What Is Royal Ascot?

Royal Ascot is Britain's most famous Flat racing festival, held over five days each June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. Attended by the British Royal Family and attracting the world's best horses and jockeys, it features 36 races including eight at the highest Group 1 level.

The meeting combines sporting excellence with pageantry — the Royal Procession up the course each afternoon, the strict dress code in the Royal Enclosure, and a setting that is truly unique in British sport.

When Is Royal Ascot?

Royal Ascot takes place in the third week of June. In 2026, the meeting runs from Tuesday 16 June to Saturday 20 June.

The Key Races

Tuesday — Champion Day

  • Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) — Opening race, over one mile, for the best older milers
  • St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) — For three-year-old milers, often won by the Guineas generation

Wednesday

  • Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) — The middle-distance championship, often the most prestigious race of the week
  • Royal Hunt Cup — One of the most competitive handicaps of the season, raced over a mile

Thursday — Ladies Day

  • Gold Cup (Group 1) — Two and a half miles, the staying championship. Home of the famous crowd cry "Stradivarius!" in recent years
  • Coronation Stakes (Group 1) — Fillies' mile championship

Friday

  • Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) — Six-furlong sprint for three-year-olds
  • Coronation Cup... (Fillies Group 1 on fillies' and mares' day)

Saturday

  • Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) — Six-furlong sprint championship, the closing race of the meeting
  • Platinum Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) — Premier sprint over six furlongs for older horses

Royal Ascot Betting Tips

  1. Draw matters in sprints — On the straight course, low draws have a historical advantage in sprints, especially in large fields on fast ground.
  2. Pace is crucial in the Gold Cup — Staying races at Ascot often produce tactical affairs. A horse that races prominently can be favoured over a hold-up horse if the pace is slow.
  3. International raiders require scrutiny — Top horses travel from Ireland, France, the USA and Australia. Check their form is relevant and the ground suits.
  4. Three-year-olds are often underrated — In weight-for-age races, well-handicapped three-year-olds can outperform older rivals when in top form.
  5. The Royal Hunt Cup is a betting race — One of the week's most competitive handicaps, with big fields. Each-way value can be found at 12/1 or bigger.

How to Visit Royal Ascot

Ascot Racecourse is in Berkshire, 25 miles from London. Regular trains run from London Waterloo to Ascot station, from where it is a 10-minute walk to the course. Strict dress codes apply in the Royal Enclosure and the Queen Anne Enclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Group 1 races are at Royal Ascot?

There are eight Group 1 races at Royal Ascot, making it the most prestigious Flat meeting in Britain by number of top-level races.

Who is the most successful trainer at Royal Ascot?

Aidan O'Brien holds the record for most wins at Royal Ascot among modern trainers, regularly sending large teams from his Ballydoyle operation.

What is the dress code at Royal Ascot?

The Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code: formal day dress with a hat for women, morning dress and top hat for men. The Queen Anne Enclosure is slightly more relaxed but smart attire is required throughout.