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The rich heritage of Royal Ascot has been around for 300 years and this racecourse is now the established national institution of British horseracing.

The racecourse at Ascot began in 1711 when Queen Anne out riding near Windsor found a piece of open land suitable for horses to gallop on.

The first meeting was held on the 11th August in 1711 and the first event was her “Majesty’s Plate. This was worth a 100 guineas and open to horses over the age of six. Seven runners took part.

Unfortunately there is no record of the horse that won this momentus race but it would have had extreme stamina as the heats were four miles long (about the length of the Grand National Race Course). The horses running were English Hunters, very different to the fast thoroughbreds we see today.

Three centuries later the Queen Anne Stakes continues to run in memory of the monarch who started the famous Ascot.

William Lowen laid out the racecourse, assisted by a team of helpers. The first permanent building on the site was errected in about 1794 and was in use until 1838.

The Act of enclosure was passed in 1813 and this ensured that although the racecourse was still crown property it was to be kept and used by the public. This ensured the security of Ascot.

Ladies’ day has to be one of the most famous days in racing around the world. It is held on the third day of Royal Ascot and is traditionally the busiest day of the week. The term ladies’ day evolved as the majority of the crowd were “ladies’.

Until 2001 Royal Ascot racecourse was run as a private company with no accounts being published. The company was incorporated in 2002 in conjunction with the redevelopment of the racecourse.

Her Majesty the Queen has owned and bred racehorses for many years, as did the Queen Mother and achieved great success. Her Jockeys will always race wearing her colours.

The Queens very first attendance at Ascot was in May 1945. She was 19 years old and the event was the first after the end of the Second World War.

Ascot was closed in September 2004 for a major overhaul and redevelopment programme. The scheme was the largest in Europe and took Royal Ascot into a whole new league of racing experience.

In June 2006 the grandstand was officially opened again by Her Majesty The Queen. The re-development went to plan and was opened on time and within budget.

Ascot is now a premier racing venue with a fascinating history. Even if you do not generally bet on horses this is a “must visit” place for everyone. You will not be able to resist its infectious appeal.

Tags: Horses

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