What’s new for Royal Ascot 2016 – Fashion, Money & Royalty

Royal Ascot 2016 is certainly gearing up to be a memorable year at the races and, as always the event will be steeped in tradition, ceremony and pageantry. Whether this is your first race meeting or you’ve been a million times before you can expect a spectacle like no other sporting event on earth.

From the moment you arrive at the exceptionally beautiful Ascot grounds you’ll be given a visionary treat, from watching the horses in their many stages of parade to absorbing each carefully considered outfit of the guests. Visitors this year will also get to experience a few new highlights making it a standout year for the event.

Ascot Gold Cup renamed in honour of the Queens 90th

For one year only, Royal Ascot’s most famous and prestigious race will be renamed to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. The Gold Cup, will be ran as the ‘Gold Cup in Honour of The Queen’s 90th birthday’ on the third day of Royal Ascot. This race day is traditionally the busiest day of the five day event and informally known as ‘Ladies’ day’.

The history of The Gold Cup race goes back to 1807 and first took place in the presence King George III and Queen Charlotte. Interestingly, The Queen herself became the first reigning monarch to win the Gold Cup with her filly, back in 2013. She has been reported to say she was delighted with the decision to name the race in her honour for 2016.

Royal Ascot Prize Money Boost

It’s good news all round for potential winners at this year’s races. Not only has the total prize money increased by a huge £1 million since 2015 but also for the first time ever, every day at Royal Ascot will offer prize money of at least £1 million. If that wasn’t exciting enough, none of the 30 races will run for less than £80,000.

Guy Henderson, Chief Executive at Ascot, said “In making £1 million more prize money available at Royal Ascot, over and above last year’s Total Prize Fund, we are acting to remain as competitive as we can both at home and overseas”.

New Unsaddling Enclosure

Visitors to Royal Ascot 2016 will also get the chance to visit the brand new state of the art saddling enclosure, which after a £700,000 investment is finally ready for use. The area was increased in size to comfortably accommodate a growing number of horses at Ascot and thereby improve equine welfare. It’s also a great place to get good views of the horses retuning from the tracks before they are taken back to the stables.

Fashion

Guest attire is talked about just as much – if not more than the races themselves and it really is a dressing up occasion like no other. Following recent media coverage suggesting that standards have slipped at the event, Ascot organisers have released an elegant new video made by Boss and Fenwick showcasing a montage of outfit ideas to inspire guests whilst sticking to the strict dress code. The video released in March was clear on the rules but also hinted at not to be missed trends from the summer catwalk. These included:

Ladies Attire

  • Mismatched hat and outfit combinations
  • Bold geometric prints
  • Powder pinks, purples and blues
  • Polka dots
  • Heavily embroidered fabrics
  • Wide brimmed hats – the wider the better
  • Oversized buttons

Gentlemen’s Attire

  • Printed ties
  • Contrasting suit and waistcoat colours in muted tones
  • Geometric printed ties
  • Contrasting tie and handkerchief sets

For up to date rules on attire visit https://www.ascot.co.uk/royal-ascot-style-guide