Royal Ascot to retain extra races at this year’s meeting

ASCOT has announced this year’s Royal meeting will be extended to feature seven-race cards on each day of the fixture.
By Tom Richmond
Published 18th Jan 2021, 17:01 BST
Updated 18th Jan 2021, 21:52 BST
Royal Ascot went ahead last year behind closed doors.Royal Ascot went ahead last year behind closed doors.
Royal Ascot went ahead last year behind closed doors.

Extra races were added last year as a result of the late start of the Flat season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now it has been confirmed that the Copper Horse Stakes, Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes, Golden Gates Stakes and Buckingham Palace Stakes will be retained.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Additionally, a new handicap to be run over the Old Mile for four-year-olds and upwards fillies and mares, named the Kensington Palace Stakes, will also be added.

No crfowds were present at Royal Ascot in 2020 to witness Yorkshire jockey Kevin Stott's look of bewilderment when Hello Youmzain won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.No crfowds were present at Royal Ascot in 2020 to witness Yorkshire jockey Kevin Stott's look of bewilderment when Hello Youmzain won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
No crfowds were present at Royal Ascot in 2020 to witness Yorkshire jockey Kevin Stott's look of bewilderment when Hello Youmzain won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Sir Francis Brooke, Her Majesty’s representative at Ascot, said: “A positive that we drew from Royal Ascot 2020 was that the additional races presented more opportunities to participate. We are delighted to be able to make this change permanent.”

Ascot has commissioned extra temporary stabling to ensure the additional runners do not compromise Covid protocols.

“Royal Ascot is constantly evolving and has benefitted from many recent race additions and promotions and we are excited that the week will now be bigger and better for everyone,” said director of racing Nick Smith.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

No crowds were present for last year’s fixture – and it remains doubtful that 50,000-plus crowds each day will be permitted to attend Royal Ascot this June.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.

Related topics:AscotCovid-19

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.