The Heritage Behind Royal Ascot

In the summer of 1711, Queen Anne was out riding near Windsor when she stopped to inspect a stretch of open land. She famously remarked that this land was “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch” – a simple remark that changed the sport of horse racing forever. 

Later that year, Ascot Racecourse was born, and the first official race meeting took place on 17th August 1711. The inaugural race, Her Majesty’s Plate, was run for a substantial 100 guineas and paid in gold. Yes, gold!

Word of this new course spread quickly, and thanks to its proximity to both Windsor and London, Ascot began to attract interest not just from the sporting crowd but from the aristocracy too. Grandstands began to fill, and Ascot soon became not just a racecourse but a proper social occasion.

Fashion played its part too, and whilst it remained a great event to socialise, in 1825, King George IV formalised what would become one of Royal Ascot’s most famous rituals: the Royal Procession.

Each day, members of the Royal Family arrived at the racecourse by horse and carriage, greeted by tremendous applause from the crowd to the sound of the national anthem. To this day, that tradition continues, and with it, Royal Ascot’s identity.

By the 20th century, Royal Ascot had become more than a sporting event. Even the challenges of two World Wars couldn't break the spirit, and when racing returned after those difficult years, so too did the crowds. Ascot resumed right where it left off, a proud symbol of resilience and tradition.

Over 300 years on from Queen Anne’s gallop, Royal Ascot has evolved into one of the most prestigious events in the sporting calendar, bringing the best horses, trainers and jockeys from around the globe.

Next week, Ascot's gates will open once again and will draw over 250,000 people across the five days. The world's finest thoroughbreds will vie for some of the richest prizes in the sport but, just as importantly, look to etch themselves into the history books.

But beyond the racing, its rich history remains. It's not just a week in June, it's a week to be proud of the sport and our tradition.