The Glamour of the Royal Ascot Race Meeting

No sooner will the running of the 2009 Epsom Derby and Epsom Oaks are over when attention will immediately turn to the five days of top class racing that takes place not too far from the Downs at Epsom, at what is known worldwide as Royal Ascot which has been on the sporting calendar for nearly 300 years and is still one of the jewels in England's sporting crown and a true spectacle both on and off the turf.

This year Royal Ascot takes place between 16-20th June and will feature its usual sixteen Group races, including six at Group One level which represent a staggering 20% of Group One races held in England each year. In all, there will be a total of £3m pounds on offer in prize money, the single biggest draw together with the prestige of winning any of the races is what attracts the biggest names from the equine world of Thoroughbred racing from the Trainers, Jockeys and owners' right down to the Horses. It is the allure of Royal Ascot which attracts these participants from all corners of the Globe, from the UK and Ireland to South Africa and Australia.

The Queen and her royal entourage attend Royal Ascot each year arriving each day by horse drawn carriage with the usual pomp and ceremony as they head down the course before taking up their positions in the Royal Box.
For many, Royal Ascot is not necessarily about the racing, it is the prestige of attending what is one of the most significant days in the social calendar. Press coverage often concerns itself more with what celebrities and dignitaries are in attendance and more importantly what our celebrity obsessed society, what items and brands of clothing they are wearing rather than the results of the races. This is a contentious issue as it often takes away from the awesome quality of the sporting action on offer, but nevertheless it does add to the marvel of what Royal Ascot is all about. However, this it is a separate debate in itself and best left for another time.

Those fortunate enough or indeed unfortunate enough to be invited to the Royal Enclosure must don a morning suit, but such is the prestige of being at Royal Ascot that most attending the meeting wears one anyway. Ladies Day is the feature of the five day meeting and always falls on the Thursday, which is also the same day as the Ascot Gold Cup, but it is usually the fillies in the Stands who receive the attention of the press as oppose to those of the four legged variety.

It is likely that well over 300,000 race goers will turn up at Royal Ascot this year, making it the best attended race meeting in Europe, far bigger than that of even the prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Last year it was the Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O'Brien who stole the Royal Ascot show, with four winners, including last year's 2000 Guineas winner, Henrythenavigator, who won the St James Palace Stakes. However it was Yeats who most captured the warmth of the meeting when he strode up to claim his record equaling third Ascot Gold Cup. O'Brien has confirmed that Yeats will run again this year hoping to break that long standing record and he is already favourite to do so.

For whatever reason the Royal Ascot race meeting captures your attention, it is certainly an enjoyable occasion and one to be savored with plenty of enjoyment to be had both on and off the Race track.