Races

ROYAL ASCOT: 12,000 racegoers set to be welcomed across five-day showpiece

Next month’s Royal Ascot meeting will welcome a total of 60,000 racegoers across its five days

Published

2 months ago

May 26, 2021

Dominic Chapman

D8G2CH Ascot Racecourse stand, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom.

Royal Ascot has been selected as part of the Events Research Programme to represent horse racing as a pilot event in the welcoming back of crowds at major sporting occasions, the course has confirmed.

Originally, the intention was to host a third of new figure between the dates of 15th and 19th June.

But the Berkshire track, which hosts its feature event taking place just over a week after the Epsom Derby Festival, said in a statement that the prestigious fixture will welcome 12,000 racegoers across each of its quintet of days next month.

Epsom Downs and racecourse grandstand,Surrey — *Epsom’s Derby Festival will welcome a small number of racegoers in just over a week, with general admission for the event sold out*

In an announcement on Wednesday morning, the course said: “Ascot Racecourse, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Racecourse Association (RCA) announce today (26th May) that Royal Ascot (15th – 19th June) has been selected to be part of the Events Research Programme (ERP) on behalf of the sport.

An aerial view of Ascot Racecourse with the main stand prominent — *The 2020 edition of Royal Ascot was held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic*

“Whilst the precise detail of what will be trialled and what the requirements from visitors to the racecourse will be remains work in progress, it is confirmed today that 12,000 people will be admitted each day to Royal Ascot.

“As details are confirmed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and following input from Public Health England and Ascot’s Safety Advisory Group, they will become available on this website.”

*Football’s FA Cup final was the biggest attended event in the UK during the coronavirus era*

The biggest outdoor event in the United Kingdom since the easing of restrictions was the FA Cup final at Wembley between Leicester City and Chelsea earlier this month.

And BHA chief executive Julia Harrington told of her delight as to how racing can safely and securely hold a covid-safe pilot as the roadmap to a restrictive-free style of living continues.

WATCH: CLEONTE’S ROYAL ASCOT SUCCESS IN THE QUEEN ALEXANDRA WAS THE LAST CONTEST AT THE EVENT THAT WAS WITNESSED BY A CROWD [CREDIT: AT THE RACES]

“It’s excellent news that Ascot will be included in the Events Research Programme as a pilot event.

“It’s an opportunity to demonstrate how racing events are perfectly suited to safely hosting spectators in greater numbers as we progress through the government’s roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions.”