We take a look at the facts and figures behind one of the most popular events in the sporting and social calendar.
VISITORS
- Attendance at Royal Ascot in 2014 was 285,831 (279,452 in 2013)
- 300,00 people were expected at Royal Ascot in 2015
HORSES
- There are 175 stable boxes at Ascot Racecourse to accommodate an average of 100 runners per day. Runners for the next day’s racing (approximately 60) are also accommodated
- 700 bales of shavings and 500 bales of paper are used for stable bedding over the week
- This year California Chrome, dubbed “America’s Horse” has been entered in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes
- Hailing from Hong Kong, Able Friend has travelled internationally for the first time to run in the Queen Anne Stakes
- Closer to home, Solow and Karakontie, French champion milers, the first a recent Group One winner in Dubai, the latter the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile in the U.S. are entered into the Queen Anne Stakes too
FOOD & DRINK
- This year the chefs responsible for the Royal Ascot’s fine dining experience include Michael Caines, Phil Howard, Raymond Blanc, Angela Hartnett and Henrietta Lovell. Between them they hold 7 Michelin stars
- 330 chefs will work across 12 restaurants and the 222 private boxes at Royal Ascot 2015, providing 35,000 covers
- At Royal Ascot 2014 racegoers enjoyed 51,000 bottles of champagne; 160,000 glasses of Pimms; 131,000 pints of beer; 5,000 kilos of salmon; 7,000 Cornish and Folkestone crabs; 2,900 lobsters; 2,400 kilos of beef sirloin; 3,700 rumps of English lamb; 10,000 Angus steaks; 89,000 bottles of mineral water and 42,000 bottles of wine
- 45,000 guests taking afternoon tea last year consumed 1,000 kilos of clotted cream along with 50,000 macaroons, 30,000 chocolate éclairs and 7,000 punnets of berries
- Across 88 bars and restaurants, a record 160,000 rounds of drinks were served in 2014.
- The Cheese on Toast outlet on the Grandstand lawns sold the equivalent in height of the London Eye (135metres)
TRANSPORT
- Approximately 400 helicopters and 1,000 limos descend on Royal Ascot every year
- There are nearly 14,000 spaces for cars to park each day
Tickets for Royal Ascot start from £27. Fine Dining starts from £250 per person + VAT. For further information and to book visit ascot.co.uk or call 0844 346 3000.