Anne H.
Yelp
It would be wrong to refer to Royal Ascot as a business. Even though the Racecourse Administrators would view it in another light. Particularly during Royal Ascot week held in the middle of June each year. It is a must on the British Racing Calendar, as well as a national event where people who normally do not gamble tend to go into a bookies shop and place a wager. Royal is added to this meeting at Ascot because it's not only endorsed by the Queen and her Family going as far back as her Great Great (and Great again for good measure) Gandmother. But usually the Queen has one of her own horses in an event during that week and wouldn't miss the race meeting for all her Castles in the UK. Well, shall we say, half of them?
Thoroughbred horses from all over the world make an annual pilgrimage to this event. The prestige alone is worth the extravagant plane fare. It is the British equivalent to the USA's Breeder's Cup and the Australian Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival. In other words, huge prize money is up for grabs by horses who are top class at certain distances. IE; In recent years the sprint races have been dominated by the Australian horses. This year the most famous guest horse is the American, 'Animal Kingdom' winner of the richest race in the world, 'The Dubai Cup,' and the 'Kentucky Derby'. 'Frankel' was here for the first racing day last year and now the unbeaten 'Frankel' is retired. With the death of his trainer, the famous Sir Henry Cecil only last week, it could well make it a black armband day.
Apart from the millions of pounds on offer for the five day event, it is also a showcase for members of the 'Human Kingdom' to dig out their top hats and tails or Sunday best. Don't even think of wearing jeans unless you only want to go into the cretin's area way back from the REAL action in one of the back paddocks out there yonder. If you are DOWN there, the Queen may send a token smile in your general direction and maybe a Royal wave, as will all the other toffs, but as racing in the UK is still the 'Sport of Kings and wealthy Queens', if you are even thinking of going, make sure your Bank Robbery or Brinks Heist comes off first and someone directs you to Saville Row or Bond Street in London for the days attire. You'll need a great designer to attack your person with enthusiasm if you want to be noticed. Which is half the reason why thousands flock to the picturesque racecourse in the first place.
If you are a man and the tailor asks you which side you wear your pants, make sure you look that one up on Google first, rather than face certain embarrassment. Being a girl, luckily, I don't have to face such awkward questions. In the fashion stakes, a lass has better choices. A sharp hat or a bowl of fruit on your head is always a sure fire winner (without having to even place a bet) And any flirty skirt with a finely trimmed split in it, as long as you are wearing expensive shoes and other accessories, and that gets you down the straight and into the Winner's Circlea long with a winning smile. No shortage of English gentlemen waiting to open that door, either! For sure, men have to cover their derriere with suit tails if they want to be in the 'Elegant' Members Stand, but in a woman's case, given the figure, she can almost flash her rump without much, if anything, to cover it. The course officials have lightened upa tad. I understand now days you are permitted to even show off a shoulder blade. Or is that just too wicked?
This top class racing event is certainly a Fast Fillies game.
Like Barnam used to say to Bailey. 'We have the greatest show on earth!' No idle boast!
Will I give a tip for 2013? The King's Stand Stakes on the Tuesday will have no 'Black Caviar' in it this year. That unbeaten Australian Champion has since retired, but 'Shea Shea,' the South African Champion, is one fast four legged piece of work and should be favourite. Then again, the Aussies have 'Sea Siren' in the race at long odds and she, like 'Black Caviar' knows how to get to a winning post swimmingly with great alacrity, as she's no floater. My advice, you might have more fun watching this on Chanel 4, TV rather than being squashed in like a well dressed sardine, stuck in amongst thousands of boisterous, champagne fueled wanky-poos of horse loving revelers, as you only get to see what shorter people usually only hear. Whereas, the many cameras covering the track, probably gives you the best view of them all. It is up to you to brave the day's outing with BIG shoulder pads. Let's face it, the best thing that could happenyou could pick a winnerthe worstyou could loose those finely nipped and tucked pants!