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Location | Ascot, Berkshire, England |
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Coordinates | 51°24′58″N 0°40′37″W / 51.41611°N 0.67694°W |
Owned by | Ascot Racecourse Ltd |
Date opened | 11 August 1711 |
Course type | Flat National Hunt |
Notable races | The Gold Cup |
Official website |
Ascot Racecourse is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, about 25 miles west of London. Ascot is used for thoroughbred horse racing, and it hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 horse races and three Grade 1 Jumps races.[1]
Ascot Racecourse is visited by approximately 600,000 people a year, accounting for 10% of all UK racegoers. The racecourse covers 179 acres (72 ha) leased from the Crown Estate and enjoys close association with the British Royal Family. Ascot was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne and located approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) from Windsor Castle. Queen Elizabeth II used to visit the Ascot Racecourse quite frequently.
Ascot currently stages 26 days of racing over the course of the year, comprising 18 flat meetings between April and October, and 8 jump meetings between October and March. The Royal Meeting, held in June each year, remains the highlight of the British summer social calendar. The prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is run over the course in July.