To beat the best on this stage, it’s massive.”

He was also quick to credit Goldie: “Jim has been brilliant with this horse. He’s a master at finding what works. American Affair was running over seven once—I rode him at York and told Jim, ‘He’s a sprinter now.’ And he’s just got quicker with age, as many do. He’s no sales ring standout, but Jim and his team work wonders with these homebreds.”

Among those team members was John McGrandles, breeder and part-owner, who added a touch of Glasgow grit and charm to the story. “He might be the only horse here with a Glasgow postcode in his passport!” he grinned. “He’s called Charlie at home, and now he’s King Charles. We keep the mares at home—we’re off to the Highland Show with the sheep tomorrow. Racing isn’t everything!”

In behind, Frost At Dawn gave William Knight reason to dream. “She ran a stormer,” he said. “The stiff five suited. We’ll keep her at this trip—she belongs at this level.”

Regional, meanwhile, was as game as ever for Ed Bethell: “He’s a remarkable horse. Always gives everything. We’ve got Deauville in mind next, the Maurice de Gheest—six furlongs on a flat track should be ideal.”

And for last year’s heroine Asfoora, trainer Henry Dwyer was left to ponder the vagaries of Ascot’s undulations. “Oisin thought we were on the wrong part of the track. She moved into it at the 150 but didn’t quite finish off. It’ll be Goodwood and York now.”

But on this day, the honours went north. To a homebred gelding with a sprinter’s heart and a Glasgow postcode. To a trainer who’s played the long game and finally found his Royal winner. And to a jockey who knows what it means when everything goes right—at last.

King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)
£650,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 5f, Class 1
20 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (16)     American Affair 5 9-7 Jim Goldie Paul Mulrennan 11/1
2 (15) nk Frost At Dawn 4 9-4 William Knight Mickael Barzalona 28/1
3 (17) 1 Regional 7 9-7 Edward Bethell Callum Rodriguez 9/1
4 (14) nk Starlust 4 9-7 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 16/1
5 (3) ½ Kerdos 5 9-7 Clive Cox Christophe Soumillon 66/1
6 (10) dht Asfoora 6 9-4 Henry Dwyer Oisin Murphy 7/2
7 (11) hd Washington Heights 5 9-7 Kevin Ryan Tom Eaves 40/1
8 (18) shd Monteille 4 9-4 Mario Baratti Cristian Demuro 150/1
9 (4) 1 Balmoral Lady 4 9-4 Ed Walker Tom Marquand 50/1
10 (6) ¾ Jasour 4 9-7 Clive Cox Jim Crowley 18/1
11 (1) ¾ Believing 5 9-4 George Boughey Ryan Moore 3/1F
12 (7) ½ Night Raider 4 9-7 K R Burke James Doyle 10/1
13 (23) nse West Acre 3 9-1 George Scott Callum Shepherd 18/1
14 (5) ½ Rumstar 5 9-7 Jonathan Portman Rob Hornby 10/1
15 (22) nse Estepona 3 9-1 M Delcher Sanchez Clement Lecoeuvre 66/1
16 (9) 1¼ Aesterius 3 9-1 Archie Watson James McDonald 40/1
17 (19) ½ Tropical Storm 3 9-1 Andrew Balding Colin Keane 50/1
18 (21) 1 Twilight Calls 7 9-7 Richard Spencer Jamie Spencer 100/1
19 (20) 1½ Prime Art 4 9-4 Jane Chapple-Hyam Billy Loughnane 66/1
20 (12) 2¼ Manaccan 6 9-7 John Ryan Cieren Fallon 80/1
WD 16 (8) Mgheera 5 9-4 Ed Walker WITHDRAWN AT START
NR 2 (2) Bucanero Fuerte 4 9-7 Adrian Murray NON RUNNER
NR 18 (13) No Half Measures 4 9-4 Richard Hughes NON RUNNER

KING CHARLES III STAKES
Past Results

2024-WINNER-ASFOORA Henry Dwyer Oisin Murphy Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd 5 9-04 5/1

2023-WINNER-BRADSELL Archie Watson Hollie Doyle Victorious Racing 3 9-01 14/1

2022-WINNER-NATURE STRIP Chris Waller James McDonald R A E Lyons, P D Harrison Et Al 7 9-07 9/4

2021-WINNER-OXTED Roger Teal Cieren Fallon S Piper,T Hirschfeld,D Fish & J Collins 5 9-05 4/1

2020-WINNER-BATTAASH Charlie Hills Jim Crowley Hamdan Al Maktoum 6-9-04 5/6F

2019-WINNER-BLUE POINT Charlie Appleby James Doyle Godolphin 5-9-04 5/2

2018-WINNER-BLUE POINT Charlie Appleby William Buick Godolphin 4-9-04 6/1

2017-WINNER-LADY AURELIA 3-8-09 Owner-Stonestreet Stables, George Bolton, Peter Leidel; Trainer-Wesley Ward USA; Jockey- John Velazquez; SP-7/2
2ND-Profitable 5-9-04 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Clive Cox; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-14/1
3RD-Marsha 4-9-01 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Sir Mark Prescott; Jockey-Luke Morris; 11/4F
17 ran; Time-57.45s; Dist-3, hd

2016-WINNER-PROFITABLE 4-9-04 Owner-Alan Spence; Trainer-Clive Cox; Jockey-Adam Kirby; SP-4/1
2ND-Cotai Glory 4-9-04 Owner-Kangyu Int Racing (HK) Ltd & F Ma; Trainer-Charlie Hills; Jockey-George Baker-SP-33/1
3RD-Goken 4-9-04 Owner-Guy Pariente; Trainer-Kevin Ryan; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-50/1
17 ran; Time-1m 2.69s; Dist-nk, 1 6/4 Fav Mecca’s Angel (16th)

2015-WINNER-GOLDREAM 6-9-04 Owner-J Sargeant & Mrs J Morley; Trainer-Robert Cowell; Jockey-Martin Harley; SP-20/1
2ND-Medicean Man 9-9-04 Owner-Stuart & Kate Dobb; Trainer-Jeremy Gask; Jockey-Joao Moreira; SP-50/1
3RD-Muthmir 5-9-04 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-William Haggas; Jockey-Paul Hanagan; SP-3/1
18 ran; Time-59.11s; Dist-sh, nk 5/2 Fav Sole Power (5th)

2014-WINNER- SOLE POWER 7-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Edward Lynam IRE; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-5/1
2ND-Stepper Point 5-9-04 Owner-Clive Edginton; Trainer-William Muir; Jockey-Martin Dwyer; SP-50/1
3RD-Hot Streak 3-8-12 Owner-Qatar Racing Limited; Trainer-Kevin Ryan; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-3/1 Fav
16 ran; Time-58.85s; Dist-11⁄4, nk

2013-WINNER- SOLE POWER 6-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Edward Lynam IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh: SP-8/1
2ND-Shea Shea 6-9-04 Owner-Bryan Joffe & Myron Berzack; Trainer-Mike De Kock SAF; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-11/4 Fav
3RD-Pearl Secret 4-9-04 Owner-Qatar Racing Limited; Trainer-David Barron; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-10/1
19 ran; Time-58.88s; Dist-nk, 1¼

2012-WINNER- LITTLE BRIDGE 6-9-04 Owner-Ko Kam Piu; Trainer-Danny Shum HK; Jockey-Zac Purton; SP-12/1
2RD-Bated Breath 5-9-04 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Roger Charlton; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-11/2
3RD-Sole Power 5-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Eddie Lynam IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-8/1
22 ran; Time: 59.29s; Dist ¾, 1 9/2 Jt Favs Ortensia (9th), Wizz Kid (10th)

2011-WINNER- PROHIBIT 6-9-04 Owner-Dasmal, Rix, Barr, Morley, Mrs Penny; Trainer-Robert Cowell; Jockey-Jim Crowley;
SP-7/1
2RD-Star Witness 4-9-04 Owner-Widden Stud; Trainer-Danny O’Brien AUS; Jockey-Steven Arnold; SP-6/1
3RD-Sweet Sanette 6-9-01 Owner-Chow Hong & Wu Po Kung; Trainer-Tony Millard HK; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-16/1
19 ran; Time: 59.50s; Dist ½, ½ 11/2 Fav Kingsgate Native (6th)

2010-WINNER-EQUIANO 5-9-04 Owner-James Acheson; Trainer-Barry Hills; Jockey-Michael Hills; SP-9/2
2ND-Markab 7-9-04 Owner-Tight Lines Partnership; Trainer-Henry Candy; Jockey-Pat Cosgrave; SP-14/1
3RD-Borderlescott 8-9-04 Owner-James Edgar & William Donaldson; Trainer-Robin Bastiman; Jockey-Neil Callan; SP-16/1
12 ran; Time: 59.00s; Dist: 1½, nk 5/2 Fav Kingsgate Native (6th)

2009-WINNER-SCENIC BLAST 5-9-04 Owner-Elio Anthony Galante & Partners; Trainer-Danny Morton AUS; Jockey-Steven
Arnold; SP 11/4 Fav
2ND-Fleeting Spirit 4-9-01 Owner-The Searchers; Trainer Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-7/2
3RD-Anglezarke 3-8-09 Owner-David Armstrong; Trainer-David Easterby; Jockey-David Allen; SP-33/1
15 ran; Time: 59.54; Dist: ¾, 2¾

2008-WINNER-EQUIANO 3-8-12 Owner-James Acheson; Trainer-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez ESP; Jockey-Olivier Peslier;
SP 22/1
2ND-Takeover Target 9-9-04 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-6/1
3RD-Fleeting Spirit 3-8-09 Owner-The Searchers; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-15/8 Fav
13 ran, Time-59.35s, Dist: ½, nk

2007-WINNER-MISS ANDRETTI 6-9-01 Owner-Sean Buckley, Dave Mueller, Gabriella Guenzi; Trainer-Lee Freedman AUS;
Jockey-Craig Newitt; SP-3/1 Fav
2ND-Dandy Man 4-9-04 Owner-H R H Princess Haya Of Jordan; Trainer-Tracey Collins IRE; Jockey-Pat Shanahan; SP-15/2
3RD-Magnus 5-9-04 Owner-Robert Crabtree; Trainer-Peter Moody AUS; Jockey-Damien Oliver; SP-14/1
20 ran, Time-57.44s, Dist: 1¾, nk

2006-WINNER-TAKEOVER TARGET 7-9-07 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-7/1
2ND-Benbaun 5-9-02 Owner-Ransley, Birks, Hillen; Trainer-Mark Wallace; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-16/1
3RD-Pivotal Point 6-9-02 Owner-R A Bernard; Trainer-Peter Makin; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-25/1
28 ran, Time-59.79s, Dist: sh, ½ 5/1 Fav Moss Vale (8th)

2005-WINNER-CHINEUR 4-9-02 Owner-Marquesa De Moratalla; Trainer-Mikel Delzangles FR; Jockey-Christophe Lemaire;
SP-7/1
2ND-Boogie Street 4-9-02 Owner-Hippodrome Racing; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-16/1
3RD-Moss Vale 4-9-02 Owner-John C Grant & Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-Barry Hills; Jockey-Michael Hills; SP-14/1
16 ran, Time-57-55s, Dist: 1¾, nk 11/2 Jt-Favs Var (6th) and The Tatling (7th) (run at York)

2004-WINNER-THE TATLING 7-9-02 Owner-Dab Hand Racing; Trainer-Milton Bradley; Jockey-Darryll Holland; SP-8/1
2ND-Cape Of Good Hope 6-9-02 Owner-Exors of the late R Carstairs; Trainer-David Oughton HK; Jockey-Michael Kinane;
SP-13/2
3RD-Frizzante 5-8-13 Owner-Jan Hopper & Elizabeth Grundy; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-9/2
Fav
19 ran, Time-1m 0.16s, Dist: 1½, nk

2003-WINNER-CHOISIR 4-9-07 Owner-Terry Wallace & Partners; Trainer-Paul Perry AUS; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-25/1
2ND-Acclamation 4-9-02 Owner-Dulford Cavaliers; Trainer-Gerald Cottrell; Jockey-Pat Eddery; SP-16/1
3RD-Oasis Dream 3-9-01 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-6/1 Fav
20 ran, Time-59.68s, Dist: 1, 1½

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