Royal Ascot 2024 is a British cultural phenomenon that is steeped in tradition. The origins of modern-day Royal Ascot can be traced back to the early 19th century, with the inaugural running of the Gold Cup in 1807.
The five-day extravaganza is the highlight of the summer racing calendar, and it’s where fashion meets sporting excellence. It’s important to note that the strict dress code that enables one to get into the Royal Enclosure is a key part of the event’s history, tradition, and cultural significance.
That being said, it’s the excellent racing with wide-ranging international appeal that makes Royal Ascot such an important part of the Flat season. This year’s meeting will take place between Tuesday 18th June and Saturday 22nd June.
Royal Ascot 2024 – Day 1 (Tuesday 18th June)
Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
The King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)
St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1)
Ascot Stakes
Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
Copper Horse Stakes
Tuesday is arguably the best day of the meeting from a racing point of view and it’s a cracking way to get things underway. The St James’s Palace Stakes is the feature race of the day, and the top three-year-old colts in Europe fight it out to establish their dominance as the best of the best over a mile.
Paddington won the race in 2023, and he went on to claim another two Group 1 victories, as well as second place in the Cartier Horse Of The Year standings.
The English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas are set to take place next month, and they will inform us who the leading contenders will be. Last season’s champion two-year-old City Of Troy looks the most likely winner at this stage, but victory at Newmarket will be required to book his place.
Day 2 (Wednesday 19th June)
Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
The Queen’s Vase (Group 2)
Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)
Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
The Kensington Palace Stakes
Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
Day 2’s highlight is undoubtedly the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and it’s a major Group 1 over 1m2f for four-year-olds and upwards. It’s a very prestigious race with an illustrious roll of honour.
Shadwell Estate’s Mostahdaf blew everyone away with a dominant performance to win in 2023. This year’s renewal should be very competitive, with Auguste Rodin, King Of Steel, and Luxembourg, last year’s runner-up, likely to be the major players.
Day 3 (Thursday 20th June)
Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)
King George V Stakes
Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)
Gold Cup (Group 1)
Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
Buckingham Palace Stakes
The Gold Cup takes centre stage on Day 3 and the Group 1 over a marathon trip of 2m4f is steeped in history. Perhaps the most notable winner in recent times is Estimate who won for the Queen back in 2013, but it’s hard to leave out four-time winner Yeats (2006-2009).
John & Thady Gosden’s inexperienced Courage Mon Ami was a bit of a surprise winner in 2023 and he’s likely to be a strong candidate once again, although 2022 winner Kyprios will prove stiff competition if they clash.
Day 4 (Friday 21st June)
Albany Stakes (Group 3)
Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes
Sandringham Stakes
King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes
Two Group 1 races provide the highlights on Day 4 and it’s the Coronation Stakes which has more prestige. Similar to the St James’s Palace Stakes, this is the fillies’ equivalent which is run on the round course rather than the straight one.
Tahiyra was the best three-year-old filly in training last year and it was her who came out on top in 2023. Dance Sequence, Ylang Ylang, Fallen Angel and Opera Singer could be the main contenders this year but we’ll find out more when the English and Irish 1000 Guineas have been run.
Day 5 (Saturday 22nd June)
Chesham Stakes (Listed)
Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
Jersey Stakes (Group 3
Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
Golden Gates Stakes
Queen Alexandra Stakes
The sprinters take centre stage on the final day, and it’s the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over 6f, which is the day’s feature event. This is probably one of the most international events of the week, with runners from the US and Australia often taking part. Khaadem was a shock winner at 80/1 in 2023 for Charles Hills, and it would be no surprise if the victor in 2024 hails from outside of Europe.
By Adrian Mills
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