Every year, there are two major reasons to look forward to the Thursday of Royal Ascot. This is not only Gold Cup Day, but Ladies Day too.
In 2021, Ladies Day is staged on Thursday, June 17 which is the third day of this prestigious meeting. Over the course of the five days of the royal meeting fashion is key, and never more so than on this day.
We have a complete guide for 2021 Royal Ascot Ladies Day. Find out the race schedule, past winners and race winning trends.
See Royal Ascot Ladies Day (Day 3) Betting Offers Here!
Royal Ascot Ladies Day 2021
It’s true that everyone dresses to the nines throughout Royal Ascot. But, on Ladies Day, this is where sartorial elegance reaches its peak.
Millions watch around the world to get a glimpse not only of the horses, but of what everyone is wearing. The suits, the hats, the fascinators. Everything fashion related is discussed just as much as who will win the Gold Cup.
The quality on the racetrack is hardly bad either. Once again, the day starts with no less than four Group races including the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup. These are swiftly followed by one of the best betting races and one of the toughest to solve – The Britannia Stakes.
Despite this being Ladies Day, men’s fashion has also kicked up a gear or two in recent times. Men are more flamboyant, supplementing their morning suits with colourful and up-to-date accessories.
There is a strong celebrity angle here too. Follow the cameras around the Royal Enclosure and you’ll see plenty from the worlds of TV and film, sport, music and even politics showing off their fashion sense.
Although midweek, it’s hardly surprising that of the five Royal Ascot days Thursday is the one with the biggest crowd. At least when there are no restrictions in place. Those spectating can choose from the Royal Enclosure, Queen Anne Enclosure, Windsor Enclosure or the Village.
For more, check out our Royal Ascot Enclosures Guide Here.
What Is The Royal Ascot Ladies Day Dress Code?
Even aside from an official dress code, this is high-profile stuff and you want to look good! Making a real effort in the fashion stakes is crucial on what is the social highlight of the year.
Up-to-date fashion, Ascot hats and sheer elegance are the buzz words here. On Ladies Day at Ascot, that applies to both men and women.
The dress code depends to a degree on where your tickets are for. To check out the dress code for each enclosure, take a look at our Royal Ascot Dress Code Guide Here.
How Much Do Royal Ascot Ladies Day Tickets Cost?
Once more, this depends on which enclosure you manage to get into. Prices for the Royal Enclosure are naturally the most expensive, the Windsor Enclosure and the Village being at the cheaper end of the scale. We have more on ticket prices for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot.
Ladies Day Races
The day starts with Britain and Ireland’s very fastest juveniles showing their speed in the five-furlong, Group 2 Norfolk Stakes. While we should always be on the lookout for whatever Aidan O’Brien runs, up-and-coming handler George Boughey is proving to be excellent with precocious two-year-olds too.
The Hampton Court Stakes is next for the three-year-old generation. This is a race which often attracts horses form the Derby who weren’t good enough, or didn’t stay the distance.
Things are cranked up a notch in the third. The Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes is essentially Ascot’s Oaks. Here, the three-year-old fillies run over a mile-and-a-half with crack Newmarket trainers John Gosden and Sir Michael Stoute always dangerous.
The it’s time for the big one. The Gold Cup is run over a mammoth two-and-a-half miles for the older horses. This race goes a long way to crowning the season’s champion stayer. For the past few years, that champion has been Stradivarius and the great horse is back to look for an incredible fourth straight Gold Cup win.
The Britannia Stakes is a very tough handicap. It is for the three-year-olds, so they’re all lightly raced and still learning. The King George V is similar, only over 1½ miles rather than a mile, while the seven-furlong Buckingham Palace Stakes handicap gets the job of rounding off the day.
List of races on Royal Ascot Day 3
- 2:30pm – The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)
- 3:05pm – The Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
- 3:40pm – The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)
- 4:20pm – The Gold Cup (Group 1)
- 5:00pm – The Britannia Stakes (Class 2 Handicap)
- 5:35pm – The King George V Stakes (Handicap)
- 6:10pm – The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Class 2 Handicap)
Royal Ascot Day Three Past Winners and Trends
Here we have a list of recent winners, starting prices and key trends for all Day 3 races.
Norfolk Stakes (Class 1 Group 2) 5f, 2yo
| Norfolk Stakes Recent Winners | Norfolk Stakes Key Winners Trends (last 12 years) |
|---|---|
| 2020 – The Lir Jet (9/2) | 12/12 were not favourite to win |
| 2019 – A’Ali (5/1) | 12/12 had at least 1 run beforehand |
| 2018 – Shang Shang Shang (5/1) | 10/12 ran in the last 34 days |
| 2017 – Sioux Nation (14/1) | 9/12 won last time out |
| 2016 – Prince Of Lir (8/1) | 9/12 were trained in Britain |
| 2015 – Waterloo Bridge (12/1) | 9/12 had at least 1 run over 5 furlongs |
| 2014 – Baitha Alga (8/1) | 8/12 were in the top 3 in the betting |
Hampton Court Stakes (Class 1 Group 3) 1m2f, 3yo
| Hampton Court Stakes Recent Winners | Hampton Court Stakes Key Winners Trends (last 12 years) |
|---|---|
| 2020 – Russian Emperor (10/3) | 12/12 had at least 3 previous runs |
| 2019 – Sangarius (13/2) | 12/12 had won at least once before |
| 2018 – Hunting Horn (5/1) | 11/12 were officially rated 103+ |
| 2017 – Benbatl (9/2) | 10/12 had run in the last 35 days |
| 2016 – Hawkbill (11/2) | 10/12 had at least 1 win over 1 1/4 miles |
| 2015 – Time Test (15/8 fav) | 8/12 had at least 2 runs that season |
| 2014 – Cannock Chase (7/4 fav) | 7/12 were in top 3 in the betting |
| 2013 – Remote (9/4 fav) | 5/12 won last time out |
| 2012 – Energizer (15/2) | 4/12 were favourites |
Ribblesdale Stakes (Class 1 Group 2) 1m4f, 3yo fillies
| Ribblesdale Stakes Recent Winners | Ribblesdale Stakes Key Winners Trends (last 12 years) |
|---|---|
| 2020 – Frankly Darling (11/8 F) | 12/12 ran within the last 48 days |
| 2019 – Star Catcher (4/1) | 10/12 had at least 2 runs that season |
| 2018 – Magic Wand (10/3) | 9/12 had at least 1 win that season |
| 2017 – Coronet (9/1) | 9/12 were in the top 3 in betting |
| 2016 – Even Song (15/8 fav) | 9/12 had at least 3 career runs |
| 2015 – Curvy (9/2) | 9/12 were officially rated 95+ |
| 2014 – Bracelet (10/1) | 6/12 won last time out |
| 2013 – Riposte (9/2) | 6/12 had at least 2 career wins |
| 2012 – Princess Highway (17/2) | 6/12 had at least 1 Group 1 |
| 2011 – Banimpire (3/1 fav) | 4/12 were favourites |
| 2010 – Hibaayeb (4/1 fav) | 4/12 had at least one run over 1 1/2 miles |
Ascot Gold Cup (Class 1 Group 1 British Champions Series) 2m4f, 4yo+
| Ascot Gold Cup Recent Winners | Ascot Gold Cup Key Winners Trends (last 12 years) |
|---|---|
| 2020 – Stradivarious (4/5 F) | 11/12 were aged 4-6 |
| 2019 – Stradivarius (1/1 F) | 11/12 raced within the last 53 days |
| 2018 – Stradivarius (7/4 fav) | 11/12 had at least 1 run that season |
| 2017 – Big Orange (5/1) | 10/12 had at least 8 career runs |
| 2016 – Order Of St George (10/11 fav) | 10/12 had at least 5 career wins |
| 2015 – Trip To Paris (12/1) | 9/12 were in the top 3 in the betting |
| 2014 – Leading Light (10/11 fav) | 9/12 were officially rated 117+ |
| 2013 – Estimate (7/2 fav) | 8/12 were favourites (though this includes greats Yeats and Stradivarious) |
| 2012 – Colour Vision (6/1) | 8/12 were winners last time out |
| 2011 – Fame And Glory (11/8 fav) | 7/18 – Won by trainer Aidan O’Brien |
Britannia Stakes (Class 2 Handicap) 1m, 3yo
| Britannia Stakes Recent Winners | Britannia Stakes Key Winners Trends (last 12 years) |
|---|---|
| 2020 – Khaloosy (9/2) | 12/12 had at least 1 career win |
| 2019 – Biometric (28/1) | 11/12 were not favourites |
| 2018 – Ostillo (10/1) | 11/12 had at least 1 run over a mile |
| 2017 – Bless Him (25/1) | 11/12 had at least 3 career runs |
| 2016 – Defrocked (13/2) | 11/12 had run at least twice that season |
| 2015 – War Envoy (10/1) | 10/12 had run in the last 35 days |
| 2014 – Born In China (14/1) | 10/12 had won at least once that season |
| 2013 – Beauty Flame (20/1) | 9/12 carried 8st 13lbs or less |
| 2012 – Fast Or Free (6/1 fav) | 9/12 were rated between 90 and 96 |
| 2011 – Sagramor (8/1) | 9/12 had at least 2 runs over a mile |
| 2010 – Ransom Note (9/1) | 6/12 were last time out winners |
| 2009 – Fareer (20/1) | 4/12 were in the top 3 in the betting |
King George V Stakes (Class 2 Handicap) 1m4f, 3yo
| King George V Stakes (Handicap) Recent Winners | King George V Stakes (Handicap) Key Winners Trends (last 12 years) |
|---|---|
| 2020 – Hukum (12/1) | 11/12 had run within the last 40 days |
| 2019 – South Pacific (22/1) | 11/12 had at least 3 career runs |
| 2018 – Baghdad (9/1) | 11/12 ran at least twice that season |
| 2017 – Atty Persse (7/1) | 10/12 had not yet won over 1 1/2 miles |
| 2016 – Primitivo (13/2) | 10/12 had at least 1 career win |
| 2015 – Space Age (9/1) | 9/12 were officially rated 88-94 |
| 2014 – Elite Army (4/1 jfav) | 8/12 won last time out |
| 2013 – Elidor (20/1) | 8/12 won last time out |
| 2012 – Fennell Bay (12/1) | 5/12 were in the top 3 in the betting |
Buckingham Palace Stakes (Class 2 Handicap) 7f, 3yo+
| Buckingham Palace Stakes Recent Winners | Buckingham Palace Stakes Key Winners Trends (last 7 runnings) |
|---|---|
| 2020 – Motakhayyel (14/1) | 7/7 were not favourites |
| 2014 – Louis The Pious (33/1) | 7/7 were priced at 12/1 or bigger |
| 2013 – Lighting Cloud (25/1) | 6/7 had at least 3 or more career runs over 7 furlongs |
| 2012 – Eton Forever (14/1) | 6/7 had at least 9 career runs |
| 2011 – Manassas (12/1) | 6/7 ran within the last 41 days |
| 2010 – Treadwell (14/1) | 6/7 had at least 2 runs that season |
| 2009 – Giganticus (12/1) | 5/7 were aged 5 or 6 |
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