We can't pick the winners but we can do everything else to help you enjoy your time at Ascot.
This year’s event takes place from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 June, and we can arrange entry for one day or the whole event. Here are our tips on horses, hats, hotels and booking in advance.
Benefits of booking early
'With ticket sales for groups of 10 people or more opening on Tuesday 18 October, you can book now to take advantage of early bird offers on every race day except Ladies' Day,' says our tickets specialist James Nethercott.
'Getting organised now will also give you plenty of time to organise your outfit − something that we can help you with − and make the most of our knowledge on the best seating areas, as well as allow us to create a package that's perfectly tailored to your needs. It will also mean you definitely won't miss out on tickets, which can sell out quick.'
'Group tickets for Royal Ascot are worth thinking about now as something that could make a great Christmas gift for family or friends − and it's an event to look forward to through the gradually cooling autumn days.'
Where to watch
For such a prestigious event Royal Ascot is surprisingly egalitarian, offering tickets to suit all budgets and tastes. It costs less than £20 to get into the bustling Silver Ring, which offers a good view of the home straight and plenty of bars in which to celebrate your victories.
Entry to the more formal Grandstand starts from around £50 and grants access to the Parade Ring, where you can see the horses before they race. Private boxes are available for 12 to 40 people, and some of the fine-dining packages allow you to watch the races from balconies in between courses.
‘Even if you’re in a private box or restaurant, try to get down to the Parade Ring to soak up the atmosphere and get a close look at the horses,’ comments sports specialist Alice Castle.
Dress code
For many the racing is merely a peg on which to hang one of the season’s great fashion events. ‘Ascot is a fashion parade,’ says Alice. ‘It’s fun to see what people are wearing − and there’s always somebody in an outrageous hat or dress.’ Ladies’ Day, on Thursday 21 June, is when style reaches a crescendo, but throughout the week you can expect head-turning hats and clothes that wouldn’t look out of place on a catwalk.
A formal dress code applies everywhere apart from the Silver Ring and, although casual attire here is permitted, many spectators choose to dress smartly anyway. We can arrange personal stylists and shoppers who’ll help you source a classic, subtle outfit for the event or an ensemble that will outshine the Gold Cup.
The racing
There are 30 races across the week but the highlights are the Group 1 events, horseracing’s highest category of contest.
Day one sees the Queen Anne Stakes, King’s Stand Stakes and St James’s Palace Stakes. Day two stages the Prince of Wales’ Stakes, while the Gold Cup is the highlight of Ladies’ Day on the third day. It’s the most popular event, but save some of your cash for the Coronation Stakes on day four and Golden Jubilee Stakes on the final day.
Where to stay
We’ve asked travel specialist Rob Arrow to pick some of his favourite hotels near Ascot. See below for our member offer or call for more recommendations to suit all budgets.
Macdonald Berystede: This four-star hotel and spa is close enough to Ascot so you can have a lie in without missing the first race, yet provides a peaceful retreat after the day’s over. Recharge in the outdoor hydrotherapy pool or thermal suite.
Coworth Park: ‘This country house from the Dorchester Collection even has an equestrian theme,’ comments Rob. ‘The spa is beautiful and John Campbell’s restaurant has already collected a Michelin star.’
Pennyhill Park: This luxury retreat has one Michelin star and 123 acres of parkland. ‘Pennyhill’s spa is the largest in the UK but still manages to remain intimate,’ says Rob.
Stoke Park: ‘This country resort fuses traditional style with some cool, contemporary rooms,’ explains Rob. ‘It’s also got fantastic golf facilities for those who would rather tee off than soak in the spa.’
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