Ascot Horse Races

The Royal Meeting, held in June, is arguably the biggest event at Ascot with the highlight of the meeting being the Gold Cup.

Also known as Royal Ascot this meeting features much pomp and ceremony alongside the racing, including the Queen arriving via horse and carriage, which adds to the prestige of this historical racecourse.

The Royal Meeting at Ascot is one of the sport’s biggest and greatest festivals and with the popularity of Royal Ascot growing year on year the great news for racing fans is that you can watch all of the from Royal Ascot live online via our Ascot races live streaming partners.

Both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes are run in July and remain the prestigious races to be run at Ascot racecourse.

Notable Races Run At Royal Ascot

Starting in the 2011 season, the course has staged the culmination of the European Elite flat racing season which is known as the British Champions Day, which features the best of the best when it comes to flat racing.

This special day of racing see’s the crowning of the Champion Jockey, the Champion Apprentice, the Champion Trainer, and the Champion Owner.

The day features a host of group 1 listed races and with a big crowd in attendance, it has become one of the highlights of the season.

Notable Races Run On British Champions Day

You can also click on the bookies in the table above for all the info you need.

As one of the countries, and the worlds, leading race courses, the action doesn’t fail to live up to the surroundings at Ascot as the racecourse is also home to many of the sports greatest races and biggest meetings.

The great thing for race lovers is that the action continues to come from Ascot, with flat racing throughout the summer months and jump racing throughout the winter. The even better news for fans is that no matter how big or small the meeting is and no matter how big or small the race is you can watch all of the action live online via our Ascot Races live streaming partners.

The Royal Ascot Festival maybe one of the highlights of the race calendar in the UK but the track remains popular throughout the year. The course is always thought highly of by jockey’s and trainers alike, so many send their top horses to the track even for smaller runs and it is also a great place to see young up and coming horses who are destined for greatness.

It used to be the case that it was either difficult to watch live racing from Ascot, in other words you had to go down the nearest bookies and sit in small and depressing shop all day long or you needed an expensive subscription to a pay TV channel showing horse racing live. Thankfully those days are long gone, and you can watch each and every race from Ascot live online via your computer or connected device.

All of the Ascot racing live streaming services we feature here at GGTV are 100% legal and 100% safe to use so never miss a race again.

With some of the biggest races on the calendar taking place at some of the biggest festivals of racing, it is no surprise that so many fans are looking to watch racing from Ascot and the great news is that it has never been easier to watch along live.

Each and every race from the famous course can be watch live via the live streaming services of the online bookmakers that feature on this page.

Whilst there is a wagering requirement that must be met to watch racing from Ascot, the chances are that if you are interested in watching live action from the course, you are also interested in betting on Ascot races, so why not choose a great bookie that also allow you to watch along and to cheer home your horse as it hopefully goes onto win?

If you have already placed a bet with a bookie that doesn’t show you the action live, make sure your next bet is with one of the bookies featured on this page that do.

A significant milestone came in 1768, when the first four-day meeting was held at Ascot. Extending the programme helped establish the event as a substantial fixture rather than a single-day attraction. Over time, the meeting developed into the prestigious Royal Ascot gathering known today.

The first permanent building at the racecourse was erected in 1793 by Windsor builder George Slingsby. The structure could accommodate approximately 1,650 people and remained in use until 1838. Its construction represented an important improvement in spectator facilities, providing a more permanent alternative to temporary arrangements.

In 1813, an Act of Parliament ensured that Ascot Heath would continue to be used as a public racecourse. This measure was significant because it secured the land for racing and provided a firmer foundation for the venue’s future. As Ascot developed, the combination of royal support and public access helped preserve its role within British racing.

1807–1825: The Gold Cup and the development of Royal Ascot

One of the most important races in Ascot’s history is the Gold Cup, which was first run in 1807. The inaugural contest helped establish the meeting’s reputation for high-quality racing and introduced a race that would become synonymous with stamina and sporting excellence. The Gold Cup remains a centrepiece of Royal Ascot, now contested over two miles and four furlongs.

The formal royal identity of the meeting developed during the early nineteenth century. In 1825, King George IV helped establish the traditions that shaped Royal Ascot’s distinctive character. The royal procession, in which members of the Royal Family arrive in horse-drawn carriages, became an enduring feature of the event.

King George IV also commissioned architect John Nash to improve the Royal Stand. Plans for a new structure followed in 1822, reflecting the importance of providing suitable facilities for royal guests and invited spectators. The resulting developments helped distinguish Ascot from other racecourses by combining racing with formal ceremony and royal hospitality.

The nineteenth century: Royal traditions and sporting development

During the nineteenth century, Ascot continued to expand its facilities and strengthen its place in the British racing calendar. Queen Victoria made her first visit as monarch in 1838. To mark the occasion, a new race over a mile and a half was introduced, which became known as the Queen’s Vase. The race remains part of Ascot’s history and reflects the continuing influence of royal patronage on the meeting’s development.

Improvements to the course included changes to the racing surface, trackside rails and spectator stands. A new grandstand opened in 1839, providing additional capacity and improved viewing facilities. These developments reflected the growing popularity of organised racing and the increasing expectations of spectators.

Royal Ascot’s traditions also evolved during this period. The Royal Enclosure developed into a particularly exclusive area for the monarch’s guests and invited visitors. Its formal arrangements helped establish the dress and social customs that remain closely associated with the meeting today.

As horse racing became more professional, Ascot’s programme continued to develop. The course became an important venue for high-quality flat racing, with contests attracting horses bred and trained to compete at the highest level. The Gold Cup and other established races helped reinforce its reputation as a major destination for racing enthusiasts.

The twentieth century: Expansion and modernisation

The twentieth century brought substantial changes to Ascot Racecourse. In 1913, the Ascot Authority was established under legislation, providing a more formal structure for the management and development of the venue. This helped support the long-term administration of the racecourse and its facilities.

Ascot’s reputation continued to grow as the racing industry developed internationally. The racecourse hosted increasingly important contests, attracting leading horses and jockeys from Britain and overseas. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, first run in 1951, became one of the principal events of the summer flat racing season. Contested over a mile and a half, it allows three-year-olds to compete against older horses and has produced many celebrated champions.

Another important change came in 1965, when Ascot began hosting National Hunt racing. This made the venue a dual-purpose racecourse, offering both flat racing and jump racing. The winter programme introduced additional opportunities to watch horses compete over hurdles and fences, broadening Ascot’s appeal beyond its famous summer meetings.

The development of National Hunt fixtures also established important winter highlights, including the Clarence House Chase, Long Walk Hurdle and Ascot Chase. These contests test different aspects of jumping ability, stamina and tactical judgement, providing a contrasting experience to the speed and positioning associated with flat racing.

2004–2006: A major redevelopment

One of the most significant projects in Ascot’s modern history was its major redevelopment in the early twenty-first century. The racecourse closed for extensive rebuilding work after the 2004 Royal Ascot meeting, allowing the facilities to be transformed to meet modern expectations.

The redevelopment cost approximately £200 million and included the construction of a new grandstand and substantial improvements to spectator facilities. The project aimed to create a modern environment while preserving the traditions and identity that had made Ascot famous.

Queen Elizabeth II officially reopened the redeveloped racecourse on 20 June 2006, at the start of that year’s Royal Ascot meeting. The opening marked a new chapter in the venue’s history, combining contemporary architecture, improved hospitality and modern viewing areas with more than 290 years of racing tradition.

The redevelopment also supported Ascot’s role as a venue for events beyond racing. The racecourse’s facilities have enabled it to host conferences, celebrations and other functions throughout the year, broadening its contribution to the local economy.

Ascot Racecourse today

Today, Ascot Racecourse remains one of Britain’s leading sporting venues, staging a varied programme of flat and National Hunt racing. Royal Ascot is its best-known event, attracting international attention for its championship races, royal procession, fashion and hospitality. The meeting has expanded over time and is now held across five days in June.

The modern racecourse also hosts the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July and British Champions Day in October, alongside its winter jump racing programme. These fixtures ensure that Ascot remains an important destination throughout the year rather than a venue associated with a single summer event.

Its history reflects the development of British horse racing itself, from Queen Anne’s original vision in 1711 to today’s international sporting calendar. Permanent stands, royal traditions, new championship races and major redevelopment projects have all contributed to its evolution.

For visitors, Ascot offers the chance to experience more than three centuries of sporting heritage while watching some of the finest horses in training. Whether attending Royal Ascot for the fashion and ceremony or visiting a winter meeting for the jumping, racegoers become part of a tradition that has survived changing tastes, generations of champions and considerable technological progress. The hats may have become more elaborate and the facilities considerably more comfortable, but the essential appeal remains unchanged: outstanding horses, skilled jockeys and the thrill of finding out who reaches the winning post first.