Seven Declare for the Most Exciting Cardinal Stakes Yet in £100,000 Contest

Chelmsford City Racecourse is set to host the most exciting renewal of the Cardinal Stakes to date, with an exceptional field of contenders declared for the 2025 edition of the prestigious race.

Featuring some of the most promising three-year-olds in training, the stakes are higher than ever as these talented runners prepare to battle it out on the all-weather surface. With a mix of proven Group performers and exciting prospects, the Cardinal Stakes is shaping up to be a thrilling contest.

Since its inception in 2019, the Cardinal Stakes has become a standout fixture in Chelmsford City Racecourse’s calendar, offering a £100,000 prize fund and attracting top-class three-year-olds from across Europe. Formerly the grand finale of the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, it has consistently produced future international champions, with past competitors winning major races in Ireland, France, the USA, UAE, Germany, Italy, and Qatar.

In 2025, the race gains further prestige with a new incentive—free entry (valued at $9,300) into the $1 million Grade 1 American Turf at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day. This exclusive opportunity allows the winner to compete on one of racing’s biggest stages.

Leading the field is Yaroogh, the highest-rated horse in the race with a rating of 106. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Cieren Fallon, Yaroogh impressed as a two-year-old, winning four races, including a Listed contest at Chantilly. He was narrowly denied victory in the BetVictor Harris Hill Stakes at Newbury but remains a formidable competitor. Close behind is Luther, trained by Charlie Fellowes and partnered with Jim Crowley. With a rating of 104, Luther secured victory in the Listed Betfair Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes at Haydock with an impressive turn of foot. Despite an unbalanced run in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) at Newmarket, he remains a serious threat in this line-up.

Another strong contender is Detain, trained by John & Thady Gosden, who previously won the Cardinal Stakes in 2021 with Fundamental. With a rating of 103, Detain has experience at the top level, having contested the Group 1 William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster. Wolf Of Badenoch, trained by Hugo Palmer and ridden by Jamie Spencer, is another formidable entry. Runner-up in the Group 2 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, he has already proven his class and finished fourth in the Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2) at Doncaster, confirming his ability to compete at a high level.

Port Light, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle, brings winning form at Chelmsford, having scored in the bet365 Restricted Novice Stakes under the same jockey-trainer combination. He will look to use that course experience to his advantage. Hott Shott, trained by Richard Hughes and ridden by Finley Marsh, returns to the Cardinal Stakes after Marsh and Hughes won last year’s edition with Bracken’s Laugh. Hott Shott won a novice event at Kempton and finished second in the “European Road To The Kentucky Derby” Conditions Stakes in February, making him a note-worthy contender once again.

Quai De Bethune, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by James Doyle, will be looking to make his mark in this year’s race. Balding won the inaugural Cardinal Stakes in 2019 with Bye Bye Hong Kong, and Quai De Bethune was fourth behind Hott Shott in the “European Road To The Kentucky Derby” Conditions Stakes at Kempton.

Neil Graham, Racing Director at Chelmsford City Racecourse said: “We’re thrilled to see such a high-quality field assembled for the bet365 Cardinal Conditions Stakes. This race has grown in stature year after year, attracting increasingly competitive runners, and the 2025 renewal looks to be the most impressive yet, showcasing top-class talent with serious future potential.“

With such a deep and competitive field, the 2025 Cardinal Stakes at Chelmsford City Racecourse promises to be a thrilling spectacle. Racing fans can expect a fierce contest between these talented young horses as they vie for victory in one of the season’s standout races.

To learn more about the Cardinal Stakes and purchase tickets, click here.