The 2025 Royal Ascot witnessed one of the most remarkable upsets in horse racing history as Cercene, a 33-1 outsider, clinched victory in the Coronation Stakes. This triumph was not just a win but a culmination of 50 years of relentless dedication by Irish trainer Joe Murphy, who has been in the sport since 1977.

Gary Carroll, the jockey aboard Cercene, executed a masterful ride, overtaking the French-trained favorite Zarigana in a nail-biting finish to win by half a length. "This is heaven on Earth," Murphy exclaimed, reflecting on the years of hard work and passion that led to this moment.

Cercene's victory was particularly poignant given her previous performance, where she finished a strong third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. "She's very tough, she wanted to win. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic," Carroll added, emphasizing the horse's determination and resilience.

The day also saw other surprises, including Time For Sandals winning the Commonwealth Cup at 25-1, ridden by Richard Kingscote for trainer Harry Eustace. Eustace celebrated a double victory, having also won the Queen Anne Stakes earlier in the week.

Venetian Sun, trained by Karl Burke, ended Aidan O'Brien's dominance in juvenile races by winning the Albany Stakes. Burke praised the filly, calling her "the best two-year-old I've trained."

The 2025 Royal Ascot will be remembered not just for the thrilling races but for the stories of perseverance and triumph that unfolded on the track.