UK Horse Racing Tips

Royal Ascot is a prestigious horse racing event held annually in the United Kingdom. With a rich history spanning over three centuries, it has become synonymous with elegance, high fashion, and world-class horse racing. This article delves into the captivating story of Royal Ascot, tracing its origins, notable moments, and enduring traditions.

The Beginnings of Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot traces its roots back to 1711 when Queen Anne, a devoted horse racing enthusiast, first spotted the potential of the Ascot area for organizing races. What started as a modest event featuring only a few races quickly gained popularity among the aristocracy and the wider public.

In 1711, Queen Anne ordered the establishment of Ascot Racecourse, a permanent venue for horse racing. The racecourse’s location, set amidst picturesque Berkshire countryside, provided an idyllic setting for this prestigious event.

During the early years, Royal Ascot received strong support from the British royal family, with subsequent monarchs attending the event and contributing to its development. The presence of royalty elevated the status of Royal Ascot and attracted widespread attention.

The Royal Enclosure, established in 1807, is the most exclusive section of Royal Ascot. Accessible only to those with a royal invitation or a prestigious membership, it epitomizes glamour, sophistication, and strict dress codes. This revered enclave showcases the finest fashion and fascinators, setting global trends for formal attire.

The Ascot Gold Cup

One of the most renowned races at Royal Ascot is the Ascot Gold Cup. First run in 1807, this gruelling test of stamina and speed has attracted legendary horses and jockeys throughout history. The Ascot Gold Cup remains a highlight of the event, captivating spectators with its thrilling displays of equine prowess.

Punters and tipsters alike try to pick the winner of this historic race and it certainly garners a lot of attention from the press as you draw closer to the big meeting.

Royal Procession: A Regal Tradition

Each day of Royal Ascot begins with a royal procession. Led by the Queen and other members of the royal family in horse-drawn carriages, this grand spectacle announces the commencement of the day’s racing. The procession is a symbol of tradition and regality, adding a touch of royal splendour to the event.

Royal Ascot has earned a reputation as a fashion Mecca, where attendees showcase their sartorial elegance and creativity. The event’s strict dress code guides guests to adhere to traditional and formal attire, with ladies wearing hats or fascinators and gentlemen donning top hats and morning suits. Fashion enthusiasts from around the world eagerly anticipate Royal Ascot for its fashion-forward displays.

The Global Appeal of Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot’s allure extends far beyond the borders of the United Kingdom. Its global appeal attracts visitors, participants, and horse racing enthusiasts from all corners of the world. The event has become an international icon, renowned for its blend of sporting excellence, regal traditions, and high fashion.

With its long-standing history and prestigious reputation, Royal Ascot captures the imagination of people across continents. The event is broadcasted to millions of viewers worldwide, allowing them to experience the excitement and grandeur of the races from the comfort of their homes. Horse racing enthusiasts, fashion aficionados, and even those with a passing interest in the sport eagerly await Royal Ascot each year.

Modern Royal Ascot: Tradition Meets Innovation

While Royal Ascot embraces its rich traditions, it also evolves to stay relevant in the modern era. The event combines the elegance of the past with contemporary elements to create a unique experience for attendees. From innovative racecourse facilities to digital advancements enhancing the viewing experience, Royal Ascot strikes a delicate balance between heritage and innovation.

Furthermore, Royal Ascot has diversified its offering beyond horse racing. It now includes live music performances, culinary delights, and luxury shopping experiences, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. These additions have broadened the event’s appeal and attracted a wider audience.

In the present day, Royal Ascot remains a highlight of the British social calendar. It takes place over five days in June, attracting a mix of royalty, celebrities, and horse racing enthusiasts. The event showcases a line-up of prestigious races, including the Ascot Gold Cup, the Queen Anne Stakes, and the King’s Stand Stakes.

Royal Ascot also holds cultural and economic significance. It contributes to the local economy, creating employment opportunities and generating revenue for the surrounding areas. Additionally, it promotes tourism, drawing visitors from around the globe who explore the vibrant city of London and the picturesque countryside of Berkshire.

Royal Ascot stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of horse racing, fashion, and regal traditions. With its remarkable history, timeless elegance, and global recognition, it continues to captivate audiences worldwide. From the founding of Ascot Racecourse to the grandeur of the Royal Enclosure, Royal Ascot weaves together the stories of royalty, sporting excellence, and sartorial splendour.

As Royal Ascot evolves with the times, it remains a cherished event that unites people in their love for horses, fashion, and the thrill of the races. Whether one attends in person or watches from afar, the magic of Royal Ascot is an experience that leaves an indelible mark on all who encounter it.

The Game Spirit Chase is a Grade 2 steeplechase run over 2 miles and 92 yards at Newbury in February. Open to horses aged five years and upwards, the race is named in honour of Game Spirit, a prolific steeplechaser owned by the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother during the Seventies. Inaugurated in 1953, the Game Spirit Chase was promoted to Grade 2 status in 1992, having previously been run as a Listed handicap. Since 2012, the race has been sponsored by Betfair and is currently known, for sponsorship purposes, as the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase.

Paul Nicholls has saddled seven winners of the Game Spirit Chase, namely Flagship Uberalles (2000), Kadarann (2003), Azertyuiop (2004 & 2005), Master Minded (2008 & 2010) and Mr. Mole (2015), making the Master of Manor Farm the leading trainer in the history of the race. Other high-profile winners down the years include Dunkirk (1965), Viking Flagship (1994 & 1996), Sprinter Sacre (2012) and Altior (2017, 2018 & 2020), all of whom won the Queen Mother Champion Chase, or the Two-Mile Champion Chase, as it was originally known, at least once. And let’s not forget Pendil (1973), who won the King George VI Chase twice and was just touched off, at odds-on, in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Unsurprisingly, for a race that routinely attracts a single-figure field, the Game Spirit Chase has proved a rewarding contest for favourite backers, with seven of the last ten market leaders successful, albeit it prohibitive odds on the whole. Recent trends also suggest that an official rating of 154, or higher, is a pre-requisite, as are at least six runs, and two wins, over regulation fences. At the time of writing, the 2023 renewal of the Game Spirit Chase is just days away and Greaneteen, who ticks all the boxes for recent winners, is a top-priced 4/7 to continue Nicholls’ dominance.

If you are a fan of horse racing, then you will definitely enjoy playing Lucky Horse – the exciting new slot game from High 5 Games.

As the horse race trainer, you will have multiple responsibilities to fulfil. However, the good news is that you will receive generous rewards for performing well. Your tasks will include training the horse to win the race, selecting the best jockey, and entertaining the wealthy and attractive couple who own Lucky Horse.

Symbols

Lettered and numbered symbols hold the key to the winning formula, with a potential payout of up to 150 times your stake for finding 5 matching symbols.

Main Features of Lucky Horse Slot

Once you hit the races, or any best casino online site, you can earn even more with a potential payout of 400 times your stake if all five horses win. Look out for the significant Wild Coins, which can trigger a Wild Bonus of up to 2,500 times your stake if you manage to find all six.

But the real highlight is the Scatter Bucks Feature, which can be triggered at any time for big payouts. Each reel has a progressive profile, with reel 1 offering up to 100x your stake, reel 2 up to 500x, reel 3 up to 1,000x, reel 4 up to 2,000x, and reels 5 and 6 offering up to a whopping 10,000x your stake.

If you manage to lead the horse to victory, you will be eligible for some fantastic bonuses, such as the Free Games Bonus, Lucky Horse Wilds, and Expanding Wilds. These bonuses can result in significant payouts and enhance your overall gaming experience.

Conclusion

Lucky Horse from High 5 Games is an exciting slot game that offers plenty of opportunities for big payouts. With its unique theme and innovative features, it’s definitely worth a try for any horse racing enthusiast or slot game lover.

Caroline Bailey has, justifiably, garnered a reputation as one of the leading horsewomen in Britain. She is, in fact, the daughter of the late Dick Saunders, who rode Grittar to win the Grand National, as a 48-year-old amateur, in 1982. Indeed, during her own riding career, she had the distinction of becoming the first female jockey to ride a winner at Cheltenham, aboard Ptarmigan who, like Grittar, was bred, owned and trained by the late Frank Gilman in Morcott, Rutland.

Caroline Bailey first took out a full, professional training licence in 2006, but by that stage of her career, had already sent out over 450 point-to-point winners from her yard at Holdenby Farm Lodge in rural Northamptonshire. Her most memorable victory came courtesy of the seven-year-old Castle Mane, who recorded an impressive, 13-length win in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in 1999. In fact, she later admitted, ‘At Cheltenham, I’d never been so excited in my life, particularly as we’d had him from the beginning.’ Two years later, in 2001, Bailey saddled the first two home, Gunner Welburn and Secret Bay, in the Martell Fox Hunters’ Chase, over the Grand National fences, at Aintree. Other notable horses to pass through her hands include the profilic Teaplanter, who only cost £1,000 as a yearling, but won 27 races, including three point-to-points, and amassed nearly £54,000 in total prize money.

Since joining the professsional training ranks, Bailey has found high-profile winners harder to come by. However, in February, 2019, she did saddle Crosspark to win the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle; the £50,048 first prize money made a significant contribution towards what is, so far, her best seasonal total, of £227,615, in 2018/19.