Ascot Racecourse has announced that the 2027 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be run for a record £2.5 million, the highest prize fund ever offered for a race in Britain. The increase comes during the week of this year’s £2 million renewal and follows a year of record financial performance, rising attendances and continued investment across the racecourse.
Ascot King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2027
The prize-money announcement reflects Ascot’s strengthening financial position after the racecourse reported a pre-tax profit of £10.55 million for the year ending 31 December 2025. Record revenues, growing race-day crowds and ongoing infrastructure investment have provided the platform for further increases in prize money across its racing programme.
This week’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be contested for £2 million, making it one of Britain’s richest races in 2026. The 2027 edition will raise that figure to £2.5 million, reinforcing the midsummer showpiece’s status among Europe’s leading all-aged contests and strengthening its appeal to international runners.
The announcement comes after another successful financial year for Ascot. Turnover rose by 4.8 per cent to a record £118.6 million, supported by strong performances in hospitality, admissions, sponsorship and retail catering. Gross profit also increased, while profit before tax improved by £2.1 million. EBITDA climbed by 14.2 per cent, helped by stronger operating performance and a business rates refund.
Ascot also continued to improve its balance sheet during 2025. A mandatory £3 million loan repayment followed repayments made during 2024, leaving the organisation with a net cash position of £10.4 million at the end of the year, compared with net debt twelve months earlier.
Race-day attendance also continued its upward trend. A total of 532,956 spectators attended Ascot fixtures during 2025, representing a 3.7 per cent increase on the previous year. Royal Ascot remained the racecourse’s flagship attraction, contributing significantly to both attendance and commercial performance.
Capital investment reached £4.8 million, funding the first phase of a new weighing room project alongside technology improvements, upgraded stabling facilities and enhancements designed to improve the visitor experience.
Ascot’s international profile also remained strong throughout 2025. Horses trained in Britain were joined by runners from Ireland, France, Germany, Norway, Japan, Qatar, Australia and the United States, while eight of the world’s top-ranked racehorses competed at the Berkshire venue during the season.
The healthy financial results have enabled Ascot to programme a record £19.4 million in prize money for its 2026 fixtures, excluding QIPCO British Champions Day. Across the racecourse’s schedule, 52 per cent of races in 2026 will carry higher prize money than they did the previous year, with further increases planned when the full 2027 programme is announced later this year.
The enhanced Ascot King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2027 purse is expected to strengthen the race’s international standing further, building on efforts to attract elite horses from Europe and beyond. Alongside other major British summer contests, the race continues to play a significant role in showcasing the country’s top-level Flat racing calendar.
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