Details have been released for how you can take part in this year’s Royal Ascot which, for the first time in its history, is taking place behind closed doors.
Throughout the week, which runs from Tuesday 16th until Saturday 20th June, there will be plenty for groups to take part in from home and fans are encouraged to don their finest hats and brightly coloured outfits to mark the occasion.
As well as featuring 36 races over the five days on Sky Sports Racing and ITV Racing, group organisers can head to the Royal Ascot website for various activities and entertainment including sing-along celebrations, jockey workouts and celebrity chef recipes. There are even downloadable Union Jack bunting so fans can set the scene at their own homes, hanging bunting and creating their own flags to wave.
Sharing all of this with people in your group could be a fun way to enjoy this highlight of the British sporting calendar.
Many of the activities will have a fundraising element to them in aid of those affected by Covid-19. Ascot has donated £100,000 to the fundraising page to kick-off the campaign.
Highlights for how to get involved with your group
Dress up for the occasion and share your photos: during the week on the online hub there will be hat-making tips from top milliners so your members can make their own at home.
Ascot is running an at-home fashion challenge #StyledWithThanks encouraging people to dress up for the occasion, share a photo and donate to the fundraising page.
Make your own ‘Royal Ascot’ treats at home: no Royal Meeting week would be complete without afternoon tea. In 2019, a staggering 240,000 hand-crafted afternoon tea cakes were served along with 220,000 finger sandwiches, 120,000 buttermilk scones, 80,000 cups of tea and 1,200kg of clotted cream. For Royal Ascot At Home the racecourse will share its secret recipes to enable enthusiasts to create their own VIP tea.
Executive Chef Gemma Amor and Head Chef Ben Dutson have prepared a downloadable shopping list along with step-by-step recipes demonstrating how to recreate ‘quintessentially Royal Ascot’ treats, from classic cucumber sandwiches to victoria sponge and buttermilk scones.
Enthusiasts can also find step-by-step guides for savoury favourites including confit of salmon with cucumber, cauliflower & horseradish sauce from legendary Royal Ascot ‘Chef In Residence’ Raymond Blanc OBE.
Compete against each other with a Royal Ascot quiz: test your knowledge of the races, seeing how your members do. There’ll also be various competitions and prizes up for grabs throughout the week including Porsche driving experiences at Silverstone, a helicopter ride and Royal Ascot 2021 tickets and packages.
Nominate somebody to receive a special call: fans will be able to nominate friends and family on the Ascot website to receive a phone call from a racing legend or personality at some point during the week, including Frankie Dettori, Ed Chamberlin and Hollie Doyle, bringing a taste of the Royal Meeting directly to those who may be isolating alone or would benefit from a friendly call from a familiar racing face.
Juliet Slot, Ascot’s chief commercial officer, said: “During these unprecedented times when we aren’t able to welcome our usual 300,000 guests to the Royal Meeting, we want as many people as possible to enjoy the magic of the Royal Meeting from home.”
“It will be a unique experience, like no other, for us all.”
“We hope everyone will embrace the many wonderful activities and interactive challenges we have lined up on the Ascot website, in the lead up to and during the event, as well as tuning into all the live racing action on television.”
There will also be archive footage released daily marking the moment when the Royal Procession commences and image galleries showcasing fashion and sport photography captured over previous years will be updated every day featuring work by some of Britain’s most famous sports and society photographers.
Additionally, each day there will be different Ascot Signature Serve cocktail with recipes cards available to download in advance including the Royal Ascot Blush and Monkey Went To Ascot.
For all the information about how to take part and the full running order of races and how to watch them, visit: www.ascot.co.uk/royal-ascot-at-home
Register your interest for Royal Ascot 2021 (15th - 19th June), here: www.ascot.co.uk/royal-ascot-2021
