There can be little question that the pomp and pageantry of the Royal Ascot is one of the most iconic fixtures in the racing calendar. According to the event’s very own website, the meet attracts over 300,000 revellers over its five-day duration, and it’s also by far and away the richest race festival in Great Britain, with no less than GB£5.5 million changing hands during the course of the event.
You can attend this prestigious event with Motive Travel – we head over every year – but here are four awesome facts about the Royal Ascot to get you fired up for the race meeting itself.
A beast of an inaugural winner
The very first Royal Ascot took place over 300 years ago, on 11 August, 1711. Back then, rules stated that each horse should carry no less than 12 stone – just over 76 kilograms – on his back. That’s enormously heavy for a jockey, but consider this. The actual race was made up of three separate heats as well as the final itself, each of four miles – about 6.5 kilometres.
The name of the first winner of the Royal Ascot is not recorded – but just imagine what a monster the steed must have been.
The winner would have had to have triumphed over a total of 25 kilometres, with 76 kilograms on his or her back, in a single day. Unfortunately, the name of the first winner of the Royal Ascot is not recorded – but just imagine what a monster the steed must have been.
The not-so-grim North
The Royal Ascot is synonymous with royalty and everything regal, but when the course, grandstands and facilities were being refurbished in 2005, the meeting had to take place in the industrial, working-class county of Yorkshire, a few hundred kilometres north.
To recreate the affluent atmosphere of Berkshire, organisers moved absolutely everything that they could to the Ascot’s new, temporary location. This even included the warning bell used to let jockeys know that it was nearly time for a race!
Horses fit for a Queen
Not for no reason is it known as the ‘Royal’ Ascot. Since the Queen attended her first one way back in 1945, she hasn’t missed a single edition of the event since. What’s more, Her Majesty has owned a staggering 19 victorious horses in her time – we wonder if she’s ever placed a sneaky bet?
Royal Ascot, Ascot Racecourse. #racing #horseracing #RoyalAscot #Queen pic.twitter.com/uVFXLrJ0vq
— Angel Limousines (@AngelLimousines) June 22, 2015
Number crunching
The Royal Ascot doesn’t do things by halves. Some 39 kitchens are open during the event, with more than 100 bars and food outlets. They have enough staff on to serve a small city, with 6,000 people serving the race-going public.
Be sure to book your Royal Ascot seat with us at Motive Travel – who knows what other crazy facts you may discover!
