Ascot Race Course

The Ascot Race Course is one of the most popular race courses around the world, and is used for racing thoroughbreds. One of the leading race courses of its kind in the United Kingdom, Ascot hosts 9 of the 32 annual Group 1 races in the country. It is associated closely to the British Royal Family.

Location: This English race course is internationally famous despite its location in the town of Ascot in Berkshire. It is at a distance of approximately 6 miles from the Windsor Castle and is owned by Crown Estate.

Features: Today, this race course hosts 25 days of races stretched over a year, with 16 Flat meetings in May and October alone. The Ascot Gold Cup held in June is the main highlight here. Apart from the race course, there are ballrooms for events and parties, like the upcoming Royal Ascot in 2010, and some high end restaurants. There is also a club for young race-goers.

History: Queen Anne founded the Ascot Race Course in the year 1711. 7 horses competed in the first race. Each one carried over 76 kilos. The race had 2 separate 4 mile heats. In 1813, an Act was passed by the parliament to make this race course a public one. In 1913, another Act was passed that led to the creation of the Ascot Authority. This is an entity managing the race course till this day. Till 1945, the Royal Meeting was the only race that was held there. This was a 4 day event. Following that year, many fixtures were introduced, of which the most notable is the Steeplechase and hurdles that came to be functional in 1965.

Feature Races:

  • Royal Ascot – This is the centrepiece of the racing calendar year at Ascot. The Royal Ascot is one of the most famous races in the world and dates all the way back to the year 1711. Press coverage is massive and at times, the attendees take more coverage than the race itself. With about 300,000 people in attendance, the Royal Ascot is the best attended of race meetings. 16 group races are held with at least 1 group event on each day. The prize money is over £3,000,000.
  • Flat races – Some major flat races include the Sagaro Stakes, Diadem Stakes, Cumberland Lodge Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Royal Lodge Stakes, Summer Mile Stakes, Fillies’ Mile and UAE President’s Cup etc.
  • National Hunt Races – Some races in this category include Victor Chandler Chase, Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase, Long Walk Hurdle and Ascot Chase.

Famous Racehorses: Born in 1917, Man O’ War was a racehorse who represented horseracing during the 1920’s. He was voted the greatest thoroughbred in the first half of 20th century. He won 20 of 21 races that he took part in and became a national hero when he retired after 16 months of racing. Phar Lap was born in 1927 and lived up to his name, which translates to ‘lightning’ in Thai. Seabiscuit was another legendary horse who also has a movie made after him. He was titled the Champion Male Handicap Horse.