Royal Ascot - The Horse Racing Event of the Year

Steeped in history and a part of British culture, Royalthan elsewhere. Men have to wear a full morning suit,
Ascot is the horse racing event of the year. Heldin either black or grey, including a waistcoat and a top
annually in June, the event takes place over a periodhat. Women must wear formal dress with a hat and
of five days and is attended by about 300,000 people,cannot have their midriffs or shoulders showing.
many of whom come for the social event rather thanMiniskirts aren't allowed and trousers must be full
because they're interested in horse racing!length!
When and Where is Royal Ascot?Less strict than the Royal Enclosure is the Grandstand.
Royal Ascot is held in mid-June each year; the datesWomen must be smartly dressed and although hats
for 2009 are from Tuesday 16th June to Saturdayaren't compulsory here many women like to wear
20th June.them anyway. Men are required to wear a shirt and a
Royal Ascot takes place at Ascot Racecourse whichtie and preferably a suit or jacket. And for Silver Ring
is in the village of Ascot in Berkshire, in the south ofadmission although smart dress is encouraged there
England. Ascot itself is only a small village with basicisn't a formal dress code.
amenities including some places to stay, but there areA History of Royal Ascot
many larger towns in the vicinity including Bracknell,Ascot has always had a royal connection as it was
Windsor and Egham where you'll find plenty ofQueen Anne who first suggested a racecourse at
accommodation to choose from.Ascot back in 1711. Like many royals, Queen Anne
What is Royal Ascot?was a keen rider and was out riding one day from
Royal Ascot is the most famous horse racing meetingWindsor Castle when she came across this area of
in the world. Renowned for its high-status reputation it'sland and thought it would be perfect for horse racing.
become one of the major events of the British socialNot long after, the first race took place on Saturday
calendar. And though it may be a race meeting, forAugust 11, 1711 and now the Queen Anne Stakes are
many visitors Royal Ascot is really more of a socialheld in memory of Ascot's founder.
get together than an admiration for the sport of horseThe Royal Meeting apparently evolved over time as it
racing!wasn't an event which had been specifically planned
Despite this the Royal Meeting (as it's officially called),like this. Although there had commonly been royalty at
hosts some of the most prestigious races in the worldrace meetings, the format of Royal Ascot that we
and though it's often the attendees and what they'reknow today really came into being with the running of
wearing which gets the most media coverage, thethe first Gold Cup in 1807. Royal Ascot has grown in
races are very important in the racing calendar, with apopularity every year since then.
total prize money of over £3 million on offer.Buying Tickets For Royal Ascot
So if you're planning on attending Royal Ascot, here'sThere are two types of tickets available to buy for
some useful information about the races which youRoyal Ascot - Grandstand Admission and Silver Ring.
can wow your friends with!Grandstand Admission includes the following:
Ladies' Day- Access to seating on the Grandstand from where
Ladies' Day is historically the most popular day ofyou can watch the races
Royal Ascot and takes place on Day 3 (Thursday).- Further viewing areas at ground level and lawn level
This has always been the best attended day because- Opportunity to watch the Royal Procession
the Ascot Gold Cup is held today. It's not certain why- Access to the Parade Ring and Pre-Parade Ring
this became known as Ladies' Day, but the assumption- An assortment of places where you can eat, drink
is that traditionally more ladies happened to come toand place bets.
Royal Ascot on this day!Silver Ring Tickets include the following:
The Races- Viewing areas from which to watch the races and
Out of a total of 30 races, Royal Ascot features 16the Royal Procession
Group races across the five days, and each day- Over 2,000 seats available from which to watch the
features at least one Group One race. Group Oneracing
races are held in the highest regard and include- Eating, drinking and betting opportunities
'Classics' and other races of major international- Big screen TV's
importance. As already mentioned, there's the Ascot- Entertainment every day in the form of live music.
Gold Cup, plus other Group One races include theTickets are available direct from Ascot Racecourse,
King's Stand Stakes, St. James's Palace Stakes,either from the website or by telephoning 0870 727
Queen Anne Stakes, Prince of Wales's Stakes,1234.
Coronation Stakes and Golden Jubilee Stakes.Getting to Royal Ascot
Other famous races include the Queen's Vase andAscot Racecourse is easily accessible by road and by
the Royal Hunt Cup, and the winners of these, alongrail and there are major motorways nearby. London's
with the Gold Cup, have their trophies presented byHeathrow airport is also within easy reach of Ascot.
the Queen. Interestingly these three trophies areBy Road:
actually re-made each year so that the winners get toFrom London and the North - Leave the M4 at
keep them, unlike with the other races where theJunction 6 onto the A332, the Windsor by-pass, then
winners have to give the trophies back after a year.follow signs to Ascot.
The Royal EnclosureFrom the West - Leave the M4 at Junction 10 onto
Royal Ascot may be prestigious but the Royalthe A329(M) which is signed to Bracknell, then follow
Enclosure is the most prestigious part of Royal Ascot!the signs to Ascot.
As you might expect, access to the Royal EnclosureFrom the South and East - Leave the M3 at Junction
is very restricted and only available to the socially elite.3 onto the A332 towards Bracknell, then follow the
To be allowed in for the first time you must besigns to Ascot.
sponsored by someone who has attended the RoyalFrom the Midlands - Leave the M40 at Junction 4 onto
Enclosure over at least four years, though these don'tthe A404 towards the M4. Join the M4 towards
have to be consecutive years.Heathrow and London. Exit the M4 at Junction 6 onto
Dress Codethe A332 and the Windsor by-pass, then follow signs
Royal Ascot is renowned for being a very smartto Ascot.
occasion and for some attendees it's a bit of a fashionParking:
show to see who's wearing the best dress or the bestParking is available at Ascot Racecourse for a fee
hat!though it must be pre-booked with your tickets in
In the Royal Enclosure the dress code is more strictadvance.