Royal Ascot revellers gearing as much as social gathering because it’s revealed to be price £264.5m annually
The legendary Royal Ascot meeting has become one of Britain’s biggest sporting and social events. A new study found it supports nearly 4,000 jobs and delivers huge benefits all round
It’s become one of the biggest sporting and social events(Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)
Kings, queens, celebrities and racing fans will pour into Royal Ascot this week – and experts say the famous meeting is now worth a staggering £264.5million to Britain.
The five-day cash cow spectacle, which starts on Tuesday (June 16), has become one of the country’s biggest sporting and social events. A new study found the Berkshire showpiece supports almost 4,000 jobs and delivers huge benefits to hotels, restaurants, transport firms, retailers and other businesses.
Professor James Reade, of Reading University, said: “The evidence demonstrates that Ascot functions not only as a racecourse, but as a nationally significant economic asset, an international ambassador for British heritage and culture, and an important contributor to community wellbeing.”
Visitors travelled from 76 countries to attend the meeting last year. Overseas racegoers pumped almost £50million into the economy through spending on hotels, restaurants, transport and shopping.
The event’s popularity also extends to almost every corner of Britain. Ticket buyers came from nearly three-quarters of all UK postcodes, underlining Ascot’s appeal far beyond racing’s traditional heartlands.
Researchers said Royal Ascot now ranks among the country’s most recognised sporting occasions. The famous meeting is broadcast into more than 180 territories worldwide and reaches an estimated 580 million households.
That puts its global audience alongside major events such as Wimbledon, The Open Championship and the Grand National. The report also highlighted Ascot’s charitable work. Its community programme supports more than 7,000 people and generates more than £700,000 of social value every year.
As ever, much attention will centre on the powerhouse yards of Aidan O’Brien, Charlie Appleby and the Gosden operation, whose runners traditionally peak for the meeting.
Early ante-post discussion has highlighted horses such as Talk Of New York for the St James’s Palace Stakes, while staying enthusiasts are already debating Gold Cup prospects including Al Nayyir.
Among the riders, the established stars remain impossible to ignore. Ryan Moore heads into the festival with a formidable Royal Ascot record, while Oisin Murphy, James Doyle and William Buick look set to dominate the biggest races. Buick, in particular, continues to boast an enviable strike rate on market leaders at the meeting.
