The upsets continued at Randwick on Saturday, with Royal Patronage, from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, winning the 2025 Canterbury Stakes.

Royal Patronage winning the 2025 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick in an upset. Photo: © 2025 – Bradley Photos.

The six-year-old defied expectations, outstaying his more fancied rivals in the 1300m Group 1 clash.

Following Linebacker’s victory over Broadsiding in the Randwick Guineas, Royal Patronage ($20) delivered another upset, providing a lucrative result for those who backed him.

Tim Clark delivered a perfectly timed first-up ride, guiding the French-bred entire to his maiden Group 1 success.

Here To Shock ($8.50) finished second, while favourite Magic Time ($4.40F) finished third after encountering traffic issues.

“He’s an incredible horse, you know, to do what he did in his first start in Australia and first preparation, I thought was, you know, one of the most forward Europeans that we’ve had over,” co-trainer Bott told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the win.

“I always felt there would be some improvement to an extent, this preparation from him, and we’ve seen that today.”

Here To Shock, trained by Ben, Will & JD Hayes, set the pace, with Royal Patronage close behind.

As they entered the final furlong, Royal Patronage challenged Here To Shock, and the two engaged in a thrilling battle to the finish.

Royal Patronage, returning from a seventh-place finish in the Cox Plate, had enough in reserve to pull clear and win by 0.37 lengths.

Magic Time, despite encountering traffic, finished strongly, just a length behind the winner.

“He’s come and won an important weight-for-age Group 1 race for him and being an entire that’s going to help his value going forward, but I still feel there’s a bit more to come from him. So, I felt he was a bit unlucky at various stages throughout the preparation. He ran some big races, ran at the top level against some quality horses, and as I said, all in his first preparation in Australia. So, he’s shown that nice improvement this time around, and I think he can go right on with it,” Bott continued.

Royal Patronage’s victory was a testament to his resilience, having previously placed third in the 7 Stakes and Epsom at Randwick.

“It was another big run at Randwick for the Canterbury Stakes champ who ran back-to-back thirds at the course over the mile in the spring behind Fangirl in the 7 Stakes and Ceolwulf in the Epsom,” a racing analyst from Races.com.au noted.

Royal Patronage is now expected to target the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22 and the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 5 for which he is now exempt from ballot.

“Look, we’re always had a big circle around the Doncaster, felt kicking off here and through the George Ryder would be a nice style of preparation,” Bott confirmed.

Forbidden Love was the last horse to complete the Canterbury Stakes/George Ryder Stakes double.

Royal Patronage is now priced at $8 for the George Ryder Stakes in the latest all-in markets at Ladbrokes.

2025 Canterbury Stakes Results 

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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