The Sport of Kings

Royal Ascot has long been one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, and 2023 promises to be another unforgettable experience. The five-day event will take place from Tuesday June 20 to Saturday June 24 at the iconic racecourse in Berkshire and all of the best action will be available live on ITV.

Among the many highlights will be 13 Group 1 races, which include the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, the Queen Anne Stakes, the Gold Cup and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. The whole event draws in big-name runners and riders from around the globe, including France, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and the US.

History

Royal Ascot dates back to Queen Anne who, in 1711, discovered an area of heathland near Windsor Castle that was perfect for horse racing. She established the first racecourse there, and the first race meeting was held in August of that year. The event was named “Her Majesty’s Plate,” and quickly became a popular social event, attended by royalty, aristocrats and members of high society.

Announcement of the first race meeting at Ascott, London Gazette (12 July 1711)

Her Majesty’s Plate of 100 guineas will be run for round the new heath on Ascott Common near Windsor on Tuesday August 7th next, by any horse, mare or gelding being no more than six years old the grass before, as must be certified under the hand of the breeder, carrying 12 St., three heats, to be entered the last day of July at Mr. Hancock’s, Fern Hill, near the starting post. 

As the event’s popularity grew it became known as “Royal Ascot” in 1807 when King George III made it an official royal event. It became a showcase for the best horses and jockeys, and was also known for its high fashion and social scene.

Originally the races were run over a variety of distances and the programme was often different from year to year. However in 1834, the St James’s Palace Stakes was established, and became the first Group 1 race. The Gold Cup, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes were then added.

There was no dress code until the 19th century, and it soon became one of the most famous fashion traditions in the world. In the Royal Enclosure, women were expected to wear formal dresses and hats, and the men top hats and tails.

The event is still attended by members of the royal family, as well as celebrities and high society figures but is also open to the general public, apart from access to the Royal Enclosure. 

In 2004, Ascot racecourse was closed for a £220 million redevelopment, the single biggest investment in British racing. The 2005 Royal Ascot meeting was therefore held at York racecourse. On 20 June 2006, Queen Elizabeth II reopened the racecourse with its 30m x 300m lightweight parasol roof structure of the grandstand. 

At the end of 2006, a £10 million programme of further alterations was announced to improve the viewing from lower levels of the grandstand using innovative steel. The racecourse is also home to Royal Ascot Cricket Club, which was founded in 1883. The club’s ground is situated in the middle of the racecourse. Ascot Utd FC is also located towards the eastern side of the site.

Royal Ascot top jockey focus

Frankie Dettori – Synonymous with Royal Ascot the flamboyant 52 year-old Italian has ridden no less than 73 winners, thus securing his place as one of the greatest jockeys in racing history.

His first Royal Ascot win came in 1990 when he rode Markofdistinction to victory in the Queen Anne Stakes. He followed that up with a win in the Gold Cup aboard Drum Taps in 1992, a race he has now won six times.

Perhaps his most famous Ascot moment – albeit not at the Royal meeting – came in 1996 when he rode all seven winners on the card (odds of 25,090 to 1) an amazing feat that has never been repeated. The achievement, which was dubbed ‘The Magnificent Seven,’ made headlines around the world and highlighted his status as a superstar jockey.

He has also won the King’s Stand Stakes six times, including three consecutive wins from 2003 to 2005; the St James’s Palace Stakes four times; the Prince of Wales’s Stakes three times and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes twice.

In 2019 he rode four winners on the first day of the event. He started the day with a win in the Queen Anne Stakes aboard ‘Mustachery’, followed by victories in the Coventry Stakes, the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Ascot Stakes.

Dettori’s success at Royal Ascot has been built not only on his incredible skill in the saddle but also by his ability to form strong partnerships with some of the best horses in the world. He has ridden many of the greatest horses of his generation, including Enable, Golden Horn, and Stradivarius. Despite being in the twilight of his career (he is due to retire in 2023) he remains one of the most talented jockeys in the world.

Ryan Moore also boasts an impressive record at Royal Ascot. Since his first appearance in 2006, he has won a total of 59 races. He has won many of the big races, including the Gold Cup, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Coronation Stakes. He has also won multiple races in the Group 1 category.

Moore’s notable victories at Royal Ascot include wins on Yeats in the Gold Cup in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He also won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Highland Reel in 2016, and the St James’s Palace Stakes on Gleneagles in the same year.

James Doyle – Since Doyle’s first appearance at Royal Ascot in 2012, he has won a total of 19 races. His victories include winning the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes twice, first on Solow in 2015 and then on the mare Lord Glitters in 2019.

In 2018, Doyle won four races, including the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes and Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

William Buick has won a total of 13 races since his first appearance in 2007. Buick’s victories include the Gold Cup on ‘Trip To Paris’ in 2015. He was also successful in the 2012 Coronation Stakes, the 2014 Prince of Wales’s Stakes followed by the 2017 Queen Anne Stakes. 2018 was particularly fruitful for Buick when he won four races, including the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes on Without Parole.