Royal Ascot: Our trip to a highlight of the British summer
Updated: Jul 2
What is Royal Ascot?
With five days top quality action, Ascot Racecourse plays host to an event that sees the royal family attend each day, travelling in procession from Windsor Castle. The course (which underwent a £220m redevelopment in 2005) was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, and the first royal meeting was staged in 1768. Entries come in from around the world, and hundreds of thousands of spectators descend in June each year, following a strict dress code, and enjoying 35 races spread across the week.
What's the itinerary?
From hotels around the course, we'll bus you in and out each day, ensuring you never have to worry about travel. Once at the racecourse, there's a choice of enclosures and hospitality, and you'll be given a good view of the racing, with plenty of betting and bars on site. Breakfast and admission is included in your package, along, of course, with top class accommodation.
What happened in 2023's edition?
To a global audience of millions, TM The King and Queen welcomed their first Royal Ascot winner, who came in the form of William Haggas trained Desert Hero. Elsewhere, Julie Camacho saw big race success in the Commonwealth Cup, Pyledriver returned with a win in the Hardwicke, Kevin Stott took the Edward VII on King Of Steel, and cancer battling Jessie Harrington welcomed a Royal Ascot win in the Kensington Palace on Day Two. It was, however, Frankie Dettori's festival. He took his tally to 81 at the close of the week, with three wins in 2023, including the feature race of the week: the Ascot Gold Cup.
What about a Frankie Dettori preview?
Frankie Dettori, who rode his first Royal Ascot winner in 1990, bowed out in 2023 during his Farewell Tour of the UK and abroad. He will, however, remain a Racing Breaks ambassador, and plans are in place for him to deliver an exclusive Royal Ascot preview in 2024, sharing his extensive knowledge of the track, behind-the-scenes gossip, and insider information.