Royal Ascot
The Royal Ascot is one of Europe’s most famous race meetings. A race meeting that is rich in heritage dating back to 1711 when founded by Queen Anne, regularly drawing crowds of 300,000 with millions more on television.
This event is one of the biggest in the European racing calendar and is a British social spectacular matched only by the Investec Derby. For five days in June, Ascot Racecourse sets the scene for a show full of colour and excitement; from finely tuned thoroughbreds racing to victory on the track, to the array of fashions on the lawns.
The Royal Ascot is a glamorous 5 day event occurring in June each year consisting of 30 thoroughbred races; including the Gold Cup, the Royal Hunt Cup and The Queen’s Vase.
These three prestigious trophies are newly made each year allowing the victorious jockey’s to keep them after being presented to them by the Queen. The winners of the remaining 27 races are awarded with Challenge Trophies which must be returned after a year.
2011 sees the tercentenary of Ascot Racecourse with horses and jockeys arriving from throughout Europe and beyond. The 2009 Royal Meeting was a historic event and will always be remembered for one horse – The Mighty Yeats, now retired, completed an unprecedented fourtimer in the Gold Cup never tasting defeat at Ascot; with a special mention going to jockey Johnny Murtagh and trainer Barry Hills, whose three winners over the week were headlined by 1,000 Guineas winner Ghanaati’s victory in the Coronation Stakes.
2012: Channel 4 to host Grand National, Investec Derby Festival and Royal Ascot
Yesterday (Monday 19 March 2012) it was announced that Channel 4 are set to broadcast all terrestrial racing including the Grand National, Investec Derby Festival and Royal Ascot in a new four-year deal (from 2013). In managing to secure this broadcast, Channel 4 will ascertain rights and become the exclusive broadcaster of British racing on terrestrial television. Previously the BBC has displayed coverage which had lasted for over 50 years, however after trying to house as “competitive a bid as possible” the British Broadcasting Corporation lost the chance to maintain the rights. Speaking out against the change in channel’s BBC director of sport Barbara Slater noted that: “We are of course disappointed that we have lost the rights, but we are pleased that all the races in the contract remain free to air.” The Grand National … Read entire article »
Fascinators Banned At Royal Ascot 2012
Following on from changes that were announced yesterday, Royal Ascot racecourse has amended its current strict dress code to include a fascinator ban in the Royal Enclosure. Race goers will now have to wear hats instead of previous headwear they may have adorned last summer; even the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess or Cornwall, whom are both noted for her fondness of the aforementioned decorated head pieces, will now, we assume, also have to opt for … Read entire article »
Royal Ascot Dress Code In 2012
As the queen is set to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee this summer, marking 60 years in reign, she will of course attend a list of high profile meets and events which will include her usual appearance at the Investec Epsom Derby and Ascot horse racing events in June. Therefore with this in mind and due to the world-wide publicity on the Olympic games these aforementioned companies have noted that this year dress codes at the annual … Read entire article »
How To Wear A Hat – Louis Mariette’s Top Tips
As the summer season approaches, the social calendar is bombarded with more events than you can shake a stick at. At WhatBestToWear, Wimbledon, Ascot and the Investec Derby are the highlights of our summer social calendar. Getting dressed up for these summer functions is all part of the fun and looking glamorous will ensure you are feeling fabulous throughout the day. Finding the right dress to wear is one challenge to any special occasion but finding the right … Read entire article »
Royal Ascot 2011 Summary
Waiting for the train at Waterloo Station to Ascot, there were hoards of ladies and gentlemen wearing top hat and tails and pretty dresses with fascinators, buying tickets, tipples and food for the journey; meanwhile tourists stood around gawping at the spectacle of seeing so many people prancing around in their glad rags. For any that didn’t know about Royal Ascot they may have been bemused as to why there were this many dressed up … Read entire article »
Royal Ascot Fashion 2011: Day 4 and Day 5
As Royal Ascot 2011 came to a close many could be forgiven for wearing wellies to the races because of the heavy rain making infrequent bursts every so often. However many women didn’t give into Mother Nature and so opted for heels and party dresses for one of the biggest racing occasions of the summer. The Queen looked her usual pastel coloured self in a pale yellow jacket and hat on day four and a sky … Read entire article »
Royal Ascot Fashion: Day 3
On the third day of the Ascot celebrations, it was a very wet Ladies Day. Female racegoers flocked to the annual horse racing event with heels, fascinators and dresses aplenty, in pure defiance of the downpours all around. No amount of drizzle can stop these ladies or the celebrities spilling out onto Ascot racecourse for the prestigious event, including Carole Middleton, who arrived in a carriage as part of the royal procession. Dressed in a nude skirt … Read entire article »
International Horse Racing Events
With Cheltenham Festival over in March, the Grand National in April, the Investec Derby last week, Royal Ascot happening this week and Glorious Goodwood next month, it seems that many of the big summer races where spectators have an excuse to dress up are coming to a close. So for any people that have missed out on a chance to attend the British races this summer, here are some other international races that you can attend … Read entire article »
Royal Ascot Fashion 2011: Day 2
On the second day of racing at Ascot 2011 the Queen arrived as is the usual procedure at 2pm during the royal procession wearing a white jacket and pale pink hat. Sophie countess of Wessex opted for a royal blue dress and black shoes, blazer jacket and clutch bag. She wore a blue fascinator with peacock feathers attached which seem to be a very big trend at the races this season. Classical singer Katherine Jenkins was in … Read entire article »
Royal Ascot Fashion 2011: Day 1
Royal Ascot 2011 kicked off yesterday and along with the racing comes fashion, as celebrities, royals and race goers dressed in their finery for the first day of the five day annual racing event. As is the customary procedure at Ascot, the Queen looked her usual well put together and colour coordinated self when she arrived for the royal procession. This time round Queen Elizabeth wore a mint green number. Her jacket matched her hat with just … Read entire article »
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