Queen Elizabeth II had a lifelong passion for horses, and horse racing was a sport very close to her heart. The late Queen owned and bred many thoroughbred horses and His Majesty The King inherited them upon her death.
The jockeys riding His Majesty's horses can be identified by The King's racing colours: purple body with gold braid, scarlet sleeves, and black velvet cap with gold fringe – the same as those of Queen Elizabeth II and her father King George VI, as well as King Edward VII and George IV as Prince Regent.
Queen Elizabeth II shared her interest in horses with many members of her family. If you have a similar love of horses and racing then a visit to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead should certainly be on your bucket list. It’s home to not one but two racecourses: Royal Windsor Racecourse and Ascot Racecourse.
New to racing? Both racecourses offer visitors a wonderful day out with a superb mix of racing and fabulous entertainment. Scroll down for more information and check out a beginner's guide to racing to help you get the most out of the experience!
Royal Windsor Racecourse
Royal Windsor Racecourse is set in 165 acres of beautiful countryside on the banks of the River Thames – you can even arrive by boat from Windsor Promenade.
The course is a figure-of-eight shape and the whole site is actually located on an island.
Flat racing takes place here 27 times between April and October with a mixture of afternoon and evening race meetings including family days and themed days with musical entertainment.
Ascot Racecourse
It was Queen Anne in 1711 that first saw the potential for a racecourse at Ascot. Whilst out riding one day she came across an area of open heath and considered it “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch”.
Today Ascot Racecourse hosts 26 race days a year including the world-famous Royal Ascot meeting in June – a spectacle of fashion and style – which is attended every day by the Royal Family.
However, there is more to Ascot Racecourse than the Royal meeting. Racegoers can enjoy a mixture of flat and jumps racing throughout the year and race day entertainment including concerts, fireworks, food and drink festivals and Christmas shopping.
The beginner's guide to racing
We can't guarantee you a win but we can share some useful tips to help you get the best out of your day at the races!
Understanding the racing jargon, knowing what to look for in a racehorse and learning how to place a bet will enhance your experience! Find out more with Royal Windsor Racecourse's handy guide to racing and Ascot Racecourse's guide to placing a bet.
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