Ascot Racecourse
Ascot racecourse was founded by 1711 when Queen Anne decided that an open heath known as East Cote would be perfect for galloping horses. The world famous British venue is located in the town of Ascot in Berkshire. It is owned by Ascot Racecourse Ltd and has strong ties with the British Royal Family - Windsor Castle is located just a few miles away. The right-handed course is just over one mile long. There are two race tracks, one flat and the other with jumps. It is renowned for being a difficult course, in particular over the fences. The first race meeting was held at Ascot in 1711. The event, known as Her Majesty’s Plate, was worth 100 guineas and open to any horse, gelding or mare over six years old. Since 1840, it has been a tradition to open the Royal Ascot Meeting with the Queen Anne Stakes to honour the founding of the Royal Racecourse.
The first four-day Royal Meeting took place at Ascot in 1768. The racecourse was designed by William Lowen and the first permanent building was created by a local Windsor builder in 1794. It held 1,650 people and was in use for nearly fifty years. In 1813, the Act of Enclosure was passed in Parliament to secure Ascot Heaths future as a public racecourse.
The administration of Ascot is managed on behalf of the Crown by a representative assigned by the Royal Family. The Master of the Royal Buckhounds handled the venue until 1901, when Lord Churchill was appointed as His Majesty’s Representative. In 1913, an Act of Parliament established The Ascot Authority, with His Majesty’s Representative becoming Senior Trustee. Currently the Senior Trustee and Chairman is Jonny Weatherby of Ascot Authority Ltd.
In 2004, Ascot Racecourse was closed for major redevelopment works and was reopened in 2006, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Highlights at Ascot since 2006 include four Gold Cup wins by Yeats and Ascot’s tercentenary meeting, celebrated in 2011.
Thoroughbred horse racing at Ascot Racecourse is revered all over the world. Each year, the venue hosts nine of Great Britain’s 32 Group 1 races. Highlights of the Racing Calendar include The King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Royal Ascot is also home to many other events and is famous for its fine dining and strict dress code. In fact, it has almost become a fashion event in its own right. Entry prices vary depending on the ticket type and may vary from around £13 to in excess of £80. Children under 18 years of age are given free admission.
Packages are available, offering complimentary bar access, afternoon tea, welcome drinks, food, drinks and race cards along with many other options.
Royal Ascot has a strict dress code and dressing appropriately for the race season is very important. In fact, fashion plays a big part in the whole Ascot experience. Ladies should dress as for a smart occasion and gentlemen are required to wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie.
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