Category: Horse Racing

The flat racing season is up and running and with less than two months until Royal Ascot, the anticipation is building. The best horses and jockeys from across the planet are set to go head-to-head in a festival packed full of world class racing.

If you’re joining us in our hospitality areas and are thinking about putting on an early bet or two, we’ve got you covered – here are the early favourites for all the key races at Royal Ascot 2024.

When is Royal Ascot?

It’s almost time for the classiest horse racing festival of the calendar. Royal Ascot gets underway on Tuesday 18th June, with punters dressing to impress while hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal family.

With five days of spectacular horse racing action to look forward to, you can enjoy it in style with our exclusive hospitality packages.

Day 1 – Tuesday 18th June
Day 2 – Wednesday 19th June
Day 3 – Thursday 20th June
Day 4 – Friday 21st June
Day 5 – Saturday 22nd June

Who are the favourites for the big races?

Queen Anne Stakes

The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 race and traditionally gets the festival underway. Triple Time rode to glory last summer but don’t expect that to happen again – there hasn’t been a repeat winner in this particular contest since Dean Swift completed a double in 1907.

The early favourite is Big Rock, who has been ridden by Aurelien Lemaitre in each of his last eight races. He’s yet to run this year but he came out on top in his debut Ascot appearance last October, triumphing in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Elsewhere, a Frankie Dettori favourite could do well. Frankel sire Inspiral has been paired with the legendary jockey for all but one of her career races. She’s won her last three, which included beating Big Rock by 1 ¼ lengths at Deauville last August.

Prince of Wales’s Stakes

With £1,000,000 in prize money, the Prince of Wales’s Stake is the most valuable race of the festival. The winning slice last year went to the team of Mostahdaf, who raced home first thanks to the guidance of Jim Crowley.

King of Steel leads the early betting after impressing as he won the 2023 Champion Stakes in Dettori’s triumphant final race on UK soil. Despite King of Steel’s pedigree, he came fifth in his final race of last year, with fellow Prince of Wales contender Auguste Rodin taking the glory.

In fact, Auguste Rodin has come out on top on four separate occasions when facing King of Steel. All eyes will be on their battle as they continue their competitive rivalry at Ascot. Elsewhere, Al Riffa is set to make his UK debut in the race, having come fourth in his season opener last weekend.

Ascot Gold Cup

One of the most iconic races in world horse racing returns to Ascot this year, and with it so does a former champion. Courage Mon Ami raced to glory a year ago and is looking to do so again this time around.

The last repeat winner of the Gold Cup was Stradivarius, who completed three in a row back in 2020. Like Stradivarius, Courage Mon Ami was ridden to glory by Dettori. But with the Italian now enjoying life across the pond, the John and Thady Gosden star will have a new rider.

Courage Mon Ami last ran at York back in August and is likely to come up against stablemate Gregory at Ascot, who won the Queen’s Vase at the festival in 2023 before coming third in the St Leger at Doncaster.

While there’s a long way to go before the race, the current market favourite is Kyprios, who won the Gold Cup in 2022. He made a winning return at Queenstown last weekend and is expected to go well this year.

Kyprios only raced twice in 2023 but enjoyed great success the year before. He won all six of his races with Ryan Moore, including the Ascot Gold Cup, as well the Goodwood Cup, where he saw off the challenge of four-time winner Stradivarius.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Khaadem stole the spoils in this race last time out. Looking to claim the crown for the first time is Chain of Lightning, who leads the betting having won two of her four outings so far this year.

Dettori rode Kinross to seventh in this contest last year, having come eighth in 2022. The gelding will be looking to challenge this time and may see his fortunes change under new stewardship.

Meanwhile, Art Power will also be competing in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. He won the British Champions Sprint Stakes last time out, edging rival Kinross by a neck – he’ll be looking to continue his fine form here.

They say the first sign of spring is the emergence of daffodils but for sports fans, it’s the start of the Cheltenham festival. Horse racing’s biggest event returns next month, with thousands of excited punters set to flock to Gloucestershire for the four-day event.

Ahead of the famous festival, we’ve taken an early look at all the key races and which horses are likely to be contenders.

When is Cheltenham?

The festival gets underway on Tuesday 12th March and if you want to see the world’s finest racehorses from the best seats in the house, you can make the most of our exclusive hospitality packages.

Who are the favourites for the big races?

Cheltenham Gold Cup

One of horse racing’s most iconic races returns to Cheltenham next month and reigning champion Galopin Des Champs is the favourite to retain his crown. Paul Townend rode the star to glory last year and the pair are in good form having secured a second successive Irish Gold Cup last week. Willie Mullins is looking to win the Gold Cup for the fourth time having secured back-to-back victories with Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020.

Their likeliest competitor is Fastorslow, who has got the better of Galopin Des Champs twice in recent months. But Fastorslow, who came second in the Handicap Chase last year, had no reply as he was left in Galopin Des Champs’ wake at Leopardstown over the weekend.

Shishkin is also targeting Gold Cup success and will look to race into form in the Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday. Nicky Henderson’s contender fell at the second last on his latest outing in the King George on Boxing Day. Meanwhile, Bravemansgame and Conflated return to the field having finished second and third in the Gold Cup a year ago.

Champion Hurdle

Just like the Gold Cup, the reigning champion is back to defend their title in the Champion Hurdle. Having won it last year, Constitution Hill and Nico de Boinville will reunite and they’re in strong form following a dominating performance in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

But State Man is out for revenge. Mullins’ horse came second to Constitution Hill last year and will be desperate to make amends this time around. The seven-year-old has won all four of his races since, including the Irish Champion Hurdle last weekend.

Zanahiyr did well to finish third in last year’s event but is unlikely to threaten again, while Mullins’ Lossiemouth could challenge.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

Another pair of rivals will go head-to-head in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in the form of El Fabiolo and Jonbon. The pair finished first and second in last year’s Arkle, with Mullins’ El Fabiolo coming out on top by 5 ½ lengths.

Ridden by Townend, he’s the favourite to go all the way again having won all three of his races since, including the Dublin Chase. Meanwhile, Jonbon is well practised against his opponents. He’s seen off challenges from fellow Champion Chase contender Edwardstone twice recently, while he suffered a narrow defeat to Elixir De Nutz last month.

Energumene has been victorious in the last two editions of the Champion Chase but will be denied the chance of a hat-trick having been ruled out through injury.

Stayers’ Hurdle

Sire Du Berlais was the shock 33/1 winner in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle, ridden by Mark Walsh. The 12-year-old will run again this time around but is unlikely to repeat the feat.

Stablemate Teahupoo was third that day and is the favourite to come out on top this time. Gordon Elliott’s prospect has only run twice since the Stayers’ a year ago, winning just once. However, that victory came at the expense of Impaire Et Passe, who would have been among the favourites if he was racing this year.

With the winter months closing in, for horse racing fans that marks the return of one thing. Jump Season. That’s right National Hunt racing is back and it will bring the return of some of the biggest horse racing festivals this country has to offer. From Cheltenham to Aintree, trainers from all over the UK and Ireland will be bringing their fastest horses in the hope that they can win some of the UK’s most prestigious meetings.

So what meetings will there be?

The first big festival of the 2023/24 season will be Cheltenham Festival held from the 12th March until the 15th March 2024. With four days of scintillating races, the non-stop action will have fanatics on the edge of their seats all week.

Fancy watching it in hospitality? Engage Hospitality offer a package for each of the four days where you can dine in the presence of some of the sport’s greats while watching the racing from the VIP suite. An incredible atmosphere with a large Irish support party as well as other horse-racing lovers travelling from all over Britain to join the celebrations of one of the most anticipated events in the racing calendar.

The second big festival, and arguably the biggest of them all, the Grand National at Aintree. A three day event with the main race falling on the Saturday afternoon. This year’s event will take place from the 11th April until the 13th April and will see ‘The World’s Greatest Steeplechase’ as millions will tune in to watch.

With Engage Hospitality’s multiple packages on sale, you will find yourself spoilt for choice. Engage are offering hospitality including the Tiger Roll Suite the Horse and Groom both with views of the parade ring and the Sunloch Restaurant with views of the iconic racecourse.

What about this season’s favourites?

Now if you’re planning on attending any of these memorable meetings this Jump Season you’ll want to know which horses to keep an eye on. Here are just a few who you might want to consider putting your money towards.

First up is one of the star novice hurdlers from last season, Inthepocket. Trained by Henry de Bromhead, Inthepocket had his big win last season at Aintree as he was victorious over Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle. He will certainly be one to watch throughout the season and could be a contender at both Cheltenham and once again Aintree.

Of course, you can’t dismiss the 2023 Grand National winner Corach Rambler as a favourite once again for this season. Piloted by Derek Fox, it was a three length victory for Corach Rambler over Vanillier. Trainer Lucinda Russell said she was likely to aim him once again at the Grand National this season and was confident that he would be able to turn his early season poor form around by April.

As mentioned last year’s runner-up Vanillier could be another contender for the Grand National. Gavin Cromwell will be determined to avenge his heartbreak from last season and will hope for a victory in this year’s event. It remains to be seen who will be jockey for Vanillier again this year, however, if it is to be Sean Flanagan, he will be just as keen as Cromwell to go one better than 2023.

Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow is another favourite for both the Grand National and Cheltenham festivals. The seven year old horse boasts an impressive 2023 with a 5th place, 2nd place and a victory at Punchestown. The horse was also runner up to Corach Rambler in the Cheltenham Old in a field of 23 runners. Brassil will be determined to beat Lucinda Russell’s horse at both events this season.

You can’t have a favourites list without including Constitution Hill. Described as one of the best hurdlers of all time, Constitution Hill is unbeaten throughout his hurdling career. After winning the 2023 Champion Hurdle, there is no doubt he has cemented his position in the argument as one of the greats. With that said, trainer Nicky Henderson knows he needs to add the Gold Cup to his collection to be considered as one of the best, however, it’s safe to say he will be one to watch throughout the 2023/24 season.

So there you have it, a wonderful prospect of some exciting racing on show in Spring 2024. Treat yourself and spend it with Engage Hospitality and witness the most iconic races from the luxury of the best seats in the house.

Hold your horses, the flat racing season isn’t quite done yet! The Ebor Festival gets underway this week, with four days of elite racing taking place at the iconic York Racecourse.

The Ebor was first held in 1843 and is one of the last major flat race meetings of the season. And if the prestige of the event isn’t enough to get you in the mood, it’s also one of the last opportunities to see legendary jockey Frankie Dettori in action.

The Italian has enjoyed many incredible moments at the festival, with his first Group 1 winner coming way back in 1993. He also rode Enable to victory in the Yorkshire Oaks in both 2017 and 2019.

As we look ahead to another spectacular event in York, we’ve put together all the information you need to enjoy this year’s Ebor Festival.

Ebor Festival 2023 schedule

Wednesday 23rd August – Juddmonte International

The first day at the Ebor Festival sees York’s richest race of the season, the Juddmonte International Stakes, take place. Dettori will be looking to win the Group 1 contest for a record sixth time as he stands in for Jim Crowley aboard Mostahdaf.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of other top races to look forward to, with the Voltigeur Stakes immediately following the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on a jam-packed opening day.

1:50pm – Sky Bet & Symphony Group Stakes

2:25pm – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes

3:00pm – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes

3:35pm – Juddmonte International Stakes

4:10pm – Sky Bet Stayers Stakes

4:45pm – IRE Incentive, It Pays to Buy Irish Stakes – Fillies’ Handicap

5:20pm – Sky Bet Nursery

Thursday 24th August – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks & Ladies Day

Ladies Day takes place on day two and while spectacular outfits will be on display, all eyes will be on the Yorkshire Oaks. Savethelastdance and Bluestocking are going head-to-head again in the British Champions Series race, having finished first and second in the Irish Oaks last month.

Thursday kicks off with the Lowther Stakes, a Group 2 sprint over six furlongs, before the Premier Yearling Stakes gets underway.

1:50pm – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes

2:25pm – Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes

3:00pm – Clipper Stakes

3:35pm – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks

4:10pm – British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes

4:40pm – OR8wellness ebfstallions Nursery

5:20pm – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Stakes

Friday 25th August – Coolmore Nunthorpe

The key race to look out for on Friday is the Nunthorpe Stakes, which Dettori won for the first time on Lochsong 30 years ago. Last year’s winner Highfield Princess is the favourite to retain the crown this time around.

Elsewhere, look out for the Lonsdale Cup, a race Dettori has won on three of the last five occasions, as well as the Gimcrack Stakes, a Group 2 affair.

1:50pm – Sky Bet Stakes

2:25pm – Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup

3:00pm – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes

3:35pm – Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes

4:10pm – Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Stakes

4:40pm – British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes

5:20pm – Sky Bet Mile Stakes

Saturday 26th August – Sky Bet Ebor

The final day of the festival sees us go out in style with the Ebor Handicap, the most valuable flat handicap in Europe. The favourite this time around is Sweet William, who recently edged Dettori’s Adjuvant in the Coral Summer Handicap at Goodwood.

Day four kicks off with the Strensall Stakes, a Group 3 race that Dettori has won a record eight times. Elsewhere, look out for the City of York Stakes and the Melrose Stakes.

1:50pm – Sky Bet & Symphony Group Strensall Stakes

2:25pm – Sky Bet Melrose Stakes

3:00pm – Sky Bet City of York Stakes

3:35pm – Sky Bet Ebor

4:10pm – Sky Bet Constantine Stakes

4:45pm – Julia Graves Roses Stakes

5:20pm – Sky Bet Finale Stakes

Watch the Ebor Festival in style

With the flat racing season almost over, the Ebor Festival is one of your last chances to catch a glimpse of the best horses and jockeys in action. As ever, you can take advantage of Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages, with luxury private enclosures, food and drinks packages and plenty more.

Frankie Dettori once again steals flat racing headlines!

We’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is that Royal Ascot is done and dusted for another year. But the good news is you can relive all the highlights in our comprehensive round up of all the key races!

The royal meeting didn’t disappoint, with legendary jockey Frankie Dettori going out in style in his final Royal Ascot before he retires at the end of the season. If you missed any of the action, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

Royal Ascot 2023 Round Up

Day 1

The meeting started with the Queen Anne Stakes and Dettori almost immediately stole the show with Inspiral. The four-year-old finished well but ultimately lost out to 33/1 winner Triple Time by a neck.

Another outsider upset the odds in the King’s Stand Stakes as Bradsell pipped favourite Highfield Princess by a length. And in the St James’s Palace Stakes, Ryan Moore claimed his second of three day one winners with Paddington.

Dettori rode the king’s horse Saga in the Wolferton Stakes but he received a suspension for careless riding that could see him miss the Eclipse at Sandown next month.

The ban will only last for nine days so he’ll be able to ride in the July Cup at Newmarket, the only Group 1 race he is yet to win, and he’ll also be back in time for the Ebor Festival at York in August.

Day 2

The American dream was alive and well in the Queen Mary Stakes as U.S horse Crimson Advocate pipped Relief Rally to glory by a nose.

But the rest of the second day belonged to Irish horses as Daniel Tudhope and Rogue Millenium edged the Duke of Cambridge Stakes before Jim Crowley guided Mostahdaf home in the Prince of Wales Stakes.

Day 3

The script writers were in fine form on Ladies Day, with Dettori winning the Gold Cup for a ninth time. The Italian was on board Courage Mon Ami this time around and he said goodbye to the prestigious race in style, beating favourite Coltrane by a length.

The Italian is now just two Gold Cup wins behind Lester Piggott’s 11. Can he be tempted to postpone his retirement and hunt down the record?

Elsewhere, King Charles III had his first winner since taking the throne as Desert Hero claimed the George V Stakes. Yet despite Dettori and the king’s successes, day three’s headlines belonged to Rossa Ryan, who somehow won the Norfolk Stakes with 150/1 shot Valiant Force.

Day 4

Still riding high on his Gold Cup triumph, Dettori continued his winning streak on Friday with Porta Fortuna in the Albany Stakes and Coppice in the Sandringham Stakes. Having missed out on winning the Derby earlier this month, King of Steel took the King Edward VII Stakes ahead of Epsom rival Auguste Rodin.

Meanwhile, there was plenty of Group 1 action on offer as well. Shaquille raced to victory in the Commonwealth Cup while favourite Tahirya comfortably took the Coronation Stakes.

Day 5

Saturday saw the memorable meeting draw to a close in style, with even more shocks coming in the form of winners at huge odds. Namely, Khaadem and Jamie Spencer winning the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes at odds of 80/1 but after the week of racing we had witnessed, many may have thought that it was no longer a surprise!

It was very fitting that the week came to a close with Ryan Moore getting a win on favourite Dawn Rising in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, finishing up the great form he had been having all week.

Upcoming Horse Racing

Thankfully, there is still more to come in terms of flat racing over the summer. The next big meeting that we offer packages for here at Engage is the Ebor Festival at York racecourse towards the end of August, a prestigious race where Royal Ascot for historically holds up well!

So if it is some exciting flat racing or some of 2024’s biggest meetings that interest you, make sure to get in contact with us at Engage!

Saddle up, racing fans – it’s almost time for Royal Ascot 2023!

The meeting dates back to 1768 and has always been well attended by members of the royal family. This year’s event marks the first since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, meaning it will be King Charles III’s first Royal Ascot as our new monarch.

And while the crowds will eagerly be awaiting his arrival each day, it will also be their last opportunity to see racing royalty on the Berkshire track.

Frankie Dettori will ride at Royal Ascot for the final time ahead of his retirement later this year. The veteran jockey made history at the meeting back in 1996, winning all seven races on British Festival of Racing Day. Dettori also famously steered the legendary Stradivarius to a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins between 2018 and 2020.

Royal Ascot 2023 schedule

Tuesday 20th June

If you fancy some first class racing, look no further than day one. As ever, the royal meeting kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes, a Group 1 race named after the queen that founded the famous racecourse way back in 1711.

And the Group 1 races keep on coming, with the King’s Stand Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes also on the agenda.

2:30pm – The Queen Anne Stakes

3:05pm – The Coventry Stakes

3:40pm – The King’s Stand Stakes

4:20pm – The St James’s Palace Stakes

5:00pm – The Ascot Stakes

5:35pm – Wolferton Stakes

6:10pm – Copper Horse Stakes

Wednesday 21st June

Day two kicks off with the Queen Mary Stakes before the Group 1 action continues with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, where Luxembourg and Adayar are expected to go well.

Meanwhile, the mile-long Duke of Cambridge Stakes is also taking place, which no horse has ever won more than once.

2:30pm – The Queen Mary Stakes

3:05pm – The Kensington Palace Stakes

3:40pm – The Duke of Cambridge Stakes

4:20pm – The Prince of Wales’s Stakes

5:00pm – The Royal Hunt Cup

5:35pm – The Queen’s Vase

6:10pm – The Windsor Castle Stakes

Thursday 22nd June

Day three is traditionally the busiest day of the meeting and not just because it’s Ladies Day! All eyes will be on the track for the Gold Cup, with Coltrane and Eldar Eldarov going head-to-head for glory.

The famous race is one of the most prestigious in the world and is the first leg of the Stayer’s Triple Crown. Elsewhere, you can enjoy the Ribblesdale Stakes, whichgenerally features horses from the Epsom Oaks from a few weeks ago, as well as the Norfolk Stakes.

2:30pm – The Norfolk Stakes

3:05pm – The King George V Stakes

3:40pm – The Ribblesdale Stakes

4:20pm – The Gold Cup

5:00pm – The Britannia Stakes

5:35pm – The Hampton Court Stakes

6:10pm – The Buckingham Palace Stakes

Friday 23rd June

If you’re joining us on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot, you’re in for a treat! In the Commonwealth Cup and the Coronation Stakes we’ve got another two Group 1 races to look forward to.

Plus, the King Edward VII Stakes traditionally features horses that ran the Derby at Epsom earlier this month, where Auguste Rodin narrowly beat King of Steel.

2:30pm – The Albany Stakes

3:05pm – The Commonwealth Cup

3:40pm – The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes

4:20pm – The Coronation Stakes

5:00pm – The Sandringham Stakes

5:35pm – The King Edward VII Stakes

6:10pm – The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

Saturday 24th June

The Saturday at Royal Ascot is the last day of the meeting – but it is by no means the least. The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is the headline race of the day and it’s part of the Global Sprint Challenge alongside nine other races worldwide.

It follows the Hardwicke Stakes before the world’s longest professional flat race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, brings the curtain down on yet another magical week of racing.

2:30pm – The Chesham Stakes

3:05pm – The Jersey Stakes

3:40pm – The Hardwicke Stakes

4:20pm – The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

5:00pm – The Wokingham Stakes

5:35pm – The Golden Gates Stakes

6:10pm – The Queen Alexandra Stakes

Royal Ascot dress code

As you’d expect from the royal meeting, the dress code at Royal Ascot is fairly strict. The main thing to remember is to dress to impress, with all enclosures requiring guests to dress for a formal daytime occasion.

Queen Anne Enclosure

Ladies must wear a dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps. There is no minimum length but lace or chiffon fabrics are not allowed.

Trouser suits are also allowed, as long as they match in material and colour, as are jumpsuits that fall below the knee. A hat, headpiece or fascinator must also be worn.

Men are required to wear a full length two or three-piece suit with jackets and trousers matching in material. Morning dress is also permitted.

A collared shirt, necktie and socks that cover the ankle are mandatory. Cravats, bow ties and neckerchiefs are not allowed, nor are trainers, denim, leggings or shorts.

Village Enclosure

Those joining us in our ICON facility will have access to the Village Enclosure. For ladies, the dress code remains the same as the Queen Anne Enclosure. Sheer or strapless dresses and tops are not permitted and midriffs must be covered.

Gentlemen must wear a suit jacket or blazer, matched with a full length trouser or chino. A collared shirt and socks must be worn, along with a necktie, bow tie or cravat. As before, trainers, denim, leggings and shorts are not permitted.

Ladies Day dress code

While the dress code doesn’t officially change for day three of Royal Ascot, it’s traditionally known as Ladies Day. In between enjoying the racing and looking forward to the Gold Cup, all eyes will be on the outfits of all the lovely ladies in attendance.

Guests often use Ladies Day as an excuse to make a statement with their outfit, wearing extravagant hats, flamboyant dresses and dazzling jewellery.