The main event of the Ascot year is Royal Ascot, one of the most famous races in the world. Royal Ascot is a traditional royal horse race in England. They were founded by Queen Anne Steward back in 1711 and since then the royal family, headed by the queen herself, has been present at them. The ancient town of Ascot is located near Windsor. Queen Anne spotted a vacant lot during a walk, which she decided to develop as a place for horse racing. So they have existed for 300 years.
Horse racing has always been one of Britain's oldest traditions. It is a major event on the British social calendar, and press coverage of the visitors and what they are wearing often exceeds coverage of the actual races. At Ascot they take place over 5 days in the third week of June and the prize fund last year was £4 million. Only purebred riding horses are allowed to compete.
A total of eighteen Group races are held over 5 days. The first race each day starts at 14:30 and the last race at 17:35. Racers are then invited to celebrate their winnings. Horse racing is held annually in the summer in July for the Ascot Gold Cup, which is played on Thursday or on the fifth day of the race - Lady's Day. The races open with the ceremonial appearance of the royal carriage. When the Queen appears on the podium, the guests of the holiday in a single impulse loudly greet her. is obliged to lead the races every day and Elizabeth II, a passionate fan, has not missed a single competition since she visited them for the first time in 1945, as a 19-year-old princess.
Since then, Elizabeth 2 always bets on one horse. In addition, he exhibits horses from his royal stables. The Queen owned 20 winners. IN last time the winner was Free Agen, who won the Chesham Stakes in June 2008. Bets are even accepted on the color of the royal outfit, as it is different every day. Horse racing has always been considered entertainment for the rich and titled. And today, little has changed. Royal Ascot is the most important event of the year of social life in Great Britain and more than 300 thousand ladies and gentlemen come here for the whole week. Famous guests come from many countries around the world, as well as from Britain itself.
This most famous ancient competition attracts not only sports fans, but also big fans of elegant dresses, high heels and, of course, simply stunning hats. Royal Ascot is considered the most stylish event of its kind. The dress code is the strictest here. Outfits need to be updated daily, and what could be more pleasant for women! Even in rainy weather, all ladies must wear elegant dresses and heels, which they do with great pleasure. Shoulders must be covered and skirt length must not be shorter than 2 inches above the knee. Men must wear top hats.
The first day of the races has long been a secret fashion show of ladies' outfits, sometimes too exotic. Every new day of racing, ladies are supposed to wear a new hat. On average, a racing hat costs about $3,000. But this does not bother active fashionistas, because the famous horse races are not only a competition of racehorses, but also a secret fashion show of the most unusual ladies' hats. You'll find all sorts of hats here! From the subtly elegant to the downright comic. Simply breathtaking!
The most famous equestrian competitions in the world invariably become the main event in British social life.
In mid-June, the legendary Royal Ascot race starts at Ascot Racecourse in the ceremonial county of Berkshire, which is attended by about 500,000 people, including the monarch and senior dignitaries of Great Britain, as well as invited representatives of the highest aristocratic families from around the world. The competition, with a prize fund of over £3.5 million, has been held over several days since 1807.
The most recognizable feature of the Royal Ascot races is the strict dress code for all distinguished guests of the competition. Gentlemen are instructed to wear classic black or gray “business card” tailcoats with a slightly lighter-toned vest with buttons, a white shirt, gray pinstripe trousers and tall top hats in the fashion of the late 19th century. All ladies invited to the Royal Box should wear hats, cover their shoulders and wear skirts that are at least 2 inches above the knees. On each of the five days of the racing week, a lady is supposed to wear a new hat, and the most extravagant of them is on Thursday. An exception to the clear rules is made only for civil servants - they can wear a uniform - and invited foreigners, who can come to the Royal Box on national clothes.
The Royal Ascot main event falls on the third day of the event (usually a Thursday). On what is known as "Ladies Day", spectators appear in their finest outfits to greet the Queen of Britain, who traditionally arrives at the stadium at the head of a luxurious procession of carriages. The culmination of the social and sports festival is the ceremony of presenting the winner with the prestigious Golden Cup prize.
Royal Ascot tickets start from £21. The most expensive tickets are sold for the “fashion show” on Ladies Day.
The most convenient way to get to Ascot is by train from London. The trip takes only 1 hour.
Photo: For many visitors, the Royal Ascot races are a reason to have a lot of fun.
Ahead of one of the biggest events in Britain's social calendar, milliners are working tirelessly in the hope of turning a profit for the year. English fashionistas prepare the best outfits, and bookmakers accept record number rates. As you probably understand, we are talking about Royal Ascot - the most popular and visited horse race in Europe. In 2018 they will be held from June 19 to 23, and prize fund will be more than six million pounds.
But the Royal Horse Races attract not only equestrian enthusiasts. This is one of the few opportunities to see members royal family, with pleasure attending this event in almost in full force. The royal family arrives at Royal Ascot in open carriages accompanied by a horse-drawn procession. From year to year, gambling Englishmen place bets, trying to guess the color of Elizabeth II’s hat and outfit.
Pictured: the royal family at Royal Ascot. Photo: harpersbazaar.com
Of course, passions also run high around the outfits of the princes’ spouses and the queen’s granddaughters. This year, the press will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Kate Middleton, because the races will be one of her first exits after her recent birth, as well as the appearance of Meghan Markle, already in the official status of the wife of Prince Harry.
But since horse racing, even such as Royal Ascot, is, first of all, an equestrian competition, great attention is paid to the horses. They are carefully prepared for competitions the whole team specialists. You can take a look at the thoroughbred horses immediately before the race, when they go out for a fifteen-minute warm-up.
Many aristocrats, including Elizabeth II herself, enter their own horses in the races. Overseas horses also take part in the races.
In the hope that their favorite will win, many visitors place large bets. Professionals differ from amateurs in that, before placing a bet, they carefully study the pedigrees and history of races, thereby turning gambling into a whole science. Amateurs place bets at random, hoping to hit the mark by betting on a horse with the number or name they like. By the way, there is no minimum bet amount on horse racing, so anyone can take a chance.
Races at Royal Ascot
In the photo: Royal Ascot hosts 6 races a day. Photo thesun.co.uk
Every day at Royal Ascot there are six races, each of which has its own name, rules and restrictions for participants. The most prestigious races are the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, Diamond Jubilee Stakes and Gold Cup. Horses over 4 years old are allowed to participate in them, and the prize fund in recent years has exceeded half a million pounds in each.
In addition, the races have races for two-year-old horses and three-year-old horses, as well as general or separate competitions for mares and stallions. The victory of a horse in any competition at Royal Ascot is very prestigious for its owner.
Boxes at Royal Ascot
In the photo: some visitors to the Royal Ascot races take the choice of outfits very seriously. Photo dailymail.co.uk
You can watch the competitions from three boxes, each of which has its own specifics. The most democratic lodge is called Windsor Enclosure. Tickets can be purchased for £37. There is no strict dress code, but guests are encouraged to “dress for the occasion.” So, if you want to go to the races without spending money on an outfit, then take tickets to this box.
The view from any box is equally good: you can see both the competitions themselves and the solemn arrival of the royal procession. But be prepared for the Windsor Lodge to be packed. The very atmosphere of the holiday invites you to surrender yourself completely to it - the Internet and newspapers are then full of photographs of drunken ladies sleeping on the grass in various degrees of rumpled clothes.
So, if you want a relaxing holiday, choose the more prestigious and expensive Queen Anne Enclosure. A ticket to it costs from £75, and, in addition, you will have to comply with a not too strict dress code: ladies must wear hats, and gentlemen must wear suits and ties.
And finally, the most prestigious at Royal Ascot is the Royal Box, which can only be entered by special invitation. All lodge visitors must purchase special badges, which start from £120 per day. You are also required to comply with a strict dress code, the requirements of which are updated quite often. This year, ladies are required to arrive at the races in hats with a base diameter of at least 10 centimeters. Dresses must cover the knees, have a modest neckline, and shoulder straps that are at least 1 inch wide. Pantsuits with matching tops and bottoms, as well as ankle-length jumpsuits, are acceptable. “Outlaw” are tops and dresses with dropped shoulders or ties at the neck, deep necklines, fascinator hats and any clothing that exposes the midriff.
Requirements for men's suit are also very strict: guests of the Royal Box will need a “full morning suit”, including a specially cut frock coat, tie, vest, top hat, closed shoes and socks. Gentlemen are offered only two colors to choose from: black and gray. So, everything is really extremely strict and formal. Those who made a mistake in choosing a costume can be helped by a special assistant who will sell the missing items right at the entrance.
Which race day should I choose?
In the photo: not only horses, but also ladies compete at Royal Ascot: the winner of the best hat is announced by the queen. Photo dailymail.co.uk
Since the races last for 5 whole days, a reasonable question arises, which one to choose so as not to miss the most interesting thing. First of all, you should pay attention to the racing program and the races that interest you. If the reason for your visit to Royal Ascot is simply to have fun and watch how high society relaxes, we recommend coming on Thursday, the so-called Ladies Day. It is on June 21 that all the British nobility will gather at Ascot, and the ladies will compete in the extravagance of their hats. The winner, according to tradition, will be named by the queen herself. It is also on this day that the Golden Cup, one of the most prestigious races, takes place.
Since Royal Ascot is a social event, originally conceived as an occasion for meetings of the aristocracy in a very informal setting, accompanying entertainment plays an important role in its organization. Ascot has a large selection of restaurants, all with wonderful views of the horse track. You can also reserve a spot for a picnic or afternoon tea, for example. Most often, the price of such things does not include admission to the races, so be careful when booking.
However, it is not forbidden to bring your own food and even one bottle of sparkling wine for each adult to the lodge. Many people do just that, having picnics on the grass.
How to get to Royal Ascot
If you plan to travel to Royal Ascot by car, we recommend that you reserve a parking space in advance. This is especially true for those who come by minibuses and limousines. Parking for a regular car will cost at least £35 per day, while limousine owners will have to fork out £180 per day. For those who are planning to relax and get drunk, it makes sense to choose public transport: Ascot is served by trains from Reading, Guildford and London Waterloo Station. Luckily the train station is just a seven minute walk from the racecourse.
This year the Royal Ascot races will take place from June 19-23. Royal Ascot is one of the most popular events in the so-called "social season". The term is taken from the use of British aristocrats. Traditionally, during the summer they organize a series of events designed to have a good time and get the children married. The holiday becomes especially prestigious if the queen or members of the royal family are present. The Ascot race is a great chance to see her with your own eyes and bet on the color of her hat.
How does Ascot work?
The spectator part of the racecourse at Ascot, to describe it very simply, consists of four parts. In the main one, which is located at the entrance, people buy food, champagne and place bets. This is a trading zone and everyone can enter it.
After purchasing, spectators with tickets go to their seats. There are three “lodges”: democratic, middle and royal. Tickets to the Royal Palace are not sold; admission is by invitation.
That is, if you want to buy a ticket to the royal races at Ascot, you simply choose from two zones, which in English are called “enclosures”.
Which ticket should I choose?
The purchase is simple. And although there are many accommodation options on the site, in fact, their most important difference is that some are cheaper, while others are more expensive.
"Windsor Enclosure" is the most economical stock. Tickets here cost £44 per person and you only pay for entry. Food and drinks are available for you in the common area at the entrance. This is the most popular site and usually all the photos of British “ladies” very drunk in hats with their skirts pulled up on the grass are from here. There are always a lot of people here and they are having fun. Suitable for those who not only tolerate such an atmosphere, but even love it.
"Queen Anne Enclosure" - middle stock. There are fewer people here, and tickets cost £84, also just for entry. Here you pay for the opportunity to breathe more freely and not feel like you’re on the subway. Suitable for those who love peace and quiet.
Let us remind you that tickets are not sold to the royal zone. But the races themselves are approximately equally visible from all three sites.
There is also an additional type of ticket - "Village Enclosure". Roughly speaking, this is for those who did not have enough tickets. There are screens with broadcasts here. You won't see anything live.
What day should I go?
All days are the same. Except for one thing. June 21 - "Ladies Day". This is the day when all the British nobles come to the races. There are more people, the hats are brighter and more extravagant, the queues are longer and the concentration of fun is at its limit.
Do you like this? Get tickets for the 21st. If you want to pose quietly for three hours, you can do it at some other time.
Do you need coupons and discounts?
Tickets combined with different types of offers and "discounts" at Ascot are likely to ruin your day. A huge event, thousands of people, this automatically means that even with a pre-paid lunch included in your ticket, you can easily spoil your nerves when something goes wrong. Find your bearings on the spot. Then the price will correspond to the quality.
How to get there?
By car or train. You have to pay to park at Ascot. But it is there and quite convenient. It is worth considering that there is one road leading to Ascot and on the days of the royal races everyone travels along it. That is, there will be traffic jams.
Trains to Ascot from London Waterloo station depart very frequently and arrive at a point which is a two-minute walk from the racecourse entrance. Considering the traffic, this is a very convenient way to get to the event. Train tickets can be bought directly at the station from a machine. Naturally, it is better to take it there and back.
Should I bring food for a picnic?
Many take sandwiches and champagne with them and start celebrating on the train. Those who come by car often start this activity right in the park parking lot. Sit down under a tree and feel free to start the pre-party.
If you want to take your mother’s pies with you, take them! And wash it down with champagne on the way! Everyone does it!
In addition, these days the rules on the territory of the hippodrome are very humane. You can bring food, blankets and one bottle of champagne per adult.
What's the dress code?
Since the Queen is present at the event, there is a specific dress code. And lately they have been updated frequently.
An updated style guide has been released for the royal races Royal Ascot 2018. This year, the list of prohibited outfits for ladies included “bardot tops” and facinator hats.
The “Bardot top” got its name thanks to the Frenchwoman Brigitte Bardot, who very often wore blouses, dresses and sweaters with dropped shoulders. Bare shoulders were part of the actress' signature look. Subsequently, this model of things became known as the “bardo top” and is still very popular.
The facinator is no longer a veil, but not yet a hat. This is a women's headdress, as a rule, decorated with beads, feathers, flowers, and fragments of the veil are also present. At Royal Ascot, ladies' fantasy in this type of accessories often took on the most bizarre forms.
Last year, Royal Ascot organizers allowed women's one-piece jumpsuits. This year the permit was not canceled, but the length of the trouser part must be up to the ankles.
For men, the only acceptable headdress would be an all-gray or black top hat. The style guide requires men to wear socks.
For ladies:
- Dresses and skirts should be slightly above the knee or longer;
- Straps and straps on dresses and tops must be 2.54 cm or wider;
- You can wear a jacket or a shawl or stole on top, but the dresses and tops underneath should still match the style guide;
- In trouser suits, the top and bottom should match in color. The lower part should be ankle-length;
- The trouser part of jumpsuits should be ankle length. And the top one must comply with the regulations for dresses and tops regarding straps;
- Ladies must wear hats. As an alternative, hats with a solid base 10 cm or more in diameter are acceptable;
- Tops, dresses, jumpsuits without straps, with dropped shoulders, with ribbons or tied at the neck are prohibited;
- The waist and stomach should be covered;
- Fascination hats and hats without a solid base that do not cover 10 cm of the head are not permitted.
- Vest and tie (not a neckerchief or scarf);
- Black or gray cylinder;
- Black shoes must have socks.
How to bet on a horse?
Nothing special is required. You need to choose a horse, stand in line at the desired kiosk, name the horse’s name and bet as much as you like. Bets start from just a few pounds, so you can easily allocate £10 of your budget for 10 bets and try to win! Betting kiosks are located everywhere.
See the queen and lords
There is a small lawn in the general trading area. Right in the middle, impossible to miss. It is fenced and you cannot go there without a special invitation. But this is where the Queen and her family arrive between 11am and 2pm. If you take a place at the fence near the lawn in advance, you can see the queen and wave to her.
How to bet on the queen's hat?
Before the queen arrives, everyone tries to guess the color of her hat. In the same stalls where they bet on horses, you can leave a couple of pounds and your guess. Will the queen wear a yellow headdress or a pink one? Or maybe she's in a purple mood?
From experience: if you point your finger at the sky, then guessing the horse that will win the race is easier than guessing the color of Elizabeth II’s hat. So you don’t have to specifically follow fashion. The queen always has her own opinion. Focus on the horses.
