THE QUEEN has given her approval to a permanent change in the Royal Ascot schedule.
An extra race will be added to each day’s action for the first time in the hope of raising further income for the industry.
It means there will be seven races on each afternoon of the five day meeting instead of six.
It’s hoped the extra race will bring in more betting turnover as punters attempt to find a winner, and in turn increase the amount the sport raises through the Levy.
The Levy largely funds the sport by taking a cut from bookmakers offering odds on British racing and at a time the industry is desperate for cash as crowds remain absent, the move will be welcomed across the sport.
The racing is still set to start at 2.30 each afternoon, meaning the Queen will not need to arrive any earlier in her carriage but it’s likely that the last race will now be run after 6pm.
Last year the Copper Horse Stakes, the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes and the Golden Gates Stakes were added to the programme and the Buckingham Palace Stakes was reinstated. These races have all been retained.
Her Majesty has also approved the naming of the Kensington Palace Stakes, a new handicap to be run over the Old Mile for four-year-old and upwards fillies and mares.
Sir Francis Brooke Bt., Her Majesty’s Representative at Ascot, said: “A positive that we drew from Royal Ascot 2020 was that the additional races presented more opportunities to participate and that this had been widely welcomed by owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys.
“We are delighted to be able to make this change permanent.”
Nick Smith, Director of Racing at Ascot, added: “The concept of extended cards last year was well received, and we are very pleased to be able to offer additional opportunities to the horsemen community, the public, broadcasters and media going forward.
“At this time, more than ever, the increased opportunity to win prize money and to generate more levy and domestic and overseas betting income is crucial.
“Following consultation with the BHA, we decided to remove the two reserve races and bring in another high-quality handicap, as we are actually reducing the number of races run by one from last year, where eight races were staged on the Saturday.
“It occurred to us that the Old (round) Mile course is only used twice during Royal Ascot and another race on this track would add to the variety on offer.
“Last year’s extended cards were only possible by reducing some field sizes slightly, and because no overnight stabling was allowed under Covid-19 protocols.
“In order that field sizes can go up to their maximums again and with overnight stabling extremely important, we have commissioned extra temporary stabling to be built to the required high BHA standards.
“Royal Ascot is constantly evolving and has benefited from many recent race additions and promotions and we are excited that the week will now be bigger and better for everyone.”
But Smith would not be drawn on the likelihood of any crowds returning in a significant number.
Prior to Christmas the course had hoped to welcome punters back for the first time but had to scrap the plans at the last minute and understandably the course are unable to predict how the latest wave will effect the chances of paying crowds.
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