Ascot Racecourse: The Racecourse of the Royals!

Ascot Racecourse is a horse racecourse located in the village of Ascot, Berkshire, England that's used for thoroughbred horse racing. Ascot Racecourse has a lofty place amongst the leading racecourses in the UK as it is closely associated with the British Royal Family. Ascot Racecourse is owned by the Crown Estate and is located approximately six miles from Windsor Castle.

Ascot Racecourse has two courses: the Flat Course and the National Hunt Course.

The Ascot Racecourse Flat Course is a right-handed triangle galloping course. It is stiff with few undulations. The course is just over 1 mile and 6 furlongs round, with 2½ furlong run-in. The course has a straight mile and a round mile. All races up to 7 furlongs on straight course.

The Ascot Racecourse National Hunt Course is right-handed, galloping course, with stiff fences. The circuit is 1 mile and 5 furlongs. It runs mostly uphill which provides a good test of stamina and jumping ability.

Ascot Racecourse stages top quality flat and jump racing throughout the year. Ascot Racecourse holds about 25 racing days over the course of the year. Of these, sixteen are devoted to flat races held between May and October.

In fact, Ascot Racecourse hosts 9 of the UK 's 31 annual Group 1 races, the same number as Newmarket.

Among the major races at Ascot Racecourse are:

• Coventry Stakes
• King's Stand Stakes
• St. James's Palace Stakes - Group 1
• Queen Anne Stakes - Group 1
• Prince of Wales's Stakes - Group 1
• Royal Hunt Cup
• Queen Mary Stakes
• Ascot Gold Cup - Group 1
• King Edward VII Stakes
• Coronation Stakes - Group 1
• Golden Jubilee Stakes - Group 1
• Queen Alexandra Stakes
• Long Walk Hurdle - National Hunt
• Victor Chandler Chase - National Hunt
• Ascot Chase - National Hunt
• Reynoldstown Novices' Chase - National Hunt

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The main highlight of Ascot Racecourse's calendar is the Royal Ascot week in June, which combines tradition, pageantry, style and fashion with five days of the greatest horse racing in the world. The Ascot Gold Cup is the apex of Royal Meeting. The most prestigious race is the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes typically run in July. The royal family attend the Royal Ascot meeting at Ascot Racecourse. It is a major event in the British social calendar. The Royal Enclosure has a strict dress code--male attendees must wear full morning dress including a top hat, whilst ladies must not show bare midriffs or shoulders and must wear hats.

Ascot Racecourse attracts over 300,000 people during Royal Ascot Week. This makes it the best-attended horse racing meeting in Europe.

Ascot Racecourse History

• Ascot Racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne. On August 11, 1711, the first race called "Her Majesty's Plate," was held at Ascot Racecourse. Seven horses competed, each carrying a weight of 12 stones (76 kg). This first race comprised three separate four-mile (6437 m) heats.

• In 1813, Parliament passed an act to ensure that the Ascot Racecourse grounds would remain a public racecourse.

• In 1913, Parliament passed an act creating the Ascot Authority, an entity that manages the racecourse to this day.

• From its creation until 1945, the only racing that took place at Ascot Racecourse was the Royal Meeting, a four-day event.

• In 1965, the Steeplechase and hurdles were introduced.