ENGLISH TEXTS
( clearly, we do things quite differently in France and in England), King Charles III and Queen Camilla offer a signed, personalised message:“ We are delighted to welcome you to Royal Ascot where we will enjoy another week of world-class racing that attracts participants and spectators from across the globe. This year marks the 200 th anniversary of the Royal Procession that travels from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse, a tradition that dates back to the reign of King George IV and represents a truly unique spectacle. The tireless Windsor Greys are magnificent each day and, in this special year, deserve particular recognition— as do those in the Royal Mews who care for them with such dedication. Having experienced the thrill of victory ourselves at Royal Ascot in 2023, we can only wish all competitors the very best of success and all spectators five most enjoyable days.” Such elegance! Royal Ascot seamlessly combines tradition, modernity and elite sport. One telling detail: the trophy presenters are listed in the famed racecard. Of course, members of the royal family preside over the podiums for the meeting’ s key races, but Ascot also showcases a hand-picked selection of renowned figures from sport, arts and fashion- such as Irishman Brian O’ Driscoll, a World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee; Olympic gold medallists Jessica Ennis-Hill( heptathlon) and
Tom McEwen( eventing); and cricket legend Brian Lara! On the cultural front, the lineup features British household names, while the fashion world is represented by designer Jasper Conran and former supermodel-turned-actress Jerry Hall. In this celebrity melting pot, the world of racing holds its rightful place. Guillaume de Saint-Seine presented the prize for the Copper Horse Stakes; retired jockeys Daryl Jacob( 31 Grade 1 wins over jumps) and Hayley Turner( first female jockey to ride 1,000 winners in Great Britain) took on the honour for other handicaps; and Jackie Mullins, wife of trainer Willie Mullins, had an unforgettable experience on Friday, arriving in one of the royal carriages before presenting the trophy for the first race of the day. The Royal Meeting is a spectacle from start to finish. The colours of the flowers and British flags abound, blending perfectly with exquisite outfits, sculpture displays, and even a two-century-old landau carriage, perfectly preserved and proudly exhibited in the grandstand. Culinary excellence is equally on display: the racecourse’ s restaurants collectively boast 29 Michelin stars, a world record for a sporting event, including offerings from French chefs Raymond Blanc, Yannick Alléno, and Benoît Blin. For those on a tighter budget, numerous food trucks are on hand, offering Fish and Chips, Mac and Cheese, Asian and Italian cuisine, and more- all washed down with a vast array of drinks, including the quintessentially British Pimm’ s! Add to this horses from four continents competing in races with total prize money exceeding £ 10 million, and every ingredient is there for a truly exceptional event. One piece of advice: if you ever get the chance, go and experience this one-of-a-kind meeting for yourself!
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VICKI GIBBINS’ CHRONICLE
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THE ARC, A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR SEA THE STARS
The winning post of the Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe – the scene of Sea The Stars’ greatest triumph and a place that his progeny keep returning to. Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe success was in Sea The Stars’ blood. Dam Urban Sea was successful in the autumn showpiece in 1993 and his own victory marked the close of a legendary racing career which included two Classic triumphs amongst a six-time Group 1 winning streak. Based at the Aga Khan’ s Gilltown Stud in Ireland, Sea The Stars was an
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