Royal Ascot is unequivocally one of the most prestigious events in the British social and sporting calendar, and this year’s edition certainly didn’t disappoint. Taking place last month over 18th – 22nd June, it was every bit the spectacle that has come to be expected of it, and from edge-of-your-seat action and top-tier horse racing to glamorous fashion and celebrity guests, once again, it pulled out all the stops to ensure a memorable weekend for racing enthusiasts and high-climbing social butterflies alike.
With Royal Ascot betting platforms raking in eye-watering amounts in revenue over the course of the event, no expense was spared by attendees and at-home spectators in pursuit of a great time and potentially, a big win too. Here’s a look back at the highlights that made this year’s Royal Ascot an unforgettable experience we’ll still be talking about by the time next year’s event rolls around.
Thrilling racing action
As ever, Royal Ascot 2024 featured an impressive lineup of races, with some of the world’s best horses, jockeys, and trainers battling it out for victory. Five days of exhilarating racing action, it all kicked off with the famous Queen Anne Stakes, with impressive horse Charyn, trained by Roger Varian and ridden by jockey Silvestre Sousa, taking the title.
The Gold Cup is undoubtedly the most hotly-anticipated race and the atmosphere for 2024’s iteration was nothing short of electric as Kyprios, who missed the race last year due to a life-threatening leg injury staged an awe-inspiring comeback, beating Trawlerman and thundering home to victory to reclaim the title he first won in 2022. Ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien, he is only the third horse in history to have ever reclaimed the title, making it an even more special race to witness.
The King’s Stand Stakes was another spectacle in itself, with jockey Oisin Murphy steering Asfoora to glory, and the Coronation Stakes – a celebration of the best three-year-old fillies – had spectators on the edge of their seats as Porta Fortuna stormed past Opera Singer to win under Tom Marquand.
Fashion at its finest
While there’s no denying that Royal Ascot is mostly all about jaw-dropping racing action, the event is also well known for showcasing sartorial elegance, and attendees on Ladies’ Day 2024 outdid themselves once again. Putting on an extraordinary display of designer outfits and creative style, hats and fascinators were donned by all, with everything from wide-brimmed hats to intricate feathered headpieces making the ultimate statements.
It’s always fun to try and guess which designers attendees are wearing, and this year we saw everything from Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney to get-ups by a raft of up-and-coming avant-garde designers of note, making for an impressive parade that juxtaposed classic elegance with daring modern dressing.
Men’s fashion at Royal Ascot 2024 also impressed, with classic morning suits with top hats and waistcoats given a modern twist with touches such as patterned ties, colourful pocket squares, and glitzy cufflinks adding a sense of individuality bringing looks bang up to date
The Royal Procession
The Royal Procession is one of the most opulent displays to be witnessed at Royal Ascot, and it was just as impressive this year as it always is. The Royal Family, led by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, received a warm reception from the crowd and as ever, the parade served as a reminder of the prestige with which this event has long been associated.
Gourmet dining
Food and drink is no supporting act at the event, and has long played a major role that attracts guests in their droves. With Michelin-starred chefs and bespoke dining options on hand and ready to cater to the most refined of tastes, guests enjoyed everything from lavish champagne afternoon teas to exquisite tasting menus.
The exclusive Royal Enclosure was, as ever, home to the very best of what was on offer. Reserved only for a very select list of VIP guests, with Simon Rogan, who holds an impressive seven Michelin Stars and two Michelin Green Stars serving up a show-stopping menu of decadent fine dining dishes at the Parade Ring. Tom Barnes, former executive head chef at three Michelin star restaurant L’Enclume, also cooked up a storm in the enclosure at the Old Press Room, while over in the Queen Anne Enclosure, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at the Michelin-starred Northcote restaurant in Lancashire, played a starring role at ON 5.
A showcase of sustainability and innovation
Green initiatives also played a prominent role at this year’s event, with single-use plastics eliminated in favour of recyclable and biodegradable materials and guests encouraged to opt for more sustainable and pre-loved fashion choices.
The event also debuted a number of technological advancements to enhance the spectator experience, including augmented reality, which was used to facilitate easier access of real-time race data and interactive maps via a new smartphone app and – for those unable to attend in person, live streaming so that nobody had to miss out on any of the action as it unfolded.
The bottom line
Once again, this year’s Royal Ascot was an impressive event that few will be forgetting any time soon, bringing together the very best in horse racing with the glitz, glamour and prestige this historic festival is known for to deliver a summer spectacle like no other.
