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The Royal Ascot Festival
14th - 18th June 2011
The Royal Ascot premiered on 11th August 1711. Founded by Queen Anne it staged Her Majesty's Plate as its maiden race, offering a purse of 100 guineas. Since then the Royal Ascot has been the highlight of the racing season; representing glamour, elegance and sporting perfection. A winner at the Royal Ascot will be remembered.
As it is tradition, the Queen attends the Royal Ascot meeting annually. The royal presence, which calls for a royal enclosure, draws not only racing fans but also spectators watching the action in her Majesty's enclosure rather than on the track. The dress code in the royal enclosure is very inflexible, requiring suits, top heads, covered midriffs and shoulders, as well as ladies' hats. Outside the royal enclosure things are a little more relaxed, in principle, but the mere proximity of the royal family inspires most attendees to dress to the nines.
Race Days
Day One
The first day of the Royal Ascot Festival features the Queen Anne Stakes in honour of the founding mother of the event; the St. James' Palace Stakes, and the King's Stand Stakes.
Day Two
The highlight of the second day is the Prince of Wales' Stakes.
Day Three
On the third day of the Royal Ascot the most anticipated race of the meeting takes place, the Ascot Gold Cup.
Day Four
The day after the main event could lag in action, however the feature race of the Coronation Stakes makes sure the excitement stays in the air.
Day Five
The last day of the Royal Ascot Festival thrills the crowd for one last time with the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
The Ascot Gold Cup
The Ascot Gold Cup is the principal race of the five days that constitute the Royal Ascot Festival. It runs over a distance of two miles and four furlongs, and is open to thoroughbred horses aged four and above. Its distance classifies it as a so-called 'stayers' event, meaning that it puts the horses' stamina to the test. Amongst its kind it is the most prestigious and valuable of races.
The Gold Cup is also the first race of the British Stayers' Triple Crown, which is later in the season completed by the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup. The trophy for the Gold Cup is traditionally presented by her Majesty the Queen, as well as the trophies for the Royal Hunt Cup and the Queen's Vase, which also feature during the Royal Ascot Festival.
