Thirsty racegoers are tipped to sink a record 70,000 bottles of bubbly at Royal Ascot this week as eye-popping hats stole the show on day one. Bookies reckon punters will smash previous records during the five-day festival, with the World Cup helping fuel the celebrations.
Previous meetings have seen around 65,000 bottles necked. Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, said: “Royal Ascot is one of the biggest social events of the summer and with the World Cup also underway, all signs point to a record amount of champagne being consumed this week.”
The famous Berkshire meeting officially got under way on Tuesday (June 16) as King Charles and Queen Camilla led the traditional carriage procession through cheering crowds. Newlyweds Peter and Harriet Phillips made their first major royal appearance since tying the knot earlier this month, while Zara and Mike Tindall were also among the glamorous racegoers.
But Zara nearly missed out on the action after reportedly being stopped by a security guard who failed to recognise the King’s niece. She was directed towards the ticket office before colleagues quickly stepped in to clear up the mix-up.
Charles and Camilla will also be hoping for success on the track this week, with several horses carrying the Royal colours during the meeting. While the champagne is expected to flow, organisers are hoping racegoers will not melt in the heat after dozens were struck down during last year’s scorching festival.
A total of 42 people needed treatment for heat-related illnesses and one person was taken to hospital when temperatures climbed to almost 30C during last year’s meeting. With the mercury expected to soar again later this week, Ascot bosses have installed more than 1,500 square metres of additional shade and rain cover, nearly 1,800 extra seats and 25 hydration stations across the course.
A giant circular shelter previously used at Belgium’s Tomorrowland music festival has also been brought in to help keep racegoers cool. Spokesman Will Aitkenhead said the extra seating was added following “customer feedback from last year”.
