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For many owners, this week is the highlight of the racing season – Royal Ascot.

Five days of top class racing action, unrivalled racecourse facilities and superb prize-money. Add to that this year’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the presence of The Queen, and it is perfection.

With the world’s best thoroughbred, Frankel, in the Queen Anne Stakes, the start of the royal meeting couldn’t be better on a day that features three Group 1 races.

Wednesday could see a royal winner, with Her Majesty’s Carlton House in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The last time The Queen celebrated a Royal Ascot victory was in 2008.

Fashions will be very much to the fore on Ladies’ Day on Thursday. The first and second in last year’s Ascot Gold Cup – Fame And Glory and Opinion Poll - renew their rivalry again in what is always a thrilling race.

Friday’s races include the Coronation Stakes when the English and Irish Guineas winners, Homecoming Queen and Samitar, take on each other again. The King Edwards VII stakes could go the way of Derby third Astrology.

And so to Saturday and all of Australia will be cheering on the unbeaten mare Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls makes his Royal Ascot debut with American Trilogy in the Queen Alexandra Stakes!

*ROA members can enjoy a heavily discounted hospitality package, with places still available on Wednesday and Thursday.

The exclusive ROA facility is in a fabulous location in the Grandstand admission enclosure, in the Old Paddock Chalets, situated in front of the triple decker marquee on the curve of the track after the winning post, and has a head-on view down the course.

The fine dining package price includes admission (which can be deducted if members already have Royal Enclosure or Owners Badges), parking, racecard, a Champagne reception, four course lunch with half a bottle of wine per person, and afternoon tea.

There is televised viewing, as well as Totepool facilities, and a cash bar will operate until 30 minutes after the last race.

19 June 2012