Look, I've been covering horse racing for eight years now, and every June I get the same panicked texts from mates: "How do I watch Royal Ascot without looking like a complete amateur?"
Here's the thing nobody tells you upfront.
Royal Ascot isn't just about the horses - though there are 35 races with over £10 million in prize money, which frankly makes my annual salary look embarrassing. It's this bizarre British spectacle where people spend more on their hat than I do on groceries for a month, all while pretending they understand what "going" means in horse racing terms.
When Does This Madness Actually Happen?
June 17-21, 2025. Tuesday through Saturday. Racing kicks off at 2:30pm sharp every day and wraps up around 6:10pm, which is perfect timing if you're planning to sneak out of work early. Not that I'm encouraging that. (I absolutely am.)
My colleague Sarah tried to book the entire week off last year. Her boss's response: "For horses?" She got three days.
Can You Still Get Tickets? (Spoiler: Yes, But Your Wallet Won't Thank You)
Secondary markets like StubHub still have tickets available, starting at £67 for Tuesday's opening day. Saturday's finale? £139 minimum. I checked this morning while drinking my coffee and nearly choked.
Hospitality packages through Seat Unique start at £105-115 depending on the day. That's roughly what I spent on my last three takeaway orders combined, but hey, priorities.
Here's what they don't advertise: those prices are above face value. Way above, in some cases.
The Only TV Guide You Actually Need
Every single race is FREE on ITV. Thank god for that, because after ticket prices, we all need a break.
ITV1 covers the first six races each day, then switches to ITV4 for the final race. You can stream everything live on ITVX - their app actually works pretty well, unlike some streaming services I could mention. There's also an opening show on ITV4 from 9:30-10:30am if you're the type who needs three hours of buildup before the actual racing starts.
Sky Sports Racing has coverage too, but you'll need a subscription. Given that ITV's coverage is genuinely excellent and completely free, I'm not sure why you'd bother unless you're absolutely obsessed with additional camera angles.
What You're Actually Watching (The Races That Matter)
Eight Group 1 races across five days - these are the big ones that make careers and break hearts.
Tuesday brings the Queen Anne Stakes (£750k) and King's Stand Stakes (£650k). Wednesday features the Prince of Wales's Stakes worth a cool £1 million. Thursday is Gold Cup day - the most prestigious staying race in Europe at £650k. Friday has both the Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes at £650k each. Saturday closes with the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, another £1 million race.
I still remember watching Stradivarius win his third Gold Cup in 2020. Even through a TV screen, you could feel the emotion.
The Complete Daily Breakdown (Because I Know You'll Screenshot This)
Tuesday, June 17:
2:30pm - Queen Anne Stakes (G1) £750,000 (ITV)
3:05pm - Coventry Stakes (G2) £175,000 (ITV)
3:40pm - King's Stand Stakes (G1) £650,000 (ITV)
4:20pm - St James's Palace Stakes (G1) £650,000 (ITV)
5:00pm - Ascot Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV)
5:35pm - Wolferton Stakes (Listed) £120,000 (ITV)
6:10pm - Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV4)
Wednesday, June 18:
2:30pm - Queen Mary Stakes (G2) £150,000 (ITV)
3:05pm - Queen's Vase (G2) £265,000 (ITV)
3:40pm - Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) £225,000 (ITV)
4:20pm - Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) £1,000,000 (ITV)
5:00pm - Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) £175,000 (ITV)
5:35pm - Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) £110,000 (ITV)
6:10pm - Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV4)
Thursday, June 19:
2:00pm - Norfolk Stakes (G2) £150,000 (ITV)
3:05pm - King George V Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV)
3:40pm - Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) £250,000 (ITV)
4:15pm - Gold Cup (G1) £650,000 (ITV)
5:00pm - Britannia Stakes (Handicap) £120,000 (ITV)
5:35pm - Hampton Court Stakes (G3) £150,000 (ITV)
6:10pm - Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV4)
Friday, June 20:
2:30pm - Albany Stakes (G3) £125,000 (ITV)
3:05pm - Commonwealth Cup (G1) £650,000 (ITV)
3:40pm - Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV)
4:20pm - Coronation Stakes (G1) £650,000 (ITV)
5:00pm - Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV)
5:35pm - King Edward VII Stakes (G2) £250,000 (ITV)
6:10pm - Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV4)
Saturday, June 21:
2:30pm - Chesham Stakes (Listed) £110,000 (ITV)
3:06pm - Jersey Stakes (G3) £150,000 (ITV)
3:41pm - Hardwicke Stakes (G2) £250,000 (ITV)
4:20pm - Platinum Jubilee Stakes (G1) £1,000,000 (ITV)
5:00pm - Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) £175,000 (ITV)
5:35pm - Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) £110,000 (ITV)
6:10pm - Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions) £110,000 (ITV4)
The Bit Nobody Mentions
King Charles and Queen Camilla will likely show up with their usual entourage, arriving in those horse-drawn carriages that somehow never look ridiculous despite being completely impractical. Over 250,000 people will cram into Berkshire across five days, all hoping to witness something magical.
And here's the weird part - sometimes they actually do.
Last year I watched a 66-1 outsider win the Royal Hunt Cup and saw grown adults cry with joy. That's why we keep coming back, isn't it? For those moments when logic goes out the window adn pure emotion takes over.
Just remember to set your alarm. These races wait for no one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I learn how to read a racing card?
The racecard provides important information about the race, the horses and their trainers. A racecard typically lists details such as the horse's name, age, weight carried, trainer, jockey, form figures representing past performance, and sometimes the colors of the silks worn by the jockey. Learning to interpret this data can help you gauge each horse's chances and make more informed betting decisions. As part of their customer services, many betting services and racecourses provide guides on reading racecards.
What does a racing term describing a horse as "stayer" mean?
In racing terminology, a ‘stayer’ is a type of horse that excels on long distances. Typically, these distances are beyond one mile and four furlongs. Stayers are required to have both speed and endurance, in order for them to maintain a high pace throughout long races. Renowned stayers compete in long distance races like the Ascot Gold Cup.
How are racehorses selected and bred?
The goal of breeding racehorses is to produce horses that excel on the racing track. Breeders select sires and dams with proven racing pedigrees, aiming to produce offspring with optimal characteristics for speed, endurance, and temperament. Thoroughbreds have a long history of racing in England, and the bloodlines are meticulously recorded. Before starting their racing careers, potential racehorses will often undergo a selection process which includes pedigree assessments, physical assessment of conformation, and performance while in training.
Can you explain what the 'Going' is in horse racing?
'Going" refers to the surface condition of the track on the day a race takes place. It is an important factor that can influence the performance and outcome of a racing. The Going' can range between heavy, which means a very wet and slick track, and firm, meaning a hard and arid surface. There are many grades between these two extremes, including soft, good-to-soft, good, firm to good, and hard. Trainers and jockeys must consider the 'Going' when deciding on racing strategy and equipment, such as the choice of horseshoes for better grip.
What does 'photofinish' in horseracing mean?
Two or more horses crossing the finish line at the same time can result in a photo finish.' This is because it's difficult to see the winner. In these instances, race officials will use a camera at the finish line to capture images in high speed and review the exact moment that each horse's nostril reaches the finish line. The photo finish image helps officials to determine the official order of finish accurately.
What are 'Classics' in UK horse racing?
Classics refers to the five most prestigious races in UK thoroughbred racing. These are usually considered the best contests of three-year-old horses. The 2,000 Guineas is one of them. The other four are The Epsom Derby and The Epsom Oaks. It is an impressive achievement to win one of these Classics. To win all three races for a particular gender (either The Triple Crown for colts or The Triple Crown For fillies) is also a historic feat.
Statistics
- Horse racing contributes an estimated £3.7 billion to the UK economy directly and indirectly each year.
- Around 14,000 thoroughbred foals are born each year in the UK with the goal of becoming top racehorses.
- There are over 8,000 active racehorse owners in the UK, ranging from royals to common citizens.
- Approximately 6 million people attend horse racing events in the UK each year, making it the second most popular spectator sport in the country.
- The prize money for the Epsom Derby stands at approximately £1.5 million, with the winner taking home a substantial portion of this sum.
- British racing oversees around 1,500 fixtures annually across its 59 racecourses.
External Links
How To
How to watch live horse racing in the UK
You can access live UK racing coverage by subscribing to channels such as Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV. These channels broadcast races while providing expert analysis. Most online betting websites offer live streaming service to their account holders. This may require a minimal bet. In addition, many major races and festivals can be seen on free-to air television. Channels such as ITV cover select events in the racing calendar. Consider downloading apps from the racing channels, or using betting sites' mobile apps to watch races live on the move.
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