Boat Race 2025 Odds: Cambridge odds-on for the Men/Women Double

The 170th edition of the University Boat Race will take place along the River Thames on Sunday, as the Oxford and Cambridge teams take on one another in one of the most famous races on water.

We take you through the headline participants, the news and bad blood that has been spilling out, where and when to watch along with the all-important latest Boat Race 2025 Odds from our colleagues over on the main Betfred website…

Where and when to watch on TV:

The Boat Race spent a short time over on ITV between 2005 and 2009 but it just feels like the BBC is its rightful home and that is where you'll be able to watch the race this weekend.

Coverage will begin at 12:20 with the women's race set for a 13:21 start and the men getting underway an hour later at 14:21.

Clare Balding will present proceedings but will be joined by a cast of familiar (and not so familiar) faces. Rishi Persad and Qasa Alom will accompany her with guests including the Labour Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan

Crews:

Oxford Women’s Team:

• Daniel Orton (Cox)
• Heidi Long (Stroke)
• Kyra Delray
• Annie Anezakis
• Sarah Marshall
• Alexia Lowe
• Tessa Haining
• Lilli Freischem
• Sarah Polson (Bow)

Cambridge Women’s Team:

• Jack Nicholas (Cox)
• Samy Morton (Stroke)
• Tash Morrice
• Claire Collins
• Carys Earl
• Annie Wertheimer
• Sophia Hahn
• Gemma King
• Katy Hempson (Bow)

Oxford Men’s Team:

• Tobias Bernard (Cox)
• Nico Kohl (Stroke)
• Nick Rusher
• Tom Mackintosh
• Tass von Mueller
• James Doran
• Felix Rawlinson
• Will O’Connell
• Tom Sharrock (Bow)

Cambridge Men’s Team:

• Ollie Boyne (Cox)
• Douwe de Graaf (Stroke)
• Simon Hatcher
• James Robson
• George Bourne
• Gabriel Mahler
• Luke Beever
• Noam Mouelle
• Luca Ferraro (Bow)

Just like a year ago, on the Women's side, it is Cambridge who return more rowers to the race. The Dark Blues have Tessa Haining once more in their boat but the Light Blues with have both Gemma King and Carys Earl back.

For the men, Oxford have James Doran back in the boat for the third straight year. He’ll be looking to finally get a win to his name after two previous defeats.

Cambridge brought back five crew members in 2024 but only Luca Ferraro returns this time around.

Controversy:

The 2025 race made headlines a good month or so ago when Oxford complained about the inclusion of Matt Heywood, Molly Foxell and Kate Cowley in the Cambridge squads. They believed that because all three were studying for their teaching qualifications rather than full-blown degrees, that they shouldn't be allowed to compete.

In previous years, rowers studying PGCE courses have been allowed to race but for reasons unknown, Oxford decided that they wanted to change the interpretation of the rules this time around and an independent panel agreed with them.  This has caused plenty of consternation and created bad blood between the two universities.

This issue might pale in comparison to the water quality of the River Thames, which again will be a storyline that will get plenty of attention.

Boat Race 2025 Odds:

On the men's side, Cambridge have won five of the past six editions and are considered heavy favourites by Betfred. You can back the Light Blues at just 1/3 with the Dark Blues a 9/4 shot. The Dead Heat at 100/1 would be pretty special but highly unlikely.

For the women, Cambridge have dominated to an even-greater degree, emerging victorious in seven-straight. They are odds-on to make it eight and can be backed at 2/9. Oxford are 3/1 to get their first win since 2016. 100/1 again is the price for a Dead Heat.

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