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Royal Ascot
nowhere else is remotely
comparable. It also receives
substantial coverage in the
national and overseas press.
It was, until the last decade, an
event where mainly British
horses participated, now the
racing is truly international and
it is also Europe’s largest race
meeting. Horses such as the
unbeaten Frankel, Fisherman,
in the 19th Century, Yeats, who
won the Gold Cup four times in
succession, and Brown Jack are
part of legend.
H. M. The Queen shares in Frankie Dettori’s infectious joy.
A
fter another successful
Royal Ascot this year, it
is important to examine one
of the reasons for the
appeal of this annual event,
which has been the highlight
of the Season for so long. It
is its history and traditions
which add meaning to its
magnificence. It was begun
by Queen Anne and the first
race took place in 1711. She
was fond of riding and
enjoyed racing despite her
physical incapacities.
Subsequently several monarchs
have been keen patrons of the
Turf. George IV loved the
conviviality involved in the sport
on which he squandered a
fortune. Edward VII was
renowned for his enthusiasms
which included racing. He
continued to attend after the
death of Prince Albert much to
the disapproval of Queen
Victoria and, when King, made
entrance to the Royal
Enclosure dependent on being
presented at Court.
H.M. The Queen’s fondness for
Royal Ascot is legendary, her
knowledge of equine matters is
famous and she has had 23
wins there. Her joy when her
horse, Estimate, won the
prestigious Gold Cup in 2013
was unforgettable. The royal
procession along the Straight
Mile from Windsor Castle has
been a much loved feature of
the Royal Meeting since 1825.
Royal Ascot is also a
fascinating mirror of the social
changes of the last 300 years.
It was only in 1955 that
divorcees were permitted to
enter the Royal Enclosure. It
was the most famous dandy of
all, Beau Brummel, who drew
up the first dress code for the
Enclosure. It was tightened
recently to exclude fascinators
and ensure sartorial standards
are upheld. This has been
highly successful. The Royal
Meeting has always
been a highly
significant
showcase for
the fashion
industry and
Lester Piggott is the most
famous of Ascot’s jockeys and
a statue of him was unveiled by
Hayley Turner becomes the first
female jockey to win at Royal Ascot
in 32 years.
the Queen during this year’s
Royal Meeting. Frankie Dettori,
famed for his “magnificent
seven” clean sweep of all
seven races on one day in
1996, Ryan Moore and the
Victorian Fred Archer are
among the others. The most
famous trainer is Sir
Henry Cecil who had
a record 75
winners at Royal
Ascot.
The Head of the
Ascot Office is
Her Majesty’s
More than 60,000 racegoers
attended.
Representative who is
responsible for admission.
Invitations to the Royal
Enclosure are coveted. A new
member must be sponsored by
two existing members and can
now bring guests on all days
but the Tuesday. Royal Ascot
originally lasted four days and
expanded to five in honour of
the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in
2002.
Racing has always been a
popular sport and around
300,000 attend the Royal
Meeting annually. There are
various enclosures with their
own dress codes. The course
underwent a £200 million
redevelopment, being
reopened by the Queen in
2006, and it can now compete
with the world’s finest. The link
with royalty. together with the
skill of the landscaping, the
stunningly beautiful vistas of
the race course, the lavish
floral decorations, the patriotic
bunting and climactic
singalong, the extraordinary
variety of restaurants and bars
and the sculptures, which often
commemorate famous horses
and jockeys …. give Royal
Ascot a cachet that is truly
unique.
RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS
A Royal Ascot Greencoat holding
the Gold Cup 2019.
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THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK