Royal Ascot, one of the UK’s premier horse racing festivals, returns from June 17-21 with a packed five-day schedule featuring top-tier Group 1 races such as the Queen Anne Stakes, Gold Cup, and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. The event is renowned not only for its high-stakes racing but also for its fashion, highlighted on Ladies’ Day (Thursday), where attendees showcase glamorous and vibrant attire. The festival will be broadcast live on ITVX and ITV1, making it accessible to a wide audience.

This year’s Gold Cup, held on Ladies’ Day, features notable runners including the favorite Illinois from Aidan O’Brien’s stable, alongside contenders like Trawlerman and Candelari. With the retirement of two-time champion Kyprios, the competition is wide open. The festival boasts a total prize fund of £10.05 million, matching last year’s record, with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II’s Stakes offering the highest purses at £1 million each. All Group 1 races guarantee at least £650,000 in prize money, underscoring the event’s prestige.