The Ascot Racecourse, a brief history
The Royal Ascot dates back around 300 years and is without a doubt one of the very few sporting venues with a highly diverse and rich history. Throughout the years, Royal Ascot has succeeded in getting itself acknowledged as a National institution and the
brightest highlight of the British calendar as well as being the undisputed platform for the display of talent of the best racehorses in the world.
It was back in 1711 that Queen Anne came up with the idea of a race course at Ascot. The very first race on the course was held on 11th August 1711 which was open for mare or gelding aged six or above however that event was not even the slightest
reflection of the way races are held today but the Queen Anne Stakes are still contested for in the memory of the monarch.
In 1813 the Ascot racecourse was made open for the public by the Parliament. The concept of a Royal Meeting was not really introduced rather evolved with time but the very first meeting took place in 1768. It started taking the form and shape like today’s
events after the introduction of the Gold Cup in 1807. It was only till 1939 that the racecourse was restricted for the Royal Ascot only.
The administrative end of Ascot was handled on behalf of the Crown by a representative selected by the Monarch as it was founded by the Queen and is even located on the Crown's property.
It was in 1901 that Lord Churchill was chosen as His Majesty’s representative to be responsible for the management of the racecourse.
1913 saw some drastic changes as the Ascot Authority got established by an Act of Parliament. This placed His Majesty’s representative as the Chairman of the Authority, turning the clerk of the course into a Secretary. Now it even had a proper hierarchy
with a Chief Executive and departmental directors.
It stayed as a private company until 2001 as in January 2002 its status got converted into Ascot Racecourse Limited that now has Her Majesty as the owner and breeder of the racehorses, showing profound interest in the races.
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