Royal Ascot originated from a horse race which took place 300 years ago on the very same grounds that the event takes place on today. Not far from Windsor Castle, this prime real estate was suggested by Queen Anne in 1711 as the perfect location for a racecourse. The royal\’s vision and passion as a keen rider are honoured to this day in the Queen Anne Stakes held in memory of Ascot\’s founder.

From the first running of the Gold Cup in 1807, Royal Ascot has continued to grow over the years to become the spectacle which it is today. In a grand pageant of tradition and an exploitation of fashion and style, Royal Ascot\’s glorious setting is the backdrop for this Royal Meeting and is attended by about 300,000 people with as much as 4 million in prize money on offer and a total of eighteen \”Group\” races over the five days. With racehorse ownership becoming more accessible by means of racehorse syndicates, more racehorse owners are experiencing the thrills of seeing their horse run.

Royal Ascot is simply the most famous horse racing meeting in the world with Day 3 being the most popular as this is the running of the Gold Cup. The racing is almost eclipsed on Day 3 as this is also Ladies Day, one of the highest ranked social events of the year, attracting great media and press coverage for the displays of fashion.

Attendance of HM Elizabeth II arriving by horse-drawn carriage accompanied by a Royal entourage begins each day with the raising of the Queen\’s Royal Standard. Prestigious and exclusive, the Royal Enclosure is a very restricted area available only to the socially elite. First-time attendants must be sponsored and all must follow a strict dress code. Men have to wear a full morning suit in either black or grey, as well as a waistcoat and top hat. The women\’s dress code requires them to wear dresses or skirts which are below the knee, also shoulders and midriff should not be exposed. The hats, well, the hats become the show.

The Races

Royal Ascot hosts 18 Group races out of a total of 30 races over five days, featuring at least one Group One race each day. Group One races are highly regarded and consist of the \”Classics\” as well as international races of major importance. Most notably is the Ascot Gold Cup, the Queen Anne Stakes, Prince of Wales Stakes, King\’s Stand Stakes, St. James\’ Palace Stakes, Coronation Stakes and the Golden Jubilee Stakes.

The Queen presents the Gold Cup, the Queen\’s Vase and the Royal Hunt Cup. Uniquely, these winners can keep their trophies whereas other race winners should return the trophies after a year. Being a member of a racehorse syndicate enables owners to be a part of race days, join their horse in the paddock and should they be lucky enough also enter the winner\’s circle.