The world-renowned Ascot Racecourse is set to host five thrilling race days in the month of June. These consecutive fixtures will take place on Tuesday, 17th June; Wednesday, 18th June; Thursday, 19th June; Friday, 20th June; and Saturday, 21st June. The sequence of race days adds an extra layer of excitement to what promises to be a week of spectacular horse racing action.
Ascot Racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, who discovered the site and famously described it as an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch.” The racecourse has since evolved into one of the most iconic venues in world racing. Its continued development, year-round race meetings, and non-racing events reflect the rich heritage and legacy it proudly upholds. In 2017, Ascot Racecourse Supports was launched as an initiative to integrate charitable and community programs with the venue’s ongoing operations.
The race week will commence on Tuesday, 17th June, with seven races scheduled for the day. The card features a combination of Group 1, Group 2, and Listed races, reinforcing the prestige of the meeting. The racing begins at 2:30 PM and concludes with the final race at 6:10 PM.
Opening the day’s proceedings is the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at 2:30 PM. This race was first run in 1840 in honour of Queen Anne, who was instrumental in establishing racing at Ascot. Originally run as the Trial Stakes, the race was elevated to Group 1 status in 2003. It is contested over one mile and is open to horses aged four years and older. The race carries a prize fund of £750,000. The eleven confirmed contenders are Cairo, Carl Spackler (supplemented), Dancing Gemini, Diego Velazquez, Docklands, Lake Forest, Lead Artist, Notable Speech, Quddwah, Rosallion, and Sardinian Warrior.
Following this, the Group 2 Coventry Stakes will be run at 3:05 PM. It offers a prize purse of £175,000 and is contested over six furlongs. Open to two-year-olds, the Coventry Stakes has long been a key event for showcasing juvenile talent. The race, which was inaugurated in 1890, is named after the Ninth Earl of Coventry.
At 3:40 PM, the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes will take centre stage. This race, open to horses aged three years and older, carries a cash prize of £650,000. It was originally introduced as the Stand Plate in 1837 and has undergone multiple name changes before being renamed last year in honour of King Charles III. The race is run over a five-furlong sprint distance and has drawn an impressive field of 26 confirmed runners, including Aesterius, American Affair, Asfoora, Balmoral Lady, Believing, Bucanero Fuerte, Estepona, Flora Of Bermuda, Frost At Dawn, Jasour, Kerdos, Magnum Force, Manaccan, Mgheera, Monteille, Night Raider, No Half Measures, Prime Art, Regional, Rumstar, Starlust, Storm Boy, Tropical Storm, Twilight Calls, Washington Heights, and West Acre.
The Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes will follow at 4:20 PM. This race is restricted to three-year-old colts and is contested over one mile with a prize purse of £650,000. The eleven contenders for this race include Field Of Gold, First Wave, Henri Matisse, Jonquil, Officer, Opera Ballo, Rashabar, Ruling Court, Scorthy Champ, Shadow Of Light, and Windlord.
The fifth race of the day, the Group 2 Ascot Stakes, will be run at 5:00 PM. This handicap race is for horses aged four years and older and will be contested over a distance of two miles and four furlongs. First run in 1839, the race tests the stamina of each runner and offers a total prize fund of £110,000.
At 5:35 PM, the Listed Wolferton Stakes will be held. This race is for horses aged four years and older and is run over a distance of one mile and two furlongs. With total prize money of £120,000, the race was first introduced in 2002 to commemorate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee during the extended Royal Ascot meeting.
The final race of the day will be the Copper Horse Stakes, a Class 2 handicap for horses aged four years and older. It will start at 6:10 PM and be contested over a distance of one mile and six furlongs. This race carries prize money of £110,000 and is expected to close the day’s proceedings on a high note.
With such a prestigious lineup of races, the opening day at Ascot is poised to deliver a memorable experience for all attendees. As the first of five consecutive race days, Tuesday’s fixtures set the tone for a week filled with world-class racing, unforgettable moments, and historic competition at one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Racegoers are in for a treat as Ascot’s June festival promises another chapter of glory in its storied legacy.
