3rd June 2006
ROYAL ASCOT – Returns to its Berkshire home in 2006
Royal Ascot returns to its Berkshire home in 2006. The first day of Royal Ascot, Tuesday 20th June will mark the official reopening of the new Grandstand and track, following a major redevelopment programme, the largest of its type anywhere in Europe.
The centrepiece of Ascot’s year, Royal Ascot is the world’s most famous race meeting, steeped in history dating back to 1711. Royal Ascot is an internationally renowned sporting and social occasion, where tradition, pageantry and style all meet in a glorious setting – against the spectacular backdrop of top class thoroughbreds and world famous jockeys competing for some of the highest accolades in horseracing.
The quality of the horseracing is simply outstanding, with over £3.5 million in prize money and a total of seventeen Group races on offer, including at least one Group One event on each of the five days, Royal Ascot is an occasion not to be missed. The prize money for Royal Ascot 2006 has been increased by 12.5%, and for the first time brings the value of prize money on offer over the five days to £3,665,000.
The action on the track is matched only by the fashions on display, with a colourful array of outfits and hats creating one of the most sophisticated and elegant events in the summer calendar.
Over 300,000 people make the annual visit to Berkshire during Royal Ascot week, making this is Europe’s most popular race meeting. We look forward to welcoming you to Ascot to celebrate the start of a new era.