Monday 27 June 2011

Whyte, Take and Bowman form “strongest ever” Rest of the World Team for 2011 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

South African Doug Whyte, the record-breaking 10-times Champion Jockey in Hong Kong, will return to the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for the first time in five years on Saturday 6th August as Captain of the Rest of the World Team.

Whyte, 39, is nailed on for an 11th consecutive championship title when the season ends next month and remains the only jockey to ride 1,000 winners in Hong Kong. He will be joined in the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition by Japanese superstar, Yutaka Take.

Take, 42, has been crowned Champion Jockey in Japan on an unprecedented 18 occasions and has ridden an all-time record of well over 3,000 winners in his country, where he is revered as a sporting icon.

The third member of the team is Hugh Bowman, one of the top five jockeys in Australia who was crowned champion in Sydney in 2008-09. The 30-year-old is back in the UK for a short period riding for Mick Channon, with whom he spent a successful stint in 2007.

All three jockeys have excelled in past Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cups, making them a formidable combination for the Rest of the World Team this year.

Since it became an international jockeys’ competition in 2001, Whyte has ridden in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup three times (2002, 2003 and 2006), finishing second in the Silver Saddle table for the top jockey in 2003 when he rode two winners.

Take has taken part four times (2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008), finishing second in the Silver Saddle table in 2008 when he notched up two winners to add to the one he rode in 2007.

Bowman has ridden in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup once before, in 2007, when he made a huge impact, winning the Silver Saddle as the day’s top jockey (he rode a winner, a second, a third and fourth) and captaining the Rest of the World Team to victory with Take alongside him. That is the last time that the Rest of the World Team was victorious.

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of title sponsor Dubai Duty Free, said: “We are delighted to see such a strong contingent representing the Rest of the World.

“The competition for places in all the teams further endorses the growing profile of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and we look forward to seeing some of the world’s leading riders competing on one of the world’s greatest stages.”

Ascot’s Head of International Racing, Nick Smith, said: “This has to be the strongest and most experienced Rest of the World Team that we have ever assembled for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

“Doug Whyte and Yutaka Take are nothing short of legends in the Far East where they have broken every riding record, while Hugh Bowman is one of Australia’s very best jockeys and rode our tracks so well when he was here in 2007, taking that year’s Shergar Cup by storm.

“Ireland has won the Team competition for the last two years, but I’m sure the Rest of the World will make a bold bid for victory this year. We will be announcing the teams to represent Great Britain, Ireland and Europe in a few weeks’ time. ”

The six races will be followed by a two-hour 80s concert with a line-up including Jason Donovan, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Jimmy Somerville, Paul Young, Toyah, China Crisis and Altered Images.

It is Ascot’s best attended raceday outside the Royal Meeting with a crowd of around 30,000 expected. Tickets (Premier £40; Grandstand £26) can be booked in advance with a minimum 10% discount (higher discounts available for group bookings) at
ascot.co.uk or by calling 0870 727 1234.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Nick Smith, Head of Public Relations and International Racing, Ascot, 07771 791449

Thursday 23 June 2011

Betfair Summer Family Fun Day...spotlight on Scooby-Doo

On the 24th July a star studded line-up will be joining Scotty the Ascot Mascot as Ascot Racecourse hosts its 2nd Family Day of 2011, the Betfair Summer Family Fun Day. The day is a colourful spectacle that offers something for everyone, with a combination of thrilling racing action and free entertainment for the children. In the run up to the raceday, each week we are focusing on one of the TV characters that you'll get to meet and this week is the turn of Scooby-Doo.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! was initially created in 1969 and has been watched by millions of children for over 40 years. Shaggy, Fred, Velma, Daphne and Scooby-Doo travel around in their Mystery Machine van, solving any scary mysteries they come across. The producers have created numerous follow-ups and spin-off's of the animated series. It has become so successful that two blockbuster movies were produced enabling children to watch Scooby-Doo and his friends on the big screen! The latest instalment of Scooby-Doo was broadcasted on television in July 2010. We hope to see more of this lovable dog on our screens and you'll get the opportunity very soon to meet Scooby-Doo in person on Sunday 24th July. We look forward to seeing you there!

All activities, including face painting and fairground rides, are free of charge and ideal for the under 10's. Adult tickets to the Betfair Summer Family Fun Day start from £17 with a 10% saving if booked in advance and are available by calling 0870 727 1234 or by visiting ascot.co.uk.

Ascot’s Shergar Cup 1980s concert...spotlight on Toyah

Looking ahead to the spectacular 1980s Here and Now post Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup concert on Saturday 6th August, each week we are focussing on one of the acts performing in the concert and this week is the turn of Toyah.
Toyah Wilcox is an award-winning rock legend whose musical career exploded into the charts in 1981 with ‘It’s a Mystery’, followed by chart topping hits ‘Thunder in the Mountains’ and ‘I Want to be Free’. She has had 13 top 40 singles, recorded 20 albums and travelled the world entertaining her fans.

Toyah isn’t just well known for a successful singing career but has also composed music and become a well loved actress, staring in various dramas and children’s programmes. For those with ankle biters, her distinctive voice can be heard in the Teletubbies. She is currently working in collaboration with Bill Rieflin and Chris Wong on the band ‘The Humans’, which released its second album ‘Sugar Rush’ last year. Toyah’s career continues to flourish with new music releases and live concerts in the pipeline.

Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday 6th August, including the Here and Now concert, start from £26. To book, or for further information, call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk.

Win 2 Premier Admission tickets to the totesport.com Summer Mile Day on Saturday 9th July

Royal Ascot launched the British social scene for 2011 bringing tradition, pageantry, fashion and style to one of the most beautiful racecourses in the country, Ascot Racecourse. After a spectacular 5 days The Greatest Race Meeting in the World has now finished.

On Monday 20th June Wimbledon 2011 opened its doors for the 125th time to bring together some of the greatest tennis players of this time. To win 2 Premier Admission tickets to the totesport.com Summer Mile Day on Saturday 9th July, we want you to take a picture of yourself at Wimbledon with your Ascot umbrella up and send it to
facebook@ascot.co.uk. The weather wasn’t too good for Royal Ascot so we think you may need your brollies for Wimbledon too!

Terms and Conditions
1. Competition closes at 5pm on Sunday July 3rd.
2. Offer only open to followers of @AscotInsider on Twitter
http://twitter.com/AscotInsider and Fans of Ascot Racecourse on Facebook.
3. No cash alternative is available and all prizes are non-transferable and non-refundable. Tickets are not for resale and cannot be used for commercial use or use in further promotions.

4. Only 2 Premier Admission tickets per Twitter follower/Facebook fan will win the tickets.
5. Tickets will be dispatched within 5 working days.
Promoter: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire. SL5 7JX.

YEATS STATUE UNVEILED DURING ROYAL ASCOT


To commemorate the achievement of Ascot’s greatest equine legend, the four-time Gold Cup winner Yeats, celebrated sculptor Charlie Langton was commissioned to create a ten per cent over life-size bronze of the horse who dominated Royal Ascot from 2006 to 2009. The statue was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen, The Duke of Devonshire and Charlie Langton on Tuesday 14th June 2011 at Royal Ascot. The statue will reside permanently in the Parade Ring at Ascot Racecourse for everyone to see.
Yeats, now standing at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, was owned by Mrs John Maagnier and Mrs David Nagle, trained by Aidan O’Brien, and ridden by Kieren Fallon (2006), Michael Kinane (2007) and Johnny Murtagh (2008 and 2009). The statue will be unveiled at Royal Ascot and in his own words Charlie Langton talks in glowing terms of the challenge:


“The process began last summer with a week of measuring, sketching and sculpting at Coolmore Stud. This was the most important stage as I was able to get to know Yeats from watching him in his daily routine and then spend time speaking to the lads and all those that know him well. It was vital that I gained a complete picture of the horse from those closest to him as I was keen to capture the horse’s character as well as his physical dimensions.


“I had my own very strong mental image of Yeats parading around the ring at Ascot to add to this information and therefore I could establish a pose that married all these elements. He always carried his head in a very distinctive way and later on in his career, as his neck developed, he became instantly recognisable. He is beautifully proportioned. From the side he is deep and powerfully built, especially through the shoulder he is sinuous and yet every line flows with an effortless grace. From the front he is streamlined and slender - even his ears are close together when pricked. It is easy to see why he had so much success when considering this combination of power and aerodynamism.

“But the thing that really strikes me about Yeats is how he moves. He is almost regal in his head carriage and he glides over the ground effortlessly. I could not have had a better subject for my first life-size bronze.
“Having made a one quarter scale maquette of Yeats I began work on the ten per cent over life-size version in October 2010. The process involves a steel armature, on top of which I added clay - over forty bags were needed (more than one tone). Over sixty measurements taken from Yeats were used along with video footage, my sketches and maquettes, and I also made trips back to Coolmore to refresh my eye. He took over eight hundred hours to sculpt.

“I built a new studio especially for working on this scale so that, vitally, I could have the room to stand back and see the work from a distance. However, it is a very large space to keep warm and it was a constant battle against the cold to prevent the clay from freezing. Every night my Yeats was wrapped up in a New Zealand rug and sleeping bags. Once I was getting close to being happy with the sculpture, the mould making could begin. This was done over the course of ten days by three highly skilled mould makers. He was moulded in seven sections (the four legs, head, tail and body). The moulds were then taken to the foundry and a combination of the lost wax process and sand casting were used to create the bronze.


“I hope more than anything that my sculpture does justice to Yeats and that those who know him best will think that I have captured his presence and character. Yeats is an Ascot legend and I feel extremely privileged to have been chosen to sculpt him.

Friday 17 June 2011

Ascot’s Shergar Cup 1980s concert...spotlight on Paul Young

As some of the finest jockeys in the world descend upon Ascot Racecourse for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday 6th August, we look ahead to the spectacular 1980s Here and Now post racing concert. In the run up to the raceday, each week we are focussing on one of the acts performing in the concert and this week is the turn of Paul Young.



The fourth act of the terrific Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup concert line-up is Paul Young. Paul was interested in music from a young age, preferring the then unpopular style of music, Soul. He continued with his ambition to be a singer which has now made him one of the most respected British singers of all time.

Paul had a top 20 hit with his group Streetband in the late 1970’s but the band broke up and he formed Q-Tips. For 3 years the band played over 600 shows throughout the UK and Europe allowing Paul to introduce himself to the British public. This helped lead the way for his fantastic solo career, with chart topping hits such as ‘Wherever I Lay My Hat’ and ‘Come Back and Stay’. He has continued to write and record his soulful music for his fans all over the world for the past two decades.

Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday 6th August, including the Here and Now concert, start from £26. To book, or for further information, call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk.

Review of Friday’s Group 1 action at Royal Ascot

The Group 1 Coronation Stakes went the way of France as the two French fillies finished first and second with Immortal Verse leading home Nova Hawk. It was also a real family affair, father Robert beating son Rod, as the domestic challengers were left trailing in their wake.

The victory was a welcome return to form for the winner who had to be withdrawn from the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket having reared in the stalls, before then finishing only 11th in her native Guineas. However, she returned to form by putting her rivals to the sword in emphatic style.
Sent off a relatively well fancied 8/1 shot, the daughter of Pivotal was clearly well at home on the rain softened ground and under Gerard Mosse was settled nicely at the rear of the field as Irish raider Claiomh Solais led the runners once the gates opened. The Richard Hannon trained Memory was pulling frantically for her head during the opening exchanges, but the order remained unchanged as the 13 runners swung into the home straight. It was at that point that Kevin Manning kicked the long-time leader a couple of lengths clear as her rivals seemed to be treading water for a couple of strides. However, Mosse had angled his mount to the outside and began to eat up the ground as they hit top gear. As she hit the front inside the final furlong the contest was as good as over and she strode powerfully clear to score by an impressive two and a quarter lengths.

Nova Hawk had started her run from a similar position but came through the middle of the pack to chase the winner home. Barefoot Lady grabbed third under stand-in jockey Kieren Fallon – regular partner Paul Hanagan missed his intended mounts on Friday with a spasm in his neck – with 7/2 market leader Together finishing down the field for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.

The winning trainer was successful in Doncaster’s St Leger way back in 1979 and 32 years on he was once again celebrating a top level success in a major British race. Speaking through a translator, Collet said: “This filly is the best filly I have trained. At Newmarket she had a blind on to go into the stalls but there was a lot of wind and she got irritated. In the Frenchn Guineas things didn't go to plan, so we forgot about that. You have to be really stubborn to come back and prove that you have a Group 1 filly. Her biggest asset is her turn of foot.”

Result – 2011 Coronation Stakes
1st
Horse Immortal Verse (IRE) 8/1
Jockey Gerald Mosse
Trainer Robert Collet
Owner Mr R. C. Strauss
2nd Nova Hawk 9/2
3rd Barefoot Lady (IRE) 16/1

Thursday 16 June 2011

Review of today’s Group 1 Gold Cup

For the sixth year running the Group 1 Gold Cup was won by Ireland as Fame And Glory proved far too classy for his rivals under jockey Jamie Spencer. The pair surged clear down the home straight to record a three-length victory over the Godolphin-owned Opinion Poll in second.

It was the fifth time in six years that Aidan O’Brien was responsible for training the winner after the achievements of record-breaking winner Yeats and this victory hinted that another dynasty could be about to begin. Punters poured their money into the four-time Group 1 winner as he looked to notch another top level success over the furthest trip he had tackled. An opening show of 5/2 was soon taken and he was sent off the heavily backed 11/8 favourite when the gates opened. Richard Hills led the field at a fairly sedate pace on-board Tastahil as the 15 runners passed the post and headed out past the Grandstand.

Geordieland, a dual runner-up in the race and returning to the track for the first time in 643 days, wasn’t going quick enough though and he swept round the field to take up the running and inject some pace into proceedings. While all this was happening Fame And Glory was tucked away on the rail, saving ground on the inside and travelling sweetly for his rider. Entering the home straight Manighar hit the front but Fame And Glory followed and when he found the far rail the race was as good as over. Spencer kept the son of Montjeu honest all the way to the line and, although it briefly looked as though Opinion Poll might reel in the Ballydoyle horse, he found more at the business end to score by a comfortable margin.

The winning jockey said the race went like clockwork: “It was a very easy, push-button ride.
It was a great training performance.” On that subject, the winning trainer couldn’t hide his elation: “I'm delighted for everybody and for Jamie who gave him a great ride. Thanks to everybody for letting a horse with his class run in the Gold Cup. You don’t see many mile-and-a-half Group One winners running in a Gold Cup. When horses have so much class they can often stay - class makes them stay but it's the ultimate test when you go that extreme distance. I'm just very privileged to have him.”

Given the achievements of his former stablemate, comparisons were immediately made to Yeats and, when drawn on the question of whether the winner would return next year to defend his crown, O’Brien simply remarked: “The Gold Cup next year? Wouldn't it be marvellous.”

Result – 2011 Gold Cup
1st
Horse Fame And Glory 11/8F
Jockey Jamie Spencer
Trainer Aidan O’Brien
Owner D. Smith/Mrs J. Magnier/M. Tabor/Mrs F. Hay
2nd Opinion Poll (IRE) 16/1
3rd Brigantin (USA) 16/1

Friday 10 June 2011

Ascot’s Shergar Cup 1980s concert...spotlight on Jimmy Somerville

As some of the finest jockeys in the world descend upon Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 6th August, we look ahead to the spectacular 1980s Here and Now concert after this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. In the run up to the raceday, each week we focus on one of the acts performing in the concert and this week is the turn of Jimmy Somerville.
Jimmy Somerville is renowned for his unusually high pitched voice in the group Bronski Beat which had a number of hits in the British charts, including its most famous ‘Small Town Boy’. In 1985, Jimmy left Bronski Beat to form The Communards, which had two successful albums and stayed in the charts with a cover version of the famous soul classic ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’.

In 1989, Jimmy launched his solo career with five more hit singles and two albums. His popularity has continued to the present day and Jimmy released his Bright Thing EP in 2011 with four new original tracks which he wrote and performed himself.

Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday 6th August, including the Here and Now concert, start from £26. To book, or for further information, call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Will You Be Able To Say “I Was There”?

After 300 years of racing at Ascot, is next Tuesday’s opening day of the Royal Meeting the best raceday the course has ever seen?
Goldikova storming to victory in the 2010 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot

Well, genuinely, quite possibly and there is still time for you to say “I was there” on the day when Goldikova took on Canford Cliffs, when seven nations went head to head in the King’s Stand Stakes and when the most impressive winner of the 2,000 Guineas in living memory took on Japan’s best three year old, Grand Prix Boss.


2011 St. James's Palace Stakes winner Canford Cliffs

Goldikova, the pride of France, is bidding for back to back wins in the opening Queen Anne Stakes and will be lining up on Tuesday against Canford Cliffs for last year’s top Royal Ascot trainer, Richard Hannon. Canford Cliffs will be bidding for a third Royal Ascot success having won championship races at two and three years old. But it’s not a two horse race – the powerful Irish stable of Aidan O’Brien looks likely to send over Cape Blanco for a fascinating clash that will likely decide Europe’s champion older miler. In fact, given that Goldikova has won no fewer than three Breeders’ Cup Miles in the USA, the Queen Anne is almost certain to determine the name of the best older miler in the world.


But that’s just the starter, and next on the menu is the King’s Stand Stakes – the first of two championship sprints at Royal Ascot and Europe’s most international race. This year, seven nations will be represented; Australia, the USA, Hong Kong, France, Ireland, Hungary and of course the UK. Four Australian horses have won the King’s Stand Stakes and that nation is responsible for the favourite once again in Star Witness and a fascinating battle is in store, especially with the Americans and Hong Kong’s Sweet Sanette likely to set an electric pace from the start. The track record is surely on the line…


The phonomenal Frankel winning the Juddemonte International Stakes at Ascot last September

The third Group One race on the card sees the next challenge for Henry Cecil’s Frankel, who missed the Derby in preference for the St James’s Palace Stakes, which crowns Europe’s top three year old miler. Will Tom Queally allow him to make all the running as he did in the 2,000 Guineas or will a more conservative approach be required to hold Japan’s champion, Grand Prix Boss, and several other star names, including Wooton Basset, for the sensational stable of Richard Fahey.

All in all, whether you’re a racing regular, a once a year racegoer or haven’t been racing for ages, this is the day to get dressed up and come to the greatest race meeting in the world and witness a once in a lifetime spectacle of the best the turf has to offer.

There are three further races after the three Group One races, including the Coventry Stakes, the early season championship for two year old cots. Also, readers may be interested to note that the statue commemorating the great four time Gold Cup winner Yeats will be unveiled before racing.

Tickets for Tuesday 14th June are still available. Call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk. There will be a limited number of tickets available for sale on the day.

Bessborough Restaurant Afternoon Tea Recipe for Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot and fashion go hand in hand and back once again is the unique opportunity to view couture collections from the world’s catwalks at the Royal Ascot Fashion Show in the Bessborough Restaurant.

Whilst watching the show you can enjoy a sumptuous five course luncheon in between sets from some of the greatest British fashion designers. From 3.30pm you can taste the delights of an Afternoon Tea which includes this delicious dessert, Valrhona Chocolate and Walnut Brownie:



Yield: 5 trays 60X40
Chocolate Brownie
9000g Sugar 2250g
780g Valrhona Cocoa Powder 195g
3450g Cake Flour 862g
5625g Melted Butter 1406g
4500g Eggs (90) 1125g
270g Vanilla Essence 67g
2250g Walnuts 567g
3000g Chopped Chocolate or Chocolate Drops 750g

Method
Mix sugar cocoa powder and flour on the machine, Pour in melted butter then eggs and vanilla

Add chopped walnuts and chocolate, Bake@150°C
Cool and finish with a Standard Ganache Comb Scraped

Ganache base

600g Cream
100g Trimoline
600g 55% Cocoa Barry


Method
Boil cream and trimoline add to chopped Chocolate

If your interested in booking a table in this fantastic restaurant then visit http://www.royalascothospitality.co.uk or call Hospitality on 0870 727 4321.

Monday 6 June 2011

Adrian Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds to play the Ascot Beer Festival


You can expect more than just excellent quality racing at the 5th Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival in association with CAMRA and Fuller’s on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October. With the help of the Berkshire South East branch of CAMRA and Fuller’s, Ascot Racecourse will be showcasing over 200 beers, ciders and perries predominantly from local craft brewers and stunning live music.
Ascot has announced that Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds will play live on the Saturday of the Beer Festival. The Bad Shepherds will be entertaining racegoers by playing punk songs on folk instruments. The band believes the songs by The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Stranglers, The Jam, Sham 69, The Undertones, The Buzzcocks, The Ramones, The Specials, Talking Heads, Squeeze and others bands of a similar genre are better than people remember.
Adrian Edmondson of the Bad Shepherds stated, ‘The Bad Shepherds are all in training for our appearance at Ascot Racecourse - I am good for two furlongs as long as the ground is not too firm. Unfortunately, Troy Donockley is not much good over jumps but Andy Dinan goes quite quickly if you dangle free beer tokens in front of his face…’
John Blake, Head of Sales and Marketing at the Berkshire track, added: ‘The Ascot Beer Festival continues to go from strength to strength. Since its inception, we have gone from selling 6,500 pints in 2007 to a massive 23,000 pints in 2010. The introduction of a live act such as Adrian Edmonson and the Bad Shepherds on the Saturday heralds in a new era for the Ascot Beer Festival and establishes it as one of the must-attend Beer Festivals in the UK’.
Tickets start from just £12 on the Friday and £17 on the Saturday. To book call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk. Gates and bars open at 11am with the first race at 2pm. A voucher system will be in operation for all Beer Festival ales, perries and ciders. A half pint is priced at £1.50 and a pint £3.00. A limited edition commemorative oversized pint glass is available for £4 as well as Ascot Tercentenery Ale brewed by Fuller’s to commemorate Ascot’s 300th year.

Win Afternoon Tea for Two at The Savoy, London

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts are delighted to announce their sponsorship of the Royal Ascot Fashion Show in the Bessborough Restaurant in conjunction with Longines, Piper Heidsieck and the British Fashion Council.


(The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel - London)

The Fairmont Trilogy Hotels (The Savoy, London, The Plaza, New York and the Peace Hotel, Shanghai) have designed an exclusive afternoon tea offer for guests in the Bessborough Restaurant and if you can guess which hotel provided the inspiration for each part of the menu then you could be in with a chance to win afternoon tea for two at the Savoy!

Afternoon Tea

Sandwiches
Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Cream Cheese
Organic Egg and Mustard Cress Salad
Hoisin Chicken and Mango Chutney

French Pastries
Valrhona Chocolate and Walnut Brownie
Raspberry and Ginger Macaroons

Raisin Scones
Devonshire Clotted Cream
Strawberry Jam

Selection of Infused Teas

To win simply answer the question below and email your answers along with your name and telephone number to
hospitality@ascot.co.uk. The winner will be drawn at random on Monday 20th June.

Which hotel provided the inspiration for each part of the Afternoon Tea menu?

Thursday 2 June 2011

Ascot’s Shergar Cup 1980s concert...spotlight on Kid Creole and the Coconuts

The world’s finest jockeys descend upon Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 6th August to compete in the coveted Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. In the run up to this prestigious tournament, each week we are focussing on one of the acts performing in the concert. This week is the turn of Kid Creole.
Kid Creole and the Coconuts, formed in 1980 after Dr Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band split up. August Darnell - the bassist from the band - adopted the name Kid Creole and formed his group along with a glamorous trio of female backing vocalists known as the Coconuts. This peculiar name was inspired by Cab Calloway and Hollywood films of the 1930s and 40s. For over 30 years the band have been entertaining thousands of crowds around the world, recording 23 albums which included hits like ‘Lifeboat Party’, ‘Gina Gina’, ‘I’m A Wonderful Thing’ and ‘Me No Pop I’.

Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup (Saturday 6th August), including the Here and Now concert, start from £26. To book, or for further information, call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk

Share This