Royal Ascot: Dates, Big Races, Winners and Betting Guide
Five days of Group 1 racing and royal tradition every June. Here are the big races day by day, recent Gold Cup winners, the history and how to bet on Royal Ascot.
Royal Ascot day by day
There are eight Group 1 races across the week, each worth at least £700,000 in 2026.
Opening day
- Queen Anne Stakes
- King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)
- St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1)
Day two
- Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)
Gold Cup Day
- Gold Cup (Group 1, about 2m 4f), the meeting’s most prestigious race
Day four
- Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
- Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
Final day
- Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Record crowds
- 294,541 racegoers over the week, up 2.8%
- Every race worth at least £120,000
Recent Gold Cup winners
Aidan O’Brien won two of the last three runnings.
| Year | Gold Cup | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Scandinavia | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2025 | Trawlerman | William Buick | John & Thady Gosden |
| 2024 | Kyprios | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien |
Royal Ascot facts and history
Betting on Royal Ascot
Offers to look for
For big festivals, many bookmakers run race-day extras such as Best Odds Guaranteed (if the starting price is bigger than the price you took, you are paid at the bigger price) and extra each-way places on the big handicaps. Terms change for every race, so always read the terms in the app before you bet.
See our promotions guide for how each type of offer works.
Going to the races?
You can bet on course with the bookmakers in the ring and on the pool, or on your phone. Read our course guide for Wi-Fi, cash machines and how to get there, and our guide to betting at the racecourse.
Which app should you use for Royal Ascot?
Compare UK racing apps by their real App Store, Google Play and Trustpilot ratings.
Royal Ascot FAQs
When is Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot runs for five days, Tuesday to Saturday, usually in the third week of June. In 2026 it ran from 16 to 20 June.
What day is the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot?
The Gold Cup is run on the Thursday of Royal Ascot.
Who won the 2026 Gold Cup?
Scandinavia, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O’Brien.
How much prize money is there at Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot 2026 was worth £10.65m in prize money, up from £10.05m in 2025.
How many people go to Royal Ascot?
294,541 people went to Royal Ascot over the five days in 2026.
Sources: Wikipedia: Royal Ascot · Wikipedia: Ascot Gold Cup · TDN: Ascot prize money 2026 · RCA: 2026 attendances. Facts checked October 2026; dates and race details can change, so check with the racecourse before you go.
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