Royal Ascot is one of the highlights of the year for many sports fans. The Berkshire-based racecourse is just 25 miles away from West London, which makes it easily accessible by car or public transport.
Here is a look at this year’s meeting, and what there is to look forward to at the five-day event in June.
Best Horses from Around the World
This year’s Royal Ascot line-up is set to feature the best horses from around the world again, including France, UAE and the USA. They are all targeting the prestigious races across the week, as they bid to add their names to the roll of honour at the racecourse.
The King’s Stand Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes are the two biggest sprint races of the week, and they tend to attract some of the leading Australian sprinters. This year’s meeting could see star mare Imperatriz take on her European rivals. She is the third highest-rated Flat horse in the world rankings.
There is also expected to be a strong field for the Group One Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Auguste Rodin prevailed in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the USA in 2023. He is likely to take on King Of Steel and Luxembourg in an excellent renewal of the middle-distance race.
Chance For Dreams to Be Made
Every racehorse owner dreams of having a runner at Royal Ascot, whether it is as a sole owner or as part of a syndicate. For those involved in the latter, it is the opportunity to mix it with the biggest owners in the sport. You can buy shares in a racehorse today for as little as £33 with RaceShare, and if one of these horses progresses to the top level, they may run in one of the races across the five days.
There have been some great headlines made at previous Royal Ascot meetings when it comes to the owners in the winner’s enclosure. In 2011, the late Queen Elizabeth II won the feature race of the week – the Ascot Gold Cup – with Estimate, while there was a David vs Goliath storyline in 2023 when Shaquille won the Group One Commonwealth Cup. The sprinter was bred by his owners who had never had a runner at the meeting before. He completed a fairytale journey for them at the royal meeting.
Fashion and Hospitality
Fashion at Royal Ascot is just as important as the racing on the track. There is a strict dress code in place for large parts of the racecourse, so if you are going this year, do check what is required for each enclosure.
Many racegoers enjoy dressing up for the spirit of the occasion at Royal Ascot. Prizes are offered for several best-dressed categories, including the best hat and shoes.
If you are looking to enjoy Royal Ascot in style this year, hospitality packages remain available. You can enjoy some fine dining across your afternoon or book a private box to watch the racing with friends and family.
Royal Ascot 2024 takes place between 18-22 June, and the final declarations are announced 48 hours before each race.
