Horse of the year 2025
Royal Patrinage
In 2025, Royal Patronage achieved a major breakthrough by winning the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on 8 March 2025. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stallion delivered a significant upset, paying $20.00 for the win and $4.80 for the place. He followed this with a elite placing in the Doncaster Mile, finishing 2nd by just 0.14 lengths.
2025 Race Performance
| Date | Race | Venue | Result | Odds (Win/Place) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 2025 | King Charles III Stakes (G1) | Randwick | 11th of 12 | $31.00 / – |
| 20 Sep 2025 | Bill Ritchie Handicap (G3) | Randwick | 5th of 10 | $3.40 / – |
| 27 Apr 2025 | Champions Mile (G1) | Sha Tin (HK) | 12th of 12 | $34.00 / – |
| 05 Apr 2025 | The Star Doncaster Mile (G1) | Rosehill | 2nd of 20 | – / – |
| 08 Mar 2025 | Canterbury Stakes (G1) | Moonee Valley | 1st of 11 | $20.00 / $4.80 |
Key Achievements in 2025
- Group 1 Breakthrough: His victory in the Canterbury Stakes was his first Group 1 win, defeating quality rivals like Here To Shock and Magic Time.
- Near-Miss in Doncaster: Almost secured a second Group 1 in the Doncaster Mile, narrowly beaten by Stefi Magnetica in a photo finish.
- International Campaign: He traveled to Hong Kong in April for the Champions Mile, though he finished unplaced after a tough run.
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Career Earnings: By the end of his 2025 spring campaign, his career prize money reached approximately $2.79 million.
