20 Facts About Royal Ascot

1.

Over its 300-year history, Ascot has established itself as a national institution, with Royal Ascot being the centrepiece of the British summer social calendar and the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world.

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2.

Administration of the Royal Ascot Racecourse is handled on behalf of the Crown by a representative appointed by the Monarch.

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3.

The Royal Ascot Authority was established in 1913 by a further Act of Parliament, with His Majesty's Representative becoming Senior Trustee.

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4.

The Queen has not missed the annual Royal Ascot Meeting since her Coronation in 1953, and traditionally presents The Gold Cup and The Diamond Jubilee Stakes each year.

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5.

In 2004, Royal Ascot Racecourse was closed for a £220 million redevelopment, the single biggest investment in British Racing.

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6.

Royal Ascot has hosted many of the world's most famous flat horses including Frankel, Nijinsky, Sagaro, Yeats, Mill Reef, Grundy, Dancing Brave, Swain, Galileo and Enable.

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7.

Notable jumps races held at Royal Ascot are The Clarence House Chase, The Royal Ascot Chase and The Long Walk Hurdle, all Grade 1 contests.

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8.

Royal Ascot has hosted many of the world's most famous jumps horses including Arkle, Desert Orchid, Sprinter Sacre, Sire De Grugy, Kauto Star, Cue Card, Baracouda, Thistlecrack, Cyrname and Altior.

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9.

Royal Ascot evolved from the first four-day race meeting held at Ascot in 1768, although the meeting as it is known today only really started to take shape with the introduction of The Gold Cup in 1807.

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10.

Each of the five days of Royal Ascot begins with the Royal Procession at 2pm, when the Queen and other members of the royal family arrive down the straight mile in the Royal Landaus, accompanied by the playing of the National Anthem and the raising of the Royal Standard.

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11.

The Royal Ascot Enclosure is the most prestigious, with access strictly limited.

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12.

Royal Ascot Enclosure has the strictest Dress Code, with men wearing grey, navy or black morning dress and top hat, and women wearing formal daywear and a hat with a solid base of 4 inches or more in diameter.

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13.

Annual Royal Ascot Meeting takes place over five days, each with a unique offering of racing and atmosphere.

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14.

Wednesday of Royal Ascot provides a relaxed atmosphere off the track and an intense atmosphere on it, with the highlight on the card being the prestigious Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, so memorably won in 2019 by superstars Crystal Ocean and Frankie Dettori.

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15.

Undoubtedly the most electric day of the Royal Ascot Meeting is Thursday, with the oldest and most prestigious race taking place – The Gold Cup staged over two-and-a-half miles, making it a stiff test for even the world's most elite long-distance horses.

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16.

Fourth day of the Royal Ascot Meeting features two Group 1 races in The Coronation Stakes and The Commonwealth Cup, whilst the final day, Saturday, offers a relaxed and social atmosphere.

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17.

Since 2011 Royal Ascot has staged QIPCO British Champions Day annually in October, now the culmination of the European elite flat racing season.

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18.

Royal Ascot Racecourse launched the Colts and Fillies club, a free club for children aged 17 and under, in 2002.

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19.

Royal Ascot Racecourse has become a popular venue for events, with 300+ meeting and conference rooms as well as the Grandstand Atrium, with over 4,000 square meters of exhibition space.

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20.

Royal Ascot United FC is located towards the eastern side of the site.

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