Royal Ascot Festival Betting 2023 – The Ultimate Guide

The Royal Ascot Festival is, without a doubt, the most revered horse racing event in Great Britain. It sets the stage for the most refined horses and talented riders. The motto behind this event, “Like nowhere else,” tells it like it is. Racegoers tremendously enjoy attending this festival. The best part is that it takes place every year in mid-June. Therefore, horse race enthusiasts and punters have something to look forward to each year.

Royal Ascot Free Betting Tips

History of the Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot has come a long way. Its first race meeting took place in 1768.  However, it did not draw much attention until 1807, when the organizers introduced The Gold Cup.

Queen Anne had officially launched the racecourse on which this event takes place in 1711. She was riding from Windsor Castle when she stumbled upon an open area.  She looked at it and said, “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch.” The same year, a thrilling horse race took place in the newly opened racecourse.

The racecourse remained bare until 1793, when a Windsor builder, George Slingsby, constructed the first building. The building could house 1650 people, and racegoers would use it for the next five decades.

The parliament enacted an Act in 1813.  In this new piece of legislature, people could only use the Ascot Heath as a racecourse. And since then, this racecourse has been home to the Royal Ascot Festival. Over the years, the Royal Ascot has only become bigger and better.

And as of today, most horse race lovers wait for this event with immense anticipation. Organizers promise that the 2021 Royal Ascot Festival will be action-packed.

Royal Ascot Festival Racecourse

The Royal Ascot racecourse is one of a kind. One of the qualities that makes it unique is that it is a dual course. This magnificent racing paradise is in Ascot, Berkshire, London. Every year, it hosts 500,000 people.

The racecourse sits on 179 acres of land. Over the years, it has enjoyed a cordial relationship with the British Royal Family. Besides being founded by Queen Anne, the incumbent Queen Elizabeth II likes to attend the Royal Ascot festival.

How to get to the Royal Ascot Racecourse

There are various ways in which you can get to the Royal Ascot festival. In this section, we have listed the most convenient.

Train

Once you get to London, you could opt to take a train from Waterloo to the Ascot; the entire journey will only take 1 hour and 17 minutes. There are plenty of intriguing things to look at when you are on the train. So, it should be a fun experience.

Bus

If you like to travel in a road-trip style, you can take a coach to the Royal Ascot. National Express organizes trips to the Royal Ascot every year. It would be best if you got in touch with them earlier to plan for your trip.

Taxi

Those who don’t like driving but still want to get to the Ascot by car can board a taxi. There are lots of taxi services that offer services to racegoers. Finding one should not be challenging.

Car

Travelling by car to the Royal Ascot is another convenient option. From London, it will only take you one hour.  The racecourse offers around  8000 parking spaces, but attendees are advised by the management to book a space in advance.

Enclosures

If you are to attend the Royal Ascot festival, you have to know which enclosure suits you. In this section, we are going to tell you more about each enclosure and what it offers.

Windsor Enclosure

The Windsor enclosure is ideal for large groups, and those who choose it get the first view of the Royal Procession. It provides a calm and relaxed environment for racegoers with plenty of dining options, beautiful lawns, and live music. The dress code is not specific; racegoers have the freedom to choose daywear.

In terms of food and refreshments, attendees can expect on-the-go eateries and full-service bars. You can also book picnics in advance and collect them on the race day.

Royal Enclosure

The Royal Enclosure is the most prestigious. It is a members-only section where a new applicant requires sponsorship from two members living in the same residential area.

There is a dress code for all the racegoers who wish to occupy this enclosure. Attendees can dine in luxurious eateries. The packages available at the Royal Enclosure include the Panoramic Restaurant and the Parade Ring. Car parks 1 and 2 are exclusively for members who have been attending this occasion for the last ten years.

Village Enclosure

The village Enclosure welcomes attendees with live music. Racegoers enjoy pop-up bars and delicious street food. Also, anyone who chooses this section gets an outstanding view of the centre of the racecourse.

The dress code is less formal. And the audience is free to have a good time at the Gazebos in the village and the exquisite Villiers Club.

Queen Anne Enclosure

The Queen Anne Enclosure puts you in the centre stage of the action. Racegoers in this section enjoy Parade Ring viewing, Home Straight race viewing, and access to the Grandstand. However, they are only allowed on the ground floor of this stand.

The dress code for the Queen Anne Enclosure is formal. Racegoers are allowed to make their fashion choices and statements. Those who choose this enclosure can expect the best culinary, bars, and restaurants.

The Royal Ascot Festival Betting

Most people who like to attend the Royal Ascot have the opportunity to bet on horse races. If you are an avid punter, this event presents you with a chance to make some profit. You can bet while at the racecourse, on your smartphone or computer from the comfort of your house.

With over 36 races and plenty of betting options in the 2021 Royal Ascot, bettors will be spoilt-for-choice.

Is it legal to bet on the Royal Ascot?

Betting on the Royal Ascot has been legal for years. There are authorised bookmakers who set up stands at the venue. Aside from that, most reputable online bookmakers offer betting services on the Royal Ascot. And as long as you are of age, you are free to bet.

How to bet on the Royal Ascot Festival

Betting on the course

Punters have the option to bet on the racecourse. Bookmakers set up their betting shops at the Grandstand and display various odds. Betting in this shop is as straightforward as betting online. All you need to do is read the horse names on the racecard, select your bet type, and convey this information to the shop attendant.

The betting shop attendant gives you a bet slip as the confirmation of your bet. Keep your bet slip intact because you will need it to claim your win if luck is on your side. Nonetheless, the minimum stake for any selections at the course starts at £5.

Ante-post betting

Ante-post betting is all about wagering on the horses of your choice in advance. So long as bookies have released the odds, you can bet weeks or even a month before the Royal Ascot. This type of betting tends to have higher odds that continue to fluctuate as the race days approaches. With the right strategy, you stand a chance to win big.

As a horse race punter eyeing the Royal Ascot, you need to understand that ante-post betting is the riskiest type of betting. Why? A lot can change before the race; for instance, a particular horse can pull out due to various issues. It would be best if you bet with a bookie that offers a non-runner money back option. In case your horse does not show up, you get your stake back.

Betting on the tote

The Royal Ascot has plenty of tote betting facilities. They have a unique system that is much different from the usual fixed-bet system. The bookmaker takes their cut and puts all the other bets in one pool. Winners then share the prize money from a particular pool. With tote bets, you can win a lot less or more from the same bet.

Betting on the exchanges

Unlike traditional betting, betting exchanges allow betting against your fellow punters at the Royal Ascot. In this form of betting, the odds can be much higher than you will ever get with regular betting. The best part is that punters can still place a bet even after the race has started.

Special bets

Most bookmakers that cover the Royal Ascot provide a section for special bets. The objective is to offer something different from the usual each-ways and win bets. These are the likes of Top Royal Ascot jockey, Top Royal trainer, and so on.

Royal Ascot Bet Types

Win

The win bet has always been the simplest type of bet. All you need to do is back the winning horse. If you get it right, the prize money is yours.

Place

A place is one of the most popular ways of wagering on the Royal Ascot. You only need to identify one horse and back it to finish in the first or second place.

Each-way

Each-way is another lucrative mode of betting.  In this bet, you target the win and the place dividend. If you get both predictions right, the place bonuses and win money prize are yours.

Pick 4

Also known as the superfecta, the pick four-bet type requires you to select the horses that will finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. For you to win, your picks should be in the exact order.

Futures

Future bets are also known as ante-post. The idea behind them is placing your bets in advance. For instance, the Royal Ascot takes place in June, but bookies provide the markets early. If you bet for any horse in May, then that is a future bet.

Quinella

Quinella is yet another straightforward bet; the bookie requires you as the punter to pick two horses. And then predict which one will finish first and second.

Exacta

The exacta bet is similar to quinella. But there is a slight difference. For example, when you pick two horses two finish in the exact order and stake £5, that is a quinella bet. With the exacta, you select the horse in the same order but place £5 on each box. The total stake becomes £10.

Trifecta

The trifecta bet requires you to predict the horses that will finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the exact order.

Quadrella

In the Quadrella bet, the bookie nominates four races and leaves the rest to you. All you need to do is predict the four winners in each race.

Treble

When it comes to the treble bet, you make three selections in a race bet. The bookie rolls the winning from the first bet to the second one. And returns from the second bet are rolled over by the bookie to the third bet. With this bet, you can win big.

Double

You will never find a simple multi-bet like the double bet.  A punter needs to pick two selections. Winnings from your first pick are rolled over to the second pick.

Royal Ascot Tote Superpools

The super tote pools are somewhat similar to standard pools. However, they are more prominent, and the prize money is massive.

Royal Ascot Survivor Bets

Think of the Royal survivor bet of a last man standing kind of a bet. Punters select the horses that they think will carry the day. Other bettors do the same, and you are all put in the same pot. As bets fail, the bookie eliminates bettors who lose early from the pool.

The last punter standing wins the prize money. All that needs to happen, is your selections to keep winning, while those of your competitors keep losing.

Best betting sites for the Royal Ascot Festival

If you enjoy betting on the Royal Ascot while on the go or from the comfort of your house, here are the best betting sites that you can try.

Bet365

Bet365 is a household name in the U.K and all over the world.  It covers the Royal Ascot extensively and provides lucrative odds from the event. This world-class online betting platform is everything you could ask for during the Roya Ascot. It is innovative and easy to navigate. Besides that, bettors can take advantage of the bonuses and promotions that this site offers on this exciting horse racing showpiece.

RaceBets

Over the years, Racebets has grown to become a leading online betting platform across the globe.  As its name suggests, this bookie gives priority to horse racing punters. That said, you would expect a bookie of its calibre to offer markets from the Royal Ascot festival.

True to their word, RaceBets provides a myriad of betting options from this event. With a state of the art betting website, you will undoubtedly relish every moment spent betting on RaceBets.

888sport

The popularity of 888sport as a premier sportsbook is undeniable. This could only mean that they indeed provide a fantastic betting experience. They are an all-round bookie that does not miss out on the opportunity to offer horse racing markets.

A few months before the Royal Ascot, you will find various ante-post betting opportunities on 888sport. Moreover, this betting company offers in-play betting during the Royal Ascot. You can place a bet on your favourite horse while watching the race from Windsor Enclosure.

Betfred

While crisscrossing the streets of online sports betting, you have probably heard of Betfred. This is a reputable bookmaker that provides a unique betting platform.

One of its highlights is horse race betting. Therefore, Betfred is keen to cover the Royal Ascot extensively. On top of that, they have a long list of bonuses and promotions throughout the year.

Other exceptional features at Betfred include cash-out, live streaming, bet exchange, and much more.

Betfair

Launched in 2000, Betfair has been serving millions of happy punters for two decades. Merging with Paddy Power, another betting giant in 2016 transformed it into a betting powerhouse. This site now offers a wide range of horse racing betting markets.

For horse race punters who are eyeing the 2021 Royal Ascot, Betfair is the ideal platform. You will have access to various bonuses, live streaming features, and in-play betting.

Betfair boasts of having an intuitive website with search options. They have optimized it for both big and small screens. When betting on your PC and mobile phone, you will notice that this platform is quite responsive.

How to watch the Royal Ascot Festival live

If you want to catch the live action from the Royal Ascot in the U.K, you can tune in to ITV or Sky Sports. They are the only two broadcasters who own the rights to show this iconic horse racing event.

When will the Royal Ascot Festival start?

The 2021 Royal Ascot festival will start in June. It will run from the 15th of June to the 19th of June.

What time does the Royal Ascot Festival start?

The gates of the Royal Ascot opens at 10:30 am. Racegoers then get the chance to enjoy breakfast and settle down. At 2:30, the much anticipated Royal Procession begins. It only takes 30 minutes and is quickly followed by the first race of the day at 2:30 pm. The last race takes place at 5:35 pm and the racecourse closes at 8:00 pm.

The Royal Ascot festival is a prestigious horse racing event that gives racegoers a chance to showcase their fashion, cheer on their favourite horses as well as bet on them. It takes place once every year, and it is a must-attend for avid racegoers. The chances that you will have the best times of your life at the 2021 Royal Ascot are guaranteed. 

ASCOT FESTIVAL 2021 RACES

DAY 1- TUESDAY 15TH JUNE 2021

The Buckingham Palace Handicap

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance: 7f

Purse: £35000

 

The Queen Anne Stakes

(Group 1)

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance: 1m

Purse: £250000

 

The Ribbesdale Stakes

(Group 2)

Age: 3yo fillies

Distance: 1m 4f

Purse: £110000

 

The King Edward VIII Stakes

(Group 2)

Age: 3yo colts & geldings

Distance: 1m 4f

Purse: £110000

 

The King’s Stand Stakes

(Group 1)

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance: 5f

Purse: £250000

 

The Duke of Cambridge Stakes

(Group 2)

Age: 4yo+ fillies & mares

Distance: 1mile

Purse: £100000

 

The Ascot Stakes

(Class 2 Handicap)

Age: 4-year-olds and more

Distance: 2miles 4f

Purse: £35000

 

DAY 2- WEDNESDAY 16TH JUNE 2021

The Silver Royal Hund Cup Handicap

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance:  1mile

Purse: £35000

 

The Hampton Court Stakes

(Group 3)

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance:  1m 2f

Purse: £60000

 

The King George V Stakes

(Handicap)

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance:  1m 4f

Purse: £60000

 

The Prince of Wales’ Stakes

(Group 1)

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance:  1m 2f

Purse: £250000

 

The Royal Hunt Cup

(Heritage Handicap)

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance:  1mile

Purse: £75000

 

The Windsor Castle Stakes

(Listed)

Age: 2 year olds

Distance:  5f

Purse: £40000

 

The Copper Horse Handicap

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance:  1m 6f

Purse: £35000

 

DAY 3- THURSDAY 17TH JUNE 2021

The Golden Gates Handicap

Age: 3-year-olds

Distance:  10f

Purse: £35000

 

The Wolferton Stakes

(Listed 3)

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance:  1m 2f

Purse: £60000

 

The Jersey Stakes

(Group 3)

Age: 3-year-olds

Distance:  7f

Purse: £60000

 

The Chesham Stakes

(Listed)

Age: 3-year-olds

Distance:  7f

Purse: £40000

 

The Ascot Gold Cup

(Group 1)

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance:  2m 4f

Purse: £250000

 

The Britannia Stakes

(Heritage Handicap)

Age: 3yo colts & geldings

Distance:  1m

Purse: £60000

 

The Sandringham Stakes

(Handicap)

Age: 3yo fillies

Distance:  1m

Purse: £60000

 

DAY 4- FRIDAY 18TH JUNE 2021

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

Age: 3-year-olds

Distance:  5f

Purse: £35000

 

The Albany Stakes

(Group 3)

Age: 2yo Fillies

Distance:  6f

Purse: £65000

 

The Norfolk Stakes

(Group 2)

Age: 2-year-olds

Distance:  5f

Purse: £50000

 

The Hardwicke Stakes

(Group 2)

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance: 1m 4f

Purse: £125000

 

The Commonwealth Cup

(Group 1)

Age: 3-year-olds

Distance: 6f

Purse: £250000

 

The Queen’s Vase

(Group 2)

Age: 3-year-olds

Distance: 1m 6f

Purse: £110000

 

The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes

(Handicap)

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance: 1m 4f

Purse: £60000

 

DAY 5- SATURDAY 19TH JUNE 2021

The Silver Wokingham Handicap

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance: 6f

Purse: £35000

 

The Queen Mary Stakes

(Group 2)

Age: 2-year-olds

Distance: 5f

Purse: £50000

 

The Coronation Stakes

(Group 1)

Age: 3yo fillies

Distance: 1 mile

Purse: £250000

 

The Coventry Stakes

(Group 2)

Age: 2-year-olds

Distance: 6f

Purse: £60000

 

The St James’s Palace Stakes

(Group 1)

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance: 6f

Purse: £250000

 

The Diamond Jubilee Stakes

(Group 1)

Age: 4-year-olds and above

Distance: 6f

Purse: £250000

 

The Wokingham Stakes

(Heritage Handicap)

Age: 3-year-olds and above

Distance: 6f

Purse: £75000

Related Reading

• Cheltenham Festival Betting 2021 Guide
• Epsom Derby Betting 2021 Guide
• York Ebor Festival Betting 2021