The History of Ascot Racecourse

The History of Ascot Racecourse

We have Queen Anne to thank for over 300 years of racing at Royal Ascot.

It was Queen Anne who first saw the potential of a racecourse for Ascot, which in those days was known at East Cote. Whilst out riding she came across an area of open heath, not far from Windsor Castle, that looked an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch.” The first race meeting ever held at Ascot took place on Saturday, August 11, 1711. Her Majesty’s Plate, worth 100 guineas was the inaugural event, open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six. Each horse was required to carry a weight of 12st and seven runners took part. The contest bore little resemblance to racing seen at Ascot today. The seven horses were all English Hunters, quite different to the speedy thoroughbreds that race on the flat now. The race consisted of three separate heats, each four miles long, so the winner would have been a horse with tremendous stamina.

Racing at Ascot became very popular and, in 1813 Parliament passed an Act of Enclosure. This act ensured that Ascot Heath, although property of the crown, would be kept and used as a racecourse for the public in the future.

Royal Ascot is the horse race to end all horse races. The annual equestrian spectacle has taken place for more than 200 years, making it one of the oldest tournaments in history.

Known for its ties to British nobility, the weeklong Royal Ascot is Britain’s most popular race, seeing around 300,000 guests each year.

Royal Ascot is now an important part of British culture and combines the best elements of sport, fashion, tradition and pageantry to create a five-day event like no other. Each day is opened with the famous Royal Procession, which dates back to the 1820s and the reign of King George IV when it was known as the Royal Parade or Royal Drive.

Around this time, the famous dress code, which all guests inside the Royal Enclosure are required to wear, was brought into effect by Beau Brummell. The dress code is now one of the meeting’s most important and recognizable aspects.

Those attending the earliest days of Royal Ascot could not have imagined that the event would grow to the size it is today. It is estimated that around 300,000 guests descend upon Ascot for the five-day racing bonanza, making it the best-attended race meeting anywhere in Europe.

Every year Bailey’s Heating Company attends The Ascot Races as part of Bailey’s Family special celebration.

This year we send our major congratulations to the Ladies team for their triumph with a total of 71 points!

It was a remarkable weekend at Ascot Racecourse and The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup!

Thank you All.