Gear up for the excitement of Royal Ascot. There is simply no other horse racing event like it. Royal Ascot brings together top quality racing and a focus on fashion and style unlike any other meeting.
Taking place this year between June 18-22, Royal Ascot race meeting is known as Europe’s most famous, and it is the best attended as well. There is plenty to look forward to with more prize money waiting to be won than ever before.
There is no doubt that this year, runners and riders will be competing for huge winnings, totalling over 5 million euros for the first time ever. There are massive totals on offer for the winner of most of the group one races, which take place on each of the meeting’s five days.
Another innovation this year is the re-naming of the Windsor Forest Stakes as the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. This honours the new title that was recently given to Prince William.
So, which horses are likely to triumph at the big money races this year? Much of the pre-meeting speculation centered on the undefeated Australian mare Black Caviar. However, in the end, the horse’s owners decided that it was time to retire the superstar who will not travel to Ascot.
The Prince of Wales Stakes 150th anniversary race promises to be an exciting event. Perhaps the most glamorous race of the meeting though is the Ascot Gold Cup, where competition will be fierce in the lung-busting two and a half-mile race.
Saddler’s Rock endured a disappointing run last year, but is fancied by many to make a big impression this time round. A good outside bet though could be Mark Johnston’s big rangy horse Sir Graham Wade.
However, Royal Ascot horse racing is of course about so much more than the racing itself. No other horse racing event, or possibly sporting event can rival Royal Ascot for glamour.
Dating all the way back to 1711, when Queen Anne founded the event, it is a highlight of the British social calendar. With Queen Elizabeth herself in attendance at least once during the meeting and other senior members of the Royal Family also visiting throughout the week, Royal Ascot is simply the place to be seen.
Another unique feature of the meeting is the fashion on parade. Those who attend the Royal Enclosure must don formal wear, which for women invariably includes a fascinating range of clothes, hats in particular. It’s all part of the unique atmosphere of Royal Ascot.
Feel like betting? Visit the royal ascot betting page for more information.
