Royal Ascot reaches its grand conclusion on Saturday, 20 June, with a glittering card worth more than £2 million in prize money. The fifth and final day of the prestigious meeting promises a thrilling blend of elite Group races, competitive handicaps and traditional staying contests, ensuring the festival ends on a memorable note.
Ascot racecards 20 June
A total prize fund of £2,015,000 is on offer across seven races, with the spotlight firmly on the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, the day’s flagship Group 1 sprint worth £1 million.
The action begins at 2:30 pm with the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) over five furlongs. Open to two-year-olds, this £175,000 contest has long been a showcase for some of the fastest juvenile sprinters in training. Young horses with early speed and maturity often make their mark in this race, making it one of the most exciting juvenile events of the week.
At 3:05 pm, attention turns to the Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2), a prestigious middle-distance contest run over one mile and four furlongs. With a purse of £250,000, the race regularly attracts proven performers from the older-horse division. The Hardwicke is often viewed as a stepping stone to major summer targets and provides a stern test of stamina, class and tactical speed.
The highlight of the afternoon arrives at 3:40 pm with the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1). Worth an impressive £1 million, the six-furlong sprint is among the most valuable races of the entire Royal Ascot meeting. Renowned for attracting top-class sprinters from Britain, Ireland and beyond, the contest has developed a global reputation as one of the premier sprint races in the racing calendar.
Fast horses, strong pace and a fiercely competitive field are expected to create a thrilling spectacle. The race often produces dramatic finishes and serves as a showcase for some of the finest speedsters in the sport.
The programme continues at 4:20 pm with the Jersey Stakes (Group 3) over seven furlongs. Reserved for three-year-olds, this £175,000 event often features talented runners stepping up in distance after competing in sprint races earlier in the season. The combination of speed and stamina required makes the Jersey Stakes a fascinating tactical contest and a valuable opportunity for emerging stars to enhance their reputations.
One of the most competitive races of the entire meeting follows at 5:00 pm with the Wokingham Stakes Handicap. Run over six furlongs and carrying prize money of £175,000, the Wokingham traditionally attracts a large and highly competitive field. The handicap format often results in closely matched runners battling to the finish, producing some of the most exciting moments of Royal Ascot week.
The race has built a reputation for delivering memorable performances and dramatic conclusions, with every participant aiming to secure one of the festival’s most sought-after handicap victories.
At 5:35 pm, the focus shifts to the Golden Gates Stakes Handicap, a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and two furlongs. Offering £120,000 in prize money, the race provides a valuable platform for improving young horses. Many runners arrive with limited experience but considerable potential, adding an intriguing element to the contest as future stars attempt to announce themselves on one of racing’s biggest stages.
The Royal Ascot meeting concludes at 6:10 pm with the historic Queen Alexandra Stakes, run over a demanding two miles and six furlongs. With a purse of £120,000, it is the longest race of the week and one of the oldest contests in the British racing calendar.
The marathon test requires exceptional stamina and determination, often producing emotional and memorable finishes. As the final race of the festival, it provides a fitting conclusion to five days of world-class competition at Ascot.
Saturday’s programme perfectly captures the essence of Royal Ascot. From lightning-fast juvenile sprinters in the Norfolk Stakes to seasoned stayers tackling the Queen Alexandra Stakes, the card offers something for every racing enthusiast. The blend of elite Group races and fiercely contested handicaps ensures excitement from the opening contest to the closing stages of the meeting.
With more than £2 million in prize money, international prestige and a tradition stretching back centuries, Royal Ascot Day Five promises to deliver a spectacular finale. The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes will undoubtedly command centre stage, but every race on the card carries significance, quality and the potential for unforgettable moments.
As the curtain falls on another edition of Royal Ascot, racing fans around the world can look forward to an afternoon showcasing the very best of thoroughbred racing, outstanding athletic performance and the timeless appeal of one of the sport’s greatest festivals.
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