Ascott horse racing course events and racecourse contact details

Royal Ascot

Coventry Stakes
The Coventry Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. It was first run in 1890 and was named after George Coventry, 9th Earl of Coventry, who was Master of the Buckhounds between 1886 and 1892. The race was upgraded to Group 2 status in 2004, having been previously contested at Group 3 level.

King's Stand Stakes
The King's Stand Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. Initially named the Stand Plate in 1837, the race went on to be called the Royal Stand Plate and the Queen's Plate before taking its present name in 1901. It is presently the third leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, preceded by the Australia Stakes and followed by the Golden Jubilee Stakes. It gained Group 1 status for a second time in 2008, having previously been classed at this level from 1973 until downgrading to Group 2 in 1988.

St. James's Palace Stakes
The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. It was first run in 1834 and is named after St. James's Palace, the Royal residence of the Tudor period. The race attained Group 1 status in 1988.

Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. First run in 1840 as the Trial Stakes, the name was changed in 1930 to commemorate Queen Anne, the monarch who established racing at Ascot in 1711. With the introduction of the Pattern system in 1971 the race was given Group 3 status, which was upgraded to Group 2 in 1984, and to Group 1 in 2003.

Jersey Stakes
The Jersey Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Ascot Racecourse at the Royal meeting in June. It was first run in 1919, replacing the second leg of the Triennial Stakes, and is named after the 4th Earl of Jersey, who was Master of the Buckhounds in 1782-83. The race is for horses which have not yet won at Group 1 or Group 2 level.

Windsor Forest Stakes
The Windsor Forest Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. The race was introduced in 2004 as an incentive to keep more leading fillies in training beyond the age of three.

Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. It was first run in 1862 and named in honour of the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Edward (later King Edward VII). The original distance was 1 mile 5 furlongs (2,615 metres), and the race was open to three-year-olds and above. Early winners included Iroquois, Ard Patrick and Bayardo. The race was absent from Royal Ascot in the period following World War II (when there was no Prince of Wales), and re-emerged with its present shortened distance in 1968, a year before Prince Charles' investiture in 1969. It attained Group 1 status in 2000, at which point three-year-olds were excluded from the race.

Royal Hunt Cup
The Royal Hunt Cup is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal meeting in June. First run in 1843, it is a handicap race which is usually contested by a large field, with the maximum number of runners presently set at 30. Prior to to 1930 it was run over a distance of 7 furlongs 166 yards, and between 1930 and 1955 over 7 furlongs 155 yards. The trophy is one of three at Royal Ascot traditionally presented by the Queen, along with the Gold Cup and the Queen's Vase. Unlike other trophies at the meeting which must be returned annually, these three are re-made each year for the winning owners to keep permanently.

Queen Mary Stakes
The Queen Mary Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. It was first run in 1921 and is named after Queen Mary, Queen consort of King George V. The race was upgraded to Group 2 status in 2004, having been previously run at Group 3 level.

Norfolk Stakes
The Norfolk Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. It was first run in 1843 as the New Stakes and was re-named in 1973 in honour of the 16th Duke of Norfolk, Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot from 1945 to 1972. The race was promoted to Group 2 status in 2006, having been previously run at Group 3 level.

Ribblesdale Stakes
The Ribblesdale Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. It first took place in 1919 and was initially open to three and four-year-old fillies and run over a distance of 1 mile. It was named in honour of Thomas Lister, 4th Baron Ribblesdale, who was Master of the Buckhounds from 1892 to 1895. Presently the race often includes fillies which ran in the Epsom Oaks two weeks earlier, and some participants may later appear in the Irish Oaks.

Ascot Gold Cup
The Ascot Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 2 miles 4 furlongs (4,023 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in June. First run in 1807, the Gold Cup is traditionally held on Ladies' Day (day three) at Royal Ascot and is the feature event of the five-day racing festival. Sagaro won the race three times in a row and there have been a number of two-time winners including Touchstone, Le Moss, Ardross, Prince Palatine and Kayf Tara. Renowned jockey Lester Piggott won the race eleven times. Together with the 2 miles 2 furlongs (3,219 m) Doncaster Cup and 2 miles (3,219 metres) Goodwood Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup is part of Britain's Stayers' Triple Crown for horses capable of running longer distances. Only six horses have ever swept the series; Le Moss is the only horse to do it twice. When Royal Ascot was temporarily moved to York Racecourse in 2005, the course had to be modified to allow the Gold Cup and other long distance races to be possible. In 1970 Rosemary Lomax became the first woman trainer to ever win the Ascot Gold Cup. Lester Piggott earned the first of his eleven wins when he captured the 1957 race aboard Zarathustra.

Albany Stakes
The Albany Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Ascot Racecourse at the Royal meeting in June.It was first run in 2002 and was initially classed as a Listed race, upgrading to Group 3 status in 2005.

King Edward VII Stakes
The King Edward VII Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. The race was first run in 1834 as the Ascot Derby Stakes and was originally also open to three-year-old fillies. In 1926 it was re-named in honour of King Edward VII and restricted to colts and geldings only. It is still sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Ascot Derby" and it is often contested by horses which ran two weeks earlier in the prestigious Epsom Derby.

Coronation Stakes
The Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. The race was first run in 1840 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria two years earlier. It is often contested by horses which ran previously in the 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches or the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and it can sometimes establish the leading three-year-old filly in Europe over 1 mile. The race attained Group 1 status in 1988.

Queen's Vase
The Queen's Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres) at Ascot Racecourse at the Royal meeting in June. It was first run in 1838 as the Gold Cup Vase, changing to the present name in 1960. The race was open to three-year-olds and upwards between 1840 and 1986. It was downgraded to a Listed race in 1986 but returned to Group 3 status in 1991. Until 2004 the race was run over a distance of 2 miles 45 yards (3,260 metres). In 2005 it was run at York Racecourse over exactly 2 miles and this distance was retained when the race returned to Ascot in 2006.

Chesham Stakes
The Chesham Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal meeting in June. The race is named after 3rd Baron Chesham, who served as the last Master of the Buckhounds in 1900-01. It is currently restricted to horses whose sires won at distances of ten furlongs or more. Prior to 1996 the distance of the race was 6 furlongs (1,207 metres). Notable recent participants include Cape Verdi, second in 1997, who subsequently won the 1,000 Guineas, and Wilko, third in 2004, who later won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Hardwicke Stakes
The Hardwicke Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. First run in 1879, the race was named after Charles Philip Yorke, 5th Earl of Hardwicke.

Golden Jubilee Stakes
The Golden Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. It was first run in 1868 as the Cork and Orrery Stakes, named after the 9th Earl of Cork & 9th Earl of Orrery who had been Master of the Buckhounds in 1866. The race kept this name until 2002, when it became a Group 1 and was re-named to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It is now the fourth leg of the seven race Global Sprint Challenge series, preceded by the King's Stand Stakes and followed by the Centaur Stakes.

Wokingham Stakes
The Wokingham Stakes is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal meeting in June. It is a handicap race and was first run in 1813. It is named after the town of Wokingham, seven miles from Ascot.

Queen Alexandra Stakes
The Queen Alexandra Stakes is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 2 mile 5 furlongs and 159 yards (4,370 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. The race named in honour of Queen Alexandra (1844-1925), Queen Consort of King Edward VII. It was originally titled the Alexandra Stakes and was given its present name in 1931. It is traditionally the last race of the Royal Ascot meeting and is the longest flat race run in the United Kingdom. Until 2004 it was run over a distance of 2 miles 6 furlongs and 34 yards. When the Royal Ascot meeting was staged at York Racecourse in 2005 during Ascot’s redevelopment the race was run over 2 miles 6 furlongs and on its return to Ascot in 2006 the course re-alignment had reduced the distance to 2 miles 5 furlongs and 159 yards. It was suggested that the Marathon Handicap at Pontefract Racecourse might be run over a longer distance in 2007, but at 2 miles 5 furlongs and 122 yards it remains slightly shorter than the Queen Alexandra Stakes. The extreme distance of the race tends to attract a varied field and runners often come from the ranks of hurdlers well as pattern race winners. It is also often contested by horses who have run in the Ascot Stakes earlier in the Royal meeting and in 2006 Baddam became the first horse to win both races in the same year since 1978. The most notable winner of the Queen Alexandra Stakes was Brown Jack who won the race on six consecutive occasions from 1929 to 1934.

Other Flat Races

Sagaro Stakes
The Sagaro Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in late April or early May. It is named after Sagaro, the only horse to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on three occasions. The race was first run in 1984 – the planned first running in 1983 was abandoned due to waterlogging. It took place at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course in 1998 and 2001, and while Ascot was closed for redevelopment in 2005 and 2006 it was run at Lingfield Park. Prior to the redevelopment the distance of the race at Ascot was 2 miles 45 yards (3,260 metres).

Summer Mile Stakes
The Summer Mile Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse in July. The race is currently sponsored by Sony, and was raised to Group 2 level in 2007. Prior to this it held Group 3 status, having been previously upgraded from Listed class in 2003. Before 2006 the race was known as the Silver Trophy Stakes, and when it was temporarily transferred to the all-weather track at Lingfield Park Racecourse in 2005, it became the first British Pattern race to be run on a non-turf course. This was followed by the newly upgraded Winter Derby in March 2006. After a second year at Lingfield, the race returned to Ascot in 2007.

Princess Margaret Stakes
The Princess Margaret Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in July. It was first run in 1949 and named in honour of Princess Margaret, younger daughter of King George VI. It was upgraded to Group 3 status in 1986. The 2002 winner, Russian Rhythm, won the following season's 1,000 Guineas.

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in late July. The race was created as the result of an amalgamation of the King George VI Stakes, a two-mile race for three-year-olds run in October since 1946, and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which had been run each July since 1948 at one and a half miles. The amalgamated race was first run during the Festival of Britain in 1951, and was called the Festival of Britain King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. This became the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1952, and the race continued with this title until 1974. From 1972 to 2006 the race was sponsored by the diamond company De Beers, and in 1975 permission was given by Queen Elizabeth II for the word Diamond to be included in the title. As a result, from 1975 it was run as the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. With De Beers ending their sponsorship after the 2006 running, the race reverted to its old title and was run in 2007 without sponsorship. It is probably the highest quality race in the United Kingdom and it is an opportunity for the leading middle-distance three-year-olds to compete against the more established older horses. This race can often put the merits of the Classic generation into context.

Royal Lodge Stakes
The Royal Lodge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in late September. It was first run in 1946 and is named after Royal Lodge, a royal residence in Windsor Great Park. The first two runnings of the race in 1946 and 1947 were run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres). It was run at Newbury Racecourse in 1960 and 1963, and was open to all two-year-olds before 1987. Past winners include St. Paddy in 1959 who went on the next year to win two Classics, the Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes.

Fillies' Mile
The Fillies' Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse in late September. It was first run in 1973 and was given Group 1 status in 1990, having previously been a Group 2.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse in late September. It was first run in 1955 and was given Group 2 status when the pattern system was introduced in 1971. This was upgraded to Group 1 in 1987. In 1966, the race was won by Hill Rise, an American horse who had raced successfully in the U.S.

Cumberland Lodge Stakes
The Cumberland Lodge Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in late September. It is named after Cumberland Lodge, a house in nearby Windsor Great Park.

Diadem Stakes
The Diadem Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in late September. It was first run in 1946, prior to which all racing at Ascot had been confined to the Royal meeting in June. It is named after the filly Diadem, winner of the 1,000 Guineas in 1917, and later a top class sprinter with frequent wins at Ascot.

Bengough Stakes
The Bengough Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in October. Prior to 2008 it was run at Newmarket as the Bentinck Stakes, named in honour of Lord George Bentinck, a successful 19th century racehorse owner. Before 1993 the race distance was 5 furlongs (1,006 metres). It was promoted to Group 3 status in 2003, having previously been a classed as a Listed race.

Cornwallis Stakes
The Cornwallis Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in October. In 2000 the race was due to be run at Ascot but was called off following a security alert. It was re-scheduled and run the following week at Newbury over a distance of 5 furlongs and 34 yards (1,037 metres). When Ascot was closed for re-development, both the 2004 and 2005 races were due to be run at Salisbury. But the 2004 race was abandoned because of heavy rain and transferred to Newmarket one week later.

Autumn Stakes
The Autumn Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in October. It was upgraded to Group 3 status in 2003 having previously been a Listed race. Horses from this race have a good record in progressing into top class performers, none more so than the 1988 winner Nashwan, a champion three-year-old the following season.

National Hunt Races

Long Walk Hurdle
The Long Walk Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 3 miles and 1 furlong (5,029 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in December. There are fourteen hurdles to be jumped in the race. Named after an avenue of trees in Windsor Great Park, the race was first run in 1965 as a handicap, becoming a conditions race in 1971. It attained Grade 1 status in 1990. Prior to the 2004-06 redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse the distance of the race was 3 miles and 1½ furlongs. Three winners of the race since 1971 have gone on to win the World Hurdle in the same season – Derring Rose in 1980/81, Baracouda in 2001/02 and My Way De Solzen in 2005/06.

Victor Chandler Chase
The Victor Chandler Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race in the United Kingdom for five-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 2 miles 1 furlong (3,420 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in January. There are thirteen fences to be jumped in the race. It is a chase sponsored by the bookmaker Victor Chandler and often includes some leading contenders for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. It was first scheduled to be run in 1987 but was abandoned in its first two years due to frost (1987) and fog (1988). Originally the race was a handicap titled the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase and run over 2 miles with twelve fences to jump. Following the 2004-06 redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse the distance of the race was increased by 1 furlong with one extra fence to be jumped. It was promoted from Grade 2 to Grade 1 status in 2007, and switched from being a handicap to a conditions race. The race is presently registered as the Clarence House Chase, but it is commonly known by its sponsored title.

Ascot Chase
The Ascot Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom for five-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 2 miles 5½ furlongs (4,325 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in February. There are seventeen fences to be jumped in the race. The present distance was introduced in 2008 having been run at 2 miles 3 furlongs (3,822 metres) in 2007 and 2 miles 3½ furlongs (3,923 metres) prior to a temporary move to Lingfield in 2005/06. Over these shorter distances there were sixteen fences to jump.

Reynoldstown Novices' Chase
The Reynoldstown Novices' Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom for five-year-old and above novices. It is run over a distance of 3 miles (4,828 metres) at Ascot Racecourse in February. There are twenty fences to be jumped in the race. The race is named in honour of Reynoldstown, winner of the Grand National in 1935 and 1936. Prior to redevelopment at Ascot between 2004 and 2006, the race was run over a distance of 3 miles 110 yards (4,929 metres). The race is seen as a major trial for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase held at the Cheltenham Festival. However, no horse has won both races since 1973. Despite this six winners have started outright favourite for that race (plus one who started joint favourite) since 1988. The 2007 winner started favourite for the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at the Festival but failed to win.


Course Details

Effect Of Draw:
No significant advantage.

Flat Course:
Right-handed triangle, galloping and stiff, with few undulations, Just over 1m6f round, with 2 1/2f run-in. Straight mile and round mile. All races up to 7f on straight course.

National Hunt Course:
Right-handed, galloping, with stiff fences. Circuit 1m5f.

5 day weather forecast for Royal Ascot Race Course