Ascot Racedays in May
11th May Race, Rattle 'N' Roll (Evening)
A new and exciting evening of racing and live music
The only evening racing hosted at Ascot.
Entertainment Highlights:
Get ready to Race, Rattle ‘n’ Roll at Ascot this spring as we invite you to rock around the racecourse with our 1950s inspired racenight.
The racecourse’s only evening meeting will take place on Friday 11th May where the retro atmosphere will be electric with 1950s dress welcome. The Grandstand will be transformed into a chic American diner set to a backdrop of classic Cadillacs, ice cream sundaes and roller-girls who will be giving away free Buddy Holly glasses. Toe tapping jive music will play live in the Grandstand after racing with ‘guys and dolls’ on hand to show you how it’s done.
This is racing with a twist, the perfect excuse to get together with friends, family or colleagues. Gates open at 3pm and live music will take place on the Bandstand between races. The fun will then continue for an hour after racing with live music from Jivin' Miss Daisy in the Grandstand and across the dance floor, so don't forget your dancing shoes.
As an added bonus, we’ll be giving out FREE Sunset Boulevard cocktails on arrival for all racegoers (must be aged 18 or over).
Please note all entertainment takes place within the Grandstand Admission area so all racegoers can enjoy the 1950s vibe.
12th May Race, Rattle 'N' Roll
Featuring The Betfred Victoria Cup Race
Victoria Cup Raceday features the seven furlong sprint The Betfred Victoria Cup Race; this race usually has bearing on the Royal Meeting as it is often used as the launch pad to the Royal Hunt Cup (held on Wednesday 20th June). Also on this Flat racing card is the Listed John Doyle Buckhounds Stakes.
Entertainment Highlights:
Get ready to race, rattle ‘n’ roll at Ascot this spring as we invite you to rock around the racecourse with our 1950s inspired raceday where the retro atmosphere will be electric with 1950s dress welcome.
The Grandstand will be transformed into a chic American diner set to a backdrop of classic Cadillacs, ice cream sundaes and roller-girls who will be giving away free Buddy Holly glasses. The fun will then continue for an hour after racing with live music from Jivin' Miss Daisy in the Grandstand and across the dance floor, so don't forget your dancing shoes.
The highlight of the afternoon will be The Betfred Victoria Cup, a seven furlong sprint. This race usually has bearing on the Royal Meeting as it is often used as the launch pad to the Royal Hunt Cup (held on Wednesday 20th June). Also on this Flat racing card is the Listed John Doyle Buckhounds Stakes and the Bovis Homes Fillies Handicap Stakes.
Gates open at 11am and live music will take place on the bandstand between races. Please note all entertainment takes place within the Grandstand Admission area so all racegoers can enjoy the vibe.
Ascot Racecourse
There are few sporting venues that can match the rich heritage and history of Ascot Racecourse.
Ascot is the UK’s Premier Racecourse. Following a major redevelopment programme, the racecourse reopened in June 2006. Share in the excitement of the magnificent new state-of-the-art grandstand as it brings racing into the 21st century and provides every racegoer with an unforgettable customer experience.
As well as a world class racing the venue is a business & events arena with everything from conferences to weddings and bookings can be made today. Go racing at Ascot! Whether you are looking for a sporting or social day out, Ascot has a wonderful atmosphere for all to enjoy. With advance booking discounts, free parking at most race meetings and free admission for all children aged 16 and under, a day at Ascot is unbeatable value for everyone.
Ascot hosts some of the highlights of the flat season, including Royal Ascot, the pinnacle of the flat racing at international level and the most famous race meeting in the world. Other highlights include The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in mid July, the best race and highest rated race in the UK and one of the top races in the world and The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in late September, the top mile race in the Europe.
As well as top quality racing, we have five family days each year where we provide dedicated children’s entertainment with everything from live concerts on a relaxed summer evening to jugglers and face painters.
Planning Your Day
Where to Watch the Horses During the Day
Pre Parade Ring
The first sight of the horses is at the Pre-Parade Ring where the horses are walked around by their handler prior to saddling. This gives an opportunity to see the horse before he comes into the main ring and before he is saddled. After a few laps of the ring the horse will be led away to be kitted out for the Parade Ring.
Parade Ring
This is where you have the best sight of the horses before the race and where many racegoers make their selections. The horses will be lead into the Parade Ring to be warmed up and looked over by the vet. This also acts as an opportunity for the Jockey’s after being weighed in to have a final word with the trainer about the race ahead. Once the bell is rung Jockeys mount the horse and make their way to the track where the horse will be loaded into the starting stalls.
Racing Action
At Ascot there are two admission areas in which to watch the race. The Premier admission area overlooks the whole course and gives the racegoers access to seating on level 4 of the grandstand and standing room opposite the winning post on the front lawns. Grandstand admission offers a closer view on the concourse level. This area has a great view of the straight mile leading up to the finish.
Winner's Enclosure
After the race head to the winners enclosure for the presentation. The first 4 placed horses return to the Parade Ring which now becomes the Winners Enclosure. Each jockey will then remove the saddle and be weighed back in, making sure they have not lost a lot of weight consequently gaining an advantage. Once the buzzer is sounded the result is finalised. You can then wait to see the Trophy presentation to the owner, trainer and jockey.
Racing Made Simple!
Going racing for the first time maybe daunting so Ascot have put together a few pointers on how we think you will get the most out of your day at Ascot, including information on placing bets, picking the winner, cash machines and entertainment.
Where to Eat
There are a large number of food outlets along the Concourse Level of the Grandstand where there is something for everyone, from sandwiches to hot food including a noodle bar, grill, fish & chips and Afternoon Tea. If you are interested in a sit down option for dinner you can visit The Horsewalk Restaurant, located in the Grandstand on the Fourth Floor, open to Premier Admission racegoers only. The Ascot Grill located outside the glazing line at Core 1 - £32.50pp for two courses and £41.50pp for three courses. The Bandstand Restaurant is located between Core 3 and core 4 on the Bandstand Lawn. A self-service, non bookable restaurant, with main courses priced from £8.50. Alternatively, you might like to take a picnic!
Ascot Hospitality offers award winning cuisine and elegant service of a supreme class, designed to meet the expectations of Ascot's discerning clientele. There are a wide range of carefully tailored packages with different styles of service designed to suit all tastes from £106.00 per person.
Royal Ascot
19th - 23rd June 2012
Over the past 300 years Royal Ascot has established itself as a national institution and the centrepiece of the British social calendar as well as being the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world. The first race meeting ever held at Ascot took place on Saturday 11 August 1711.
The precise origin of the Royal Meeting is unclear, it was an event that evolved perhaps, rather than was introduced at a specific time but the first four day meeting took place in 1768. Arguably, the meeting as we know it today started to take shape with the introduction of the Gold Cup in 1807.
Royal Ascot was the only race meeting held at Ascot until 1939. Gold Cup day remains the feature race of the third day of Royal Ascot and is traditionally the busiest day of the week. It is colloquially known as “Ladies’ Day” as, in the formative years, it was the dominant day in terms of the racing, attracting the largest crowds and, it must be assumed from the emergence of the term “Ladies’ Day,” more ladies!
Her Majesty has had 19 Royal Ascot winners to date, with her most successful races being the Royal Hunt Cup and Ribblesdale Stakes, contests she has won three times.
Restaurants & Boxes at Royal Ascot
The Waterside Inn at the Panoramic
Ascot is delighted to welcome the culinary legends Michel and Alain Roux to Royal Ascot this year. The father and son team will take over the Panoramic Restaurant, bringing a taste of the Michelin starred Waterside Inn, to the most ardent restaurant connoisseur. Situated at the very top of the Grandstand, the Panoramic Restaurant commands beautiful far-reaching views overlooking the Racecourse and Windsor Great Park beyond. The Roux's will create a gastronomic treat that will equal the world class racing on display on the track beneath.
Boujis Trackside
London's award winning exclusive nightspot Boujis will recreate their boutique lounge and club in a luxury marquee during the five days of the Royal Meeting. The specially commissioned 'Boujis Trackside' will feature a private balcony of over 40 meters providing fantastic head-on views of the racing action. Inside guests can enjoy a fine dining experience as well as a uniquely designed bar, delivering the finest cocktails and champagne throughout the day. The 'Boujis Trackside' marquee offers a variety of packages all week, including full hospitality with a superb five course luncheon complemented with carefully selected fine wine; an opulent day lounge package including admission to the Racecourse and use of the lounge and bar area throughout the day; and on Friday 18th June and Saturday 19th June after racing party tickets. In Boujis Trackside you may book as either a table of 10, or for smaller groups, a shared table. There are only a limited number of Boujis lounge packages available each day. For more information on the day packages please call 0870 727 4321.
For more information about other dining experiences at this year's Royal Ascot including Trackside Restaurants, Parade Ring Side Restaurants, Private Boxes and Dining Rooms, the Royal Ascot Fashion Show and the Boujis After Racing Party please click here.
More About Royal Ascot
To find out more about Royal Ascot including Buying Tickets, Dress Code, the Royal Enclosure, Group Bookings, Travel, Parking and the Owners & Trainers
please click here
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