Prepare Yourself for Exceptional Racing at Royal Ascot
The Royal Ascot is one of the most anticipated racing events in the United Kingdom and this year, it will take place from the 17th to the 21st of June 2008. It is a five day event that is crammed with racing action and is seen as the racing festival to attend. The Ascot Racecourse will once again come alive with racing, fashion and entertainment that will amaze and excite all who attend. Not only is great racing promised, but everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the races while showing off their style and high fashion.
Each day holds a six race card that varies between Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Handicap and listed races. The festival of racing starts on Tuesday the 17th of June and offers spectators the Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1), King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1), St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1), Coventry Stakes (Group 2), Ascot Stakes (Handicap) and the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed). Wednesday kicks off with the Jersey Stakes (Group 3), followed by the Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2), Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1), Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap), Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) and the Sandringham Handicap (Listed). Racing action resumes at half-past-two in the afternoon on Thursday, with the running of the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2), the Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2), Gold Cup (Group 1), Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap), Hampton Court Stakes (Listed) and the King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap).
The last two days are just as exciting as the start of the Royal Ascot, with spectators looking forward to the Albany Stakes (Group 3), the King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2), Coronation Stakes (Group 1), Wolfreton Handicap Stakes (Listed), Queen’s Vase (Group 3) , with the last race on Friday being the Buckingham Palace Stakes (Heritage Handicap). The final day of the Royal Ascot includes the Chesham Stakes (Listed), Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2), Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1), Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap), Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Heritage Handicap) and the festival closes with the Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions Race).
With big races and total prize money of £3.5 million at stake, many trainers have confirmed their presence at the 2008 Royal Ascot. Spectators can look forward to seeing horses such as Henrythenavigator, Sacred Kingdom, Seachange, Smart Enough, Elusive Warning, Takeover Target, Dandy Man, US Ranger and Wingbeat at their best, while enjoying the spectacular line-up that has been put together by race organizers. It is most definitely going to be an unforgettable event and racing extravaganza.
