Royal Ascot festival to contribute £140m to UK economy

The Royal Ascot festival, described as the greatest flat racing festival in horse racing, has commenced, drawing thousands of attendees dressed in formal attire. The five-day event features 35 races with a record-setting total prize pot of £19.4 million. Over 300,000 fans are expected to attend, with the course set to serve 38,000 hospitality covers. Ascot Racecourse CEO Felicity Barnard highlighted the event's significance as a 'tapestry of experience' and a showcase of 'all things Britain'. The festival is projected to contribute £140 million to the UK economy and support nearly 2,000 jobs. Barnard also indicated that the racecourse is considering pooling media rights with other prominent international racing events.

Day one of the festival includes seven races, starting with the Queen Anne Stakes at 2:30 pm. The strict dress code requires gentlemen in the Royal Enclosure to wear top hats and tails, while fascinators are mandatory for ladies.