The British Royal Family and huge sporting events have often gone hand in hand. Prince William is often seen at the football, famously watching on as England beat Germany by two goals to nil in the second round of UEFA Euro 2020. Prince Harry – or just Harry these days, we guess – is often seen cheering on his country at the Rugby World Cup. However, if there is one event that goes hand in hand with royalty, it is horse racing’s Royal Ascot.
The summertime showpiece is a beacon of tradition in the British sporting calendar, merging the thrill of thoroughbred horses with the grandeur of royal fashion. The annual June extravaganza isn’t just about the racing; it’s a celebration deeply entrenched in the culture of the UK, attended by royalty, celebrities, and racing enthusiasts alike. But what makes it so special?
Royal Roots
The inception of Royal Ascot dates back 314 years when it was founded by Queen Anne. She saw the potential for a racecourse at Ascot, which was then known as East Cote. The first race, “Her Majesty’s Plate,” with a purse of 100 guineas, was held on August 11, 1711. What began as a simple affair has transformed into a prestigious five-day event, drawing attendees from across the globe.
The event’s connection with the British Royal Family is one of its defining features. The Royal Procession, a tradition established by King George IV in 1825, marks the start of each race day. Spectators watch with anticipation as the royal family arrives in horse-drawn carriages, making their way from Windsor Castle to the course.
Recent Winners
Royal Ascot showcases some of the finest racing talents, from the horses and jockeys to the trainers. In recent years, the festival has seen remarkable performances that have etched names into the annals of racing history. The Queen Anne Stakes remains the festival’s curtain-raiser over three centuries on from its maiden race, which was won by 33/1 outsider Triple Time, setting the tone for what was to come. 25/1 long shot Villanova Queen won the Kensington Palace Stakes on day two, with the 22/1 underdog Jim Hendrix winning the Riyal Hunt Cup barely an hour later.
As the festival progressed the shocks kept rolling in. The 50/1 Witch Hunter won the Buckingham Palace Stakes, while an 80/1 Khaadem reigned supreme in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, a tribute to the late Monarch who sadly passed away just two months later. However, the shock of the century came early on day three as Valiant Force won the Norfolk Stakes at a whopping 150/1, the longest-priced horse to ever win a race at Royal Ascot.
Franke Dettori also enjoyed one final hurrah. The iconic Italian jockey has become a beloved figure in the world of British racing over the last three decades. Competing at the showpiece for the final time before retirement, he claimed a ninth victory in the Gold Cup on Courage Mon Ami before hanging up the saddle forever.
What Will Happen in 2024?
The 2024 edition of Royal Ascot promises to be as exciting as ever, with anticipation building for another spectacular showcase of horseracing excellence. The festival is scheduled to take place between the 18th and 22nd of June, running from Thursday to Sunday with eight races taking place each day.
One of the highlights as ever will undoubtedly be the Gold Cup, a Group 1 race that tests the stamina of the world’s best stayers. It will be the first time in a generation in which the aforementioned Dettori doesn’t feature and there are a number of the planet’s finest flat jockeys all gunning for his spot at the top of the mountain. The Aidan O’Brien-trained Kyprios has been made a 5/2 favorite by online horse racing odds, something that may come as somewhat of a surprise to onlookers. With Ryan Moore on board, the soon-to-be seven-year-old has been beaten in each of his last two races and is without a victory since October 22nd, 2022, when he romped to victory at Longchamp.
As such then, there are plenty of horses in the chasing pack that could upset the short-priced favorite. Vauban is currently a 7/1 second favorite, while the reigning champion Courage Mon Ami is further back at 8/1. The latter of those two however will be without his sparring partner in the form of Dettori, and it remains to be seen as to whether the new man on board Robert Havlin can lead him to glory once more.
The five-year-old was foaled by the legendary Frankel, a horse that simply did not know how to lose. The British thoroughbred stallion ran 14 times throughout his esteemed career, winning all of them. In fact, he was so dominant that for his last race in 2012, he was made a mightily short 2/11 favorite and romped to glory once more. His offspring will be aiming to do the same at Ascot this June.
