Everything you need to know about Royal Ascot 2025

After the thrills of the Epsom Derby over the weekend, the racing action keeps on coming. There’s just over a week to go until the return of Royal Ascot, where horses, jockeys and guests will all be trying their best to stand out from the crowd. 

The royal meeting has been held at the Berkshire racecourse for more than 250 years and has grown into one of the most iconic events on the planet. With five days of racing getting underway next Tuesday, here’s everything you need to know.

Royal Ascot race schedule 

Tuesday 17th June 

All eyes will be on the opening race of the week, The Queen Anne Stakes. The Group 1 contest was claimed by Silvestre de Sousa on Charyn last year – Rosallion is the current favourite to claim this year’s crown. 

2:30pm – The Queen Anne Stakes 
3:05pm – The Coventry Stakes 
3:40pm – The King Charles III Stakes 
4:20pm – The St James’s Palace Stakes 
5:00pm – The Ascot Stakes 
5:35pm – The Wolferton Stakes 
6:10pm – The Copper Horse Stakes

Wednesday 18th June 

With a prize pot of £1 million, The Prince of Wales’s Stakes is the joint-most lucrative race of the event and Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles will take some beating. 

2:30pm – The Queen Mary Stakes
3:05pm – The Queen’s Vase 
3:40pm – The Duke of Cambridge Stakes 
4:20pm – The Prince of Wales’s Stakes 
5:00pm – The Royal Hunt Cup 
5:35pm – The Kensington Palace Stakes 
6:10pm – The Windsor Castle Stakes 

Thursday 19th June 

While every race at Royal Ascot is a high-profile event, races don’t get much more prestigious than The Gold Cup. O’Brien is targeting a third winner in four years and will fancy his chances with Illinois.

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 20th June 

The Commonwealth Cup is the first big race of the day, with Shadow of Light leading the betting as it stands. Meanwhile, Lake Victoria is the favourite in The Coronation Stakes later in the afternoon. 

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 21st June 

The Saturday at Royal Ascot is the last day of racing but is by no means the least. Khaadem has claimed first in The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes two years on the trot. Who will claim the crown this time? 

2:30pm – The Chesham Stakes 
3:05pm – The Hardwicke Stakes 
3:40pm – The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes 
4:20pm – The Jersey Stakes 
5:00pm – The Wokingham Stakes 
5:35pm – The Golden Gates Stakes 
6:10pm – The Queen Alexandra Stakes 

Hospitality at Royal Ascot 

At such a prestigious event where dressing to impress is mandatory, why not enjoy the festival in style? Our exclusive hospitality packages cater for all of your needs, with space for all, whether you’re on your own, out with clients or entertaining a large group of friends. 

We offer more than 10 different hospitality options, including private boxes, luxury restaurants and our exclusive ICON facility. With ICON, you’ll be treated like a VIP from the moment you arrive. As well as unrivalled views of the racing action, you can enjoy all this: 

• Four-course lunch with selected wines 
• Complimentary bar 
• Welcome drinks reception 
• Cocktails and afternoon tea 
• Exclusive bar and garden area 
• Guest appearances from racing icons and tipsters 
• Complimentary race card and Racing Post 
• VIP Engage host service 

Royal Ascot dress code 

During the flat season, ladies often wear smart clothing and hats. For those attending Ladies’ Day on day three, why not go all out with an extravagant hat that really makes you stand out? 

Gentlemen are generally required to wear a jacket with a collared shirt and tie. However, dress codes may differ depending on the facility you’re in – please see the Ascot website for specific details on what to wear. 

How to get there 

Ascot Racecourse is just a stone’s throw from London, making it the ideal venue for a day out. Ascot station can be reached from London Waterloo in under an hour, while it’s also accessible from Reading and Guildford. 

The racecourse is only a seven-minute walk from the station, with directions clearly signposted. It’s also easily accessible by car, wherever you’re coming from. If travelling from London, the north or the midlands, exit the M4 at junction 6 and aim for the A332 Windsor bypass to Ascot. 

Meanwhile, those travelling from the south, east or west should head towards Bracknell and follow the signs to Ascot. There are plenty of car parks available at Ascot Racecourse – parking spaces can be pre-booked online. 

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