11 Jun Which day will suit you best?

Royal Ascot is a national institution and the centrepiece of the British social calendar. Each year, for the third week in June, tradition, pageantry, fashion and style combine at one of the most beautiful settings in the country.

The quality of the racing at Royal Ascot is simply outstanding, with £4.5 million in prize money on offer and a total of eighteen ‘Group’ races (racing’s term for the most prestigious races) over the five days.

Each day follows the same format with The Royal Procession making its way from the Golden Gates, along the racecourse and into the Parade Ring from 2.00pm each afternoon. The first race of six each day is at 2.30pm and the last race is at 5.35pm, after which racegoers are invited to celebrate their winnings as they sing traditional favourites, and a few new ones, around the bandstand.

Tuesday 19th June

The opening day of what is sure to be a spectacular Royal Meeting gets off to a flying start with three Group 1 races (i.e. the very best in the world); the Queen Anne Stakes, the King’s Stand Stakes – the first British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge – and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

As the first day of Royal Ascot, the fashion stakes are high but the atmosphere is relaxed which allows racegoers the chance to enjoy a glass of Champagne between races or explore the racecourse at their leisure.

Wednesday 20th June

The highlight of the second day is the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, being run this year as “The 150th Anniversary of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes”. This is arguably the most important race at the Royal Meeting with an increased prize fund of £500,000 on offer.

Also on the card are the Group 2 Windsor Forest Stakes, for older female milers and the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes, for the best up and coming two year old fillies (females).

Wednesday is perfect for groups of friends to enjoy the Royal Ascot experience at a slightly gentler pace.

Thursday 21st June

Thursday’s highlight is the Group 1 Gold Cup, a battle of stamina and determination over two miles and four furlongs – this undisputed long distance world championship is not for the faint hearted!

To commemorate 300 years of racing, the Hampton Court Stakes was renamed in 2011 as The Tercentenary Stakes.

Style, elegance and the height of the summer social calendar all combine on Gold Cup Day, colloquially known as ‘Ladies’ Day’. Although the whole week of Royal Ascot is a fashion show like no other, it is Thursday when the designer creations and millinery masterpieces reach new heights.

Friday 22nd June

The feature race on Friday is the Coronation Stakes, which traditionally brings together the leading three-year-old fillies in Europe.

Also on the card is the King Edward VII Stakes, colloquially called the ‘Ascot Derby,’ as its conditions mirror those of the Epsom Classic.

This is the perfect way to start the weekend with friends and work colleagues.

Saturday 23rd June

The final day of the Royal Meeting always provides a dramatic climax and features one of the world’s most important and international races,  the Golden Jubilee Stakes, renamed as the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012 to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s important milestone. The race is also the second British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.

Although the fashions are as elaborate as they are during the week, there is a pronounced, relaxed family feel as many people who are unable to attend until the weekend come to enjoy the experience of the greatest race meeting in the world.