Ascot Racecourse is an English racecourse, located in the village of Ascot, Berkshire used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races, the same number as Newmarket. The course is closely associated with the British Royal Family, being approximately six miles from Windsor Castle, and owned by the Crown Estate.

Ascot today stages twenty-five days of racing over the course of the year, comprising sixteen Flat meetings held in the months of May and October. The Royal Meeting, held in June, remains a major draw, the highlight being the Ascot Gold Cup. The most prestigious race is the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes run over the course in July.

Course Description

Flat:

The Flat track at Ascot has recently undergone considerable reconstruction (2004/05). The straight mile course has been moved 42 metres north at the finish line. All of this new straight track has been constructed with a modern drainage system, above which topsoil mixed with sand has been placed as a level profile, upon which turf was laid. Added to this the road crossings on both the straight course and at the home turn have been removed and replaced with underpasses. This has created a level and more consistent racing surface the length of the straight course. The whole of the round course has been re-drained, achieving a consistent surface around the track. The home and Old Paddock bends have been gently cambered.
Ascot is a right-handed triangular track, just under one-and-three-quarter miles in length. The round course descends from the mile-and-a-half (2, 400m) start into Swinley Bottom, the lowest part of the track. It then turns right-handed and joins the “Old Mile” course, which starts at a separate chute 1, 600m from the finish. The course then rises to the right-handed home turn over a new underpass to join the straight mile course. The run-in of about three furlongs (600m) rises slightly to the winning post. The whole course is of a galloping nature with easy turns.


National Hunt:

The National Hunt course is on the inside of the Swinley Course. This is run right handed and is approximately 1 mile 6 furlongs in length. The course is galloping, with stiff fences and an uphill finish. One complete circuit has 10 fences, two of these are open ditches and there is one water jump.

Facilities:

Betting:

Tote facilities are available in every area with bookmakers situated in front of the Grandstand in the Grandstand and Silver Ring enclosures.

Parking:

At non-Royal meetings, Parking costs £6 per vehicle, either on the day or booked in advance. Free Car parking is only available in Car Park 6 (excluding Royal Ascot, De Beers Diamond Day and September Festival Saturday). During Royal Ascot, parking costs £14-£18 for cars, £45 for limousines, £45 for minibuses, £50-80 for coaches.

Children:

A free supervised crèche is available for seven year olds and under. Baby changing facilities are available in all three Enclosures. On selected days, Ascot also provides a variety of entertainment and attractions to appeal to all ages - from jazz bands to jugglers and face painting to fairground rides.
Ascot launched a new club in April 2003 the 'Colts & Fillies Club' dedicated to young racegoers aged 16 and under. The clubs aim is to make the sport more accessible, interesting, educational and fun! It is free to join and there are over 600 members who enjoy the activities that are planned throughout the year specifically for them.

Disabled:

Ascot offers disabled parking spaces, wheelchair hire, access to all Enclosures and designated viewing areas. There is an Access Officer who can make any special arrangements and to assist with any queries, both in advance and on the day of the race meeting. There are raised viewing areas adjacent to the running rail in front of the Grandstand and over looking the Paddock. Car parking facilities for disabled customers are available.

Fixtures:	Saturday 22nd January 2011 Saturday 19th February 2011 Sunday 10th April 2011 Wednesday 27th April 2011 Friday 6th May 2011 Saturday 7th May 2011 Tuesday 14th June 2011 Wednesday 15th June 2011 Thursday 16th June 2011 Friday 17th June 2011 Saturday 18th June 2011 Friday 8th July 2011 Saturday 9th July 2011 Friday 22nd July 2011 Saturday 23rd July 2011 Sunday 24th July 2011 Saturday 6th August 2011 Saturday 3rd September 2011 Friday 30th September 2011 Saturday 1st October 2011 Saturday 15th October 2011 Saturday 29th October 2011 Friday 18th November 2011 Saturday 19th November 2011 Friday 16th December 2011 Saturday 17th December 2011
Draw Advantage:	No significant advantage.
Contact:	Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berks. SL5 7JN. 01344-622211 Ticket Booking Line: 0870 727 1234 Sales Fax: 0870 460 1238
Directions:	Travelling to Ascot: Ascot Racecourse is ideally situated in beautiful wooded countryside adjoining Windsor Great Park and about 50 minutes’ drive or train journey from London. Located close to the M3, M4, M40 & M25 motorways, and to Heathrow for international visitors, Ascot offers easy access for all racegoers wherever their departure point. By road: From London and the North • M4 Junction 6 onto the A332 Windsor bypass and follow the signs to Ascot From the West • M4 Junction 10 on the A329(M) signed to Bracknell and follow the signs to Ascot From the South and East • M3 Junction 3 onto the A322 signed to Bracknell and follow the signs to Ascot From the Midlands • M40 southbound, Junction 4. Take the A404 towards the M4 (Junction 8/9). On theM4 head towards Heathrow/London. Leave M4 at Junction 6 and follow A332 Windsor by-pass to Ascot. NB: Please note that a one-way system is in operation around the racecourse during Royal Ascot that is best approached from the North. All visitors are advised to arrive as early as possible and before 12.00 midday at the latest during Royal Ascot week to avoid delays. By rail: There is a frequent service to Ascot from both Reading and London Waterloo. The average journey time is 27 minutes from Reading and 46 minutes from Waterloo. Regular services also run from Guildford. The railway station is a seven-minute walk from the racecourse.
Website:	http://www.ascot.co.uk