“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” - Mark Twain
Traditional morning dress is obligatory for gentlemen in the Royal Enclosure but it is increasingly popular in the public enclosures too. A black morning suit is generally considered de rigueur at Royal Ascot, although a grey morning suit is perfectly acceptable.
The top hat’s place in society fashion was assured when Prince Albert started wearing one in 1850. The first top hats were made with felt, most commonly being beaver fur pelt. Later, they would be made of silk. The structure underneath the felt or silk was made of a material called goss. The nineteenth century is sometimes known as the Century of the Top Hat. In the latter half of the 19th century, the top hat gradually fell out of fashion, with the middle classes adopting bowler hats and soft felt hats such as fedoras, which were more convenient for city life, as well as being suitable for mass production. In comparison, a top hat needed to be handmade by a skilled hatter, with few young people willing to take up what was obviously a dying trade.
By the end of World War I it had become a rarity in everyday life. It continued to be used for formal wear, with a morning suit in the daytime and with evening clothes (tuxedo or tailcoat) until the late 1930s. In the present day, the top hat is only worn with a morning suit for such occasions as Derby Day, Royal Ascot and weddings. You would no more expect to see a polar bear in the Royal Enclosure than a male patron without morning dress but that doesn’t mean that their attire is stale or stuffy or prevents an expression of their personality. There are all sorts of acceptable ways to personalise Royal Enclosure attire, starting with the tie.
The tie as we know it today has been around since the 1920s and, rather than keeping the neck warm, this style of neck wear was simply a fashion statement and an opportunity to display individuality.
Ties are a must for Royal Ascot, as opposed to cravats which, along with bow ties, were worn with morning dress up to about the 1920’s but are now for weddings. A tie of any colour is acceptable and this is an opportunity for the male racegoer to display his individuality and express his character. Tie pins are optional.
Once a virtually mandatory piece of men’s clothing, the waistcoat has become uncommon in contemporary dress with the exception of its partnership with the morning suit. The waistcoat is one of the few pieces of clothing whose origin historians can date precisely. King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland introduced the waistcoat as a part of correct dress during the Restoration of the British monarchy in the 1600s.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, men often wore incredibly elaborate and brightly-coloured, even garish, waistcoats, until fashion in the nineteenth century restricted them in formal wear. The development of the suit dictated that informal waistcoats become the same colour as the rest of a man’s outfit.
Popular opinion once claimed that a man could be identified as a “real gentleman” if he left the lowest button on his waistcoat unbuttoned. This anecdotally originated from the habits of King Edward VII whilst still Prince of Wales when his ballooning waistline caused him to leave the bottom button of his waistcoat undone. The story goes that his subjects took this as a style-indicator and started doing it themselves. Others consider the practice to derive from the habit of undoing the lower button to stop the waistcoat riding up when on horseback – possibly a more likely, if a little less interesting explanation! Again, the colour options open to the male racegoer are wide and varied. A waistcoat in silk, satin or a lightweight wool is acceptable and it is quite common for the man to echo the colours that his female partner has chosen so that as a couple, their appearance complements each other.
Cufflinks, whether they’re cuff buttons, flats, chain links, snappers, kum-aparts or one-piece links, are elegant accessories that lend a sparkle to formal wear. It is not certain when the cufflink arrived. Its first mention in writing was in 1788, but for sometime before that, buttons had ceased to be decorative and cuff-fastening slits were being cut into clothing. The ribbons or tape ties of the past were replaced with luxurious items, often made with gold or silver and set with gemstones. These were an extravagance reserved for the wealthy classes and were all hand-made.
It wasn't until the mid 18th century and the invention of the steam-driven stamping machine, electro-metallurgy and the Tour a' Guilloche machine, which could mass-produce enamel cufflinks, that men’s jewellery really took off amongst a wider audience.
By the 1840s the double-cuff shirt became popular - and unlike most fashions it has remained so since. The middle classes adopted cufflinks, but unable to afford the silver or enamel versions they used replicas such as fake diamonds and gold-coloured alloys with foil backing.
Like cuff links, the handkerchief is optional with morning dress. Amazingly, perhaps, the handkerchief is only about 400 years old. Its origin is in Italy, where a Venetian lady invented it from pure flax, decorated with lace. Only a silk handkerchief is up to the mark in the Royal Enclosure, a cotton one simply won’t do. The handkerchief provides another smattering of colour in the male racegoers attire as a triangular shape, neatly folded and pressed.
Lace up shoes are the only suitable style with a morning suit. Slip on shoes are not really the done thing in the Royal Enclosure.
Moss Bros are the official supplier of morning dress to Royal Ascot and provide a stylish Royal Ascot Collection morning suit available for hire.
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Tuesday, 11 May 2010
The Brits are Coming to the Royal Ascot Catwalk
The ultimate showcase for the hottest couture from the world’s catwalks, the Royal Ascot Fashion Show, returns to the Bessborough Restaurant for the five days of Royal Ascot. The catwalk front-liners for this year are the Grand Dame of British fashion and three times
British Designer of the Year, Vivienne Westwood; maestro of milliners, Stephen Jones; fashion’s finest Amanda Wakeley, who recently received an OBE for her services to the fashion industry; entourage to the stars - Matthew Williamson; and the holder of three Royal Warrants, Gieves & Hawkes. On Thursday 17th June only, Ascot is delighted to feature Mary Katrantzou, one of Britain’s newest up and coming designers and winner of the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN award. This exclusive fashion show gives guests a unique insight into the world of fashion where these top British designers will showcase a variety of their collection usually only seen on the international catwalks.
Vivienne Westwood shows off a more edgy look with signature pieces from her Spring/Summer Gold Label 2010 and archive collection. Stephen Jones entertains racegoers to a fresh approach with hats from his ABC Spring/Summer 2010 ready to wear and bespoke range: A is for Art, the art of Japan. B is for Beauty, the beauty of France. C is for Commerce, the commerce of America. Amanda Wakeley showcases outfits from her Spring/Summer 2010 range. Designing the range herself since claiming back her business last year, racegoers will be treated to Grecian draped gowns and togas in egg yolk yellow, grey and peach, unstructured draped blazers, voluminous harem trousers, barely-there swimsuits twisting and turning around the body in raspberry and burnt umber, tulip-shaped skirts and gold sequin mini dresses.
Matthew Williamson uses the Fashion Show catwalk to showcase his Spring/Summer 2010 collection of shift dresses in fine metallic tweeds encrusted with geometric jewels, the exaggerated shoulders adding to the fierce Williamson attitude. A child of the Eighties, the designer has a way of taking some of that decade’s most garish elements and whipping them into a thoroughly modern, super cool new look. Form fitting trousers feature side seams of snakeskin paired with peep toe stiletto boots and cropped biker jackets, while a flash of neon yellow appears in a cowel necked chiffon top tucked into a blue leather pencil skirt.
Gieves and Hawkes will parade their own traditional Morning and Dinner Suits. Recently worn by Dermot O’Leary when hosting the National Television Awards, the slim-fit black dinner suit was finished with hand-sewn piped satin lapels complemented perfectly by a made to measure crisp white shirt, black silk tie and hand-made patent dress shoes. Further styles will be seen on the catwalk of their Morning and Dinner Suit range. Katrantzou’s inspiration is derived from Art and Design. Every season an object or craft inspires a thematic collection and is in turn, translated into Print. First it was oversized jewellery, then it was perfume bottles and then blown glass. Her most recent collection was inspired by 18th century society paintings. The label is defined by its philosophy of subverting wearable art. The daily fashion show, in association with Longines, Snow Queen, Piper Heidsick and Toni & Guy, is one of the highlights of the Royal Meeting where guests can enjoy a show of five sets put on between courses of luncheon and will finish in time for the arrival of the Royal Procession. Gary England, Director of Ascot Hospitality, comments “We are delighted to be supporting British fashion especially at a time when British fashion designers are returning to the UK to showcase their collections. For many of the collections it’s the first time that some of them have been seen on UK soil so guests of the Bessborough restaurant are in for a real treat".
THE DESIGNERS
Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood is both iconoclast and a global icon having electrified the world for the last 30 years. She is one of the most inventive and influential designers of our time. Best known for her fearless nonconformity, she also has a profound respect for the past and looks to it for inspiration and however outrageous or provocative the result, her approach has always been practical – this is what makes Vivienne one of fashion’s most respected figures.
Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones is considered one of the world’s most radical and important milliners of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and is also one of the most prolific, having created hats for the catwalk shows of many leading couturiers and fashion designers. Jones has always made millinery seem modern and compelling. In materials that were often radical, and in designs that ranged from refined to whimsical, his exquisitely crafted, quixotic hats have always encapsulated the fashion mood of the moment.
Amanda Wakeley
In the 2010 New Year Honours List Her Majesty The Queen appointed Amanda Wakeley an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The award, for services to the British Fashion Industry, also recognises the considerable contribution that Amanda makes as founding co-chair of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC). Amanda Wakeley launched her signature label in 1990 and over the last two decades has developed an international reputation for designing stylish, supremely luxurious, womenswear and accessories. She is the winner of several awards including three British Fashion Awards for Glamour. In April 2009, Amanda completed the buy-back of her business, saving over 50 jobs across the United Kingdom. Since then she has relaunched her brand, opened a new flagship store and achieved critical acclaim when she returned to London Fashion Week in September 2009.
Matthew Williamson
The year 2007 marked a 10 year anniversary for Matthew Williamson - he launched in 1997 with his debut Electric Angels show. To celebrate, he curated an exhibition about his work at the Design Museum, London. Matthew Williamson won Red Carpet Designer of the Year at the 2008 British Fashion Awards, previously having been awarded Elle Designer of the Year in 2004 and the 2005 Moet and Chandon Fashion Tribute Award. He has also been nominated 3 times for Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. His entourage have always been a key part of his popularity - whether it was Kate Moss in the early days or latterly Sienna Miller and stylist Bay Garnett, who also worked for him.
Gieves & Hawkes
All over the world, Savile Row stands for the very best in men’s tailoring and so it is fitting that Gieves & Hawkes should be “No 1 Savile Row.” The Company has held three Royal Warrants since 1809, an unbroken record of service to successive Monarchs and members of their families.
Mary Katrantzou
One of London’s key emerging talents this season is Mary Katrantzou who has received catwalk sponsorship for the last three seasons as part of NEWGEN from the British Fashion Coucil. NEWGEN is internationally recognised as the leading designer talent identification and support scheme and has become a key draw for the international fashion media and buyers attending London Fashion Week. Katrantzou is fast becoming one of Britain’s top emerging designers following in the footsteps of the late Alexander McQueen, Julien MacDonald and Erdem.
Further Information
For high resolution images and further information please contact Sarah-Jane Muirie @ Johnno Spence Consulting on 020 7385 8819 or sj@jscsport.co.uk.
British Designer of the Year, Vivienne Westwood; maestro of milliners, Stephen Jones; fashion’s finest Amanda Wakeley, who recently received an OBE for her services to the fashion industry; entourage to the stars - Matthew Williamson; and the holder of three Royal Warrants, Gieves & Hawkes. On Thursday 17th June only, Ascot is delighted to feature Mary Katrantzou, one of Britain’s newest up and coming designers and winner of the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN award. This exclusive fashion show gives guests a unique insight into the world of fashion where these top British designers will showcase a variety of their collection usually only seen on the international catwalks.
Vivienne Westwood shows off a more edgy look with signature pieces from her Spring/Summer Gold Label 2010 and archive collection. Stephen Jones entertains racegoers to a fresh approach with hats from his ABC Spring/Summer 2010 ready to wear and bespoke range: A is for Art, the art of Japan. B is for Beauty, the beauty of France. C is for Commerce, the commerce of America. Amanda Wakeley showcases outfits from her Spring/Summer 2010 range. Designing the range herself since claiming back her business last year, racegoers will be treated to Grecian draped gowns and togas in egg yolk yellow, grey and peach, unstructured draped blazers, voluminous harem trousers, barely-there swimsuits twisting and turning around the body in raspberry and burnt umber, tulip-shaped skirts and gold sequin mini dresses.
Matthew Williamson uses the Fashion Show catwalk to showcase his Spring/Summer 2010 collection of shift dresses in fine metallic tweeds encrusted with geometric jewels, the exaggerated shoulders adding to the fierce Williamson attitude. A child of the Eighties, the designer has a way of taking some of that decade’s most garish elements and whipping them into a thoroughly modern, super cool new look. Form fitting trousers feature side seams of snakeskin paired with peep toe stiletto boots and cropped biker jackets, while a flash of neon yellow appears in a cowel necked chiffon top tucked into a blue leather pencil skirt.
Gieves and Hawkes will parade their own traditional Morning and Dinner Suits. Recently worn by Dermot O’Leary when hosting the National Television Awards, the slim-fit black dinner suit was finished with hand-sewn piped satin lapels complemented perfectly by a made to measure crisp white shirt, black silk tie and hand-made patent dress shoes. Further styles will be seen on the catwalk of their Morning and Dinner Suit range. Katrantzou’s inspiration is derived from Art and Design. Every season an object or craft inspires a thematic collection and is in turn, translated into Print. First it was oversized jewellery, then it was perfume bottles and then blown glass. Her most recent collection was inspired by 18th century society paintings. The label is defined by its philosophy of subverting wearable art. The daily fashion show, in association with Longines, Snow Queen, Piper Heidsick and Toni & Guy, is one of the highlights of the Royal Meeting where guests can enjoy a show of five sets put on between courses of luncheon and will finish in time for the arrival of the Royal Procession. Gary England, Director of Ascot Hospitality, comments “We are delighted to be supporting British fashion especially at a time when British fashion designers are returning to the UK to showcase their collections. For many of the collections it’s the first time that some of them have been seen on UK soil so guests of the Bessborough restaurant are in for a real treat".
THE DESIGNERS
Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood is both iconoclast and a global icon having electrified the world for the last 30 years. She is one of the most inventive and influential designers of our time. Best known for her fearless nonconformity, she also has a profound respect for the past and looks to it for inspiration and however outrageous or provocative the result, her approach has always been practical – this is what makes Vivienne one of fashion’s most respected figures.
Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones is considered one of the world’s most radical and important milliners of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and is also one of the most prolific, having created hats for the catwalk shows of many leading couturiers and fashion designers. Jones has always made millinery seem modern and compelling. In materials that were often radical, and in designs that ranged from refined to whimsical, his exquisitely crafted, quixotic hats have always encapsulated the fashion mood of the moment.
Amanda Wakeley
In the 2010 New Year Honours List Her Majesty The Queen appointed Amanda Wakeley an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The award, for services to the British Fashion Industry, also recognises the considerable contribution that Amanda makes as founding co-chair of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC). Amanda Wakeley launched her signature label in 1990 and over the last two decades has developed an international reputation for designing stylish, supremely luxurious, womenswear and accessories. She is the winner of several awards including three British Fashion Awards for Glamour. In April 2009, Amanda completed the buy-back of her business, saving over 50 jobs across the United Kingdom. Since then she has relaunched her brand, opened a new flagship store and achieved critical acclaim when she returned to London Fashion Week in September 2009.
Matthew Williamson
The year 2007 marked a 10 year anniversary for Matthew Williamson - he launched in 1997 with his debut Electric Angels show. To celebrate, he curated an exhibition about his work at the Design Museum, London. Matthew Williamson won Red Carpet Designer of the Year at the 2008 British Fashion Awards, previously having been awarded Elle Designer of the Year in 2004 and the 2005 Moet and Chandon Fashion Tribute Award. He has also been nominated 3 times for Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. His entourage have always been a key part of his popularity - whether it was Kate Moss in the early days or latterly Sienna Miller and stylist Bay Garnett, who also worked for him.
Gieves & Hawkes
All over the world, Savile Row stands for the very best in men’s tailoring and so it is fitting that Gieves & Hawkes should be “No 1 Savile Row.” The Company has held three Royal Warrants since 1809, an unbroken record of service to successive Monarchs and members of their families.
Mary Katrantzou
One of London’s key emerging talents this season is Mary Katrantzou who has received catwalk sponsorship for the last three seasons as part of NEWGEN from the British Fashion Coucil. NEWGEN is internationally recognised as the leading designer talent identification and support scheme and has become a key draw for the international fashion media and buyers attending London Fashion Week. Katrantzou is fast becoming one of Britain’s top emerging designers following in the footsteps of the late Alexander McQueen, Julien MacDonald and Erdem.
Further Information
For high resolution images and further information please contact Sarah-Jane Muirie @ Johnno Spence Consulting on 020 7385 8819 or sj@jscsport.co.uk.
American Speedster Kinsale King Headlines Royal Ascot International Entries
Kinsale King (Carl O’Callaghan) is set to follow up his victory for the USA in the Dubai Golden Shaheen with an ambitious raid on Royal Ascot’s Golden Jubilee Stakes, where he could meet representatives of no fewer than nine nations.
“The Golden Jubilee is one of the most prestigious races in the world,” O’Callaghan said. “The places a trainer dreams about winning at are Dubai, Royal Ascot and the Breeders’ Cup. I’ve got one of the three. Hopefully, I can get them all. “Kinsale King couldn’t be doing any better. He is back on the track and we’ll leave for Maryland on 17th May where we will be staying at Michael Dickinson’s Tapeta Farm so we can train up a straight. I have already arranged for our rider, Garrett Gomez, to come down and get a feel for what we need to do changing leads on a straight. We’ll spend a few weeks here and ship to Newmarket on 2nd June.” Kinsale King could be joined by compatriot and recent impressive Keeneland winner, West Ocean (also entered in the King’s Stand Stakes), who would be a first runner in the UK for multiple Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer, Todd Pletcher.
A further fascinating possible runner for the USA in both sprints or the St James’s Palace Stakes comes in the shape of Radiohead, successful in the Norfolk Stakes last year when trained by Brian Meehan and now in the care of Richard Dutrow Jnr.
Hong Kong looks set to be doubly represented in the Golden Jubilee Stakes with Joy And Fun (Derek Cruz), winner of the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, and Happy Zero (John Moore), winner of the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at home in March and second to Good Ba Ba in the Group One Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in December. Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said: “I welcome the enterprise and initiative of the connections of both horses. I think it is fair to say that, by embarking on this mission, they are making yet another statement of the fact that Hong Kong racing has truly come of age as a major force on the international stage. “I am confident that they have the ability to record another win at the Royal Meeting for Hong Kong following the victory of Cape of Good Hope in 2005.”
Also entered in the Golden Jubilee Stakes for Asia is Rocket Man (Patrick Shaw), second to Kinsale King in the Golden Shaheen for Singapore. He will next run in the KrisFlyer Sprint in his homeland where he is set to meet both Happy Zero and one of three Golden Jubilee Stakes entries for Australia, Gold Trail (Gary Portelli).
Gold Trail made a highly satisfactory return in the Group One Galaxy Handicap, when a close sixth under top-weight, and won the Group One Railway Stakes at Ellerslie in January.
Alverta (Paul Messara) is very much on course for the Golden Jubilee Stakes following victory in the Group One Coolmore Classic in March, whilst the third Australian entry, Nicconi (David Hayes), winner of the Group One Coolmore Lightning Stakes at Flemington in January, has the King’s Stand Stakes as his primary target. “Nicconi has the right form line following the other Aussie horses to have completed the Lightning / King’s Stand double (Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast), said Hayes. “He is undefeated at five furlongs and he runs well fresh. The plan is to run him first up in the King’s Stand. If he travels well, I expect him to be very competitive. “I obviously have a very international focus having trained in Hong Kong. Bringing international horses, owners and trainers together through the Global Sprint Challenge is an outstanding initiative for the promotion and benefit of our industry and its participants - it has certainly put Aussie sprinters on the map,” Hayes added. The highest profile name amongst the potential European defence in both Ascot legs of the Global Sprint Challenge is Overdose (Jozef Roszival), Hungary’s “Budapest Bullet,” whilst Aidan O’Brien spearheads a very strong Irish challenge with Alfred Nobel and the fascinating Australian import, Starspangledbanner, fourth to Nicconi in the Lightning and a subsequent winner of the Group One Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. He also has the Queen Anne Stakes as an option at Royal Ascot.
A total of six French-trained horses have been entered across the two sprints, including 2008 Darley July Cup winner, Marchand D’Or (Mikel Delzangles), whilst Sweden could be represented by Alcohuaz (Lennart Reuterskiold), a winner of a Listed race in Germany in October.
Fleeting Spirit (Jeremy Noseda), entered in both races, found only Scenic Blast too good in last year’s King’s Stand Stakes before going on to win the July Cup. She looks the strongest of the British contingent at this stage although Newmarket second, Main Aim (Sir Michael Stoute), could be being primed to have another crack at her in the Golden Jubilee Stakes as he is not entered in the Queen Anne Stakes at this stage.
Dual Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes winner, Borderlescott (Robin Bastiman), is another high profile local name to note in the King’s Stand Stakes whilst Equiano (Barry Hills), winner of that race in 2008, is in both sprints following a successful reappearance in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket.
Away from legs two and three of the Global Sprint Challenge at Royal Ascot, other entries in the Group One races from outside Europe are made up of the South African-trained Mourilyan (Herman Brown) in the Gold Cup and three American-trained possibles in the St James’s Palace Stakes.Radiohead is entered in the mile contest in addition to being considered for the sprints, and could be joined by Noble’s Promise, for Kenny McPeek, who sent over Hard Buck from America to finish second in the 2004 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Noble’s Promise was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year and the St James’s Palace Stakes is one option for him in the UK along with the Investec Derby.
Making up the triumvirate is Leaving New York, accompanying Kinsale King for trainer Carl O’Callaghan. His possible Royal Ascot targets are the St James’s Palace Stakes, Jersey Stakes or the Britannia Handicap.
In addition to the above, Wesley Ward, responsible for two two-year-old winners at last year’s Royal Meeting and Cannonball, who was second in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, is planning another visit this year with, amongst several possibilities, Final Mesa, a recent maiden winner at Keeneland, who is being aimed at the Queen Mary Stakes. “To have representation from pretty much all around the world in the initial entries for the King’s Stand and Golden Jubilee is very pleasing,” said Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing at Ascot.
“The Aussies have a powerful hand as is becoming customary, and will be looking for a fifth Royal Ascot winner, but to have strong Asian and American interest is particularly good news, especially with two horses in Joy And Fun and Kinsale King, who have proven international pedigree having won on their visits to Dubai in March. “If one of the Americans were to run in the St James’s Palace Stakes that would add to what is often a strong international flavour on our opening day, whilst no one will be sending off Wesley’s two-year-olds at huge prices again this year. “Many of the sprinters coming to Royal Ascot have already been provisionally entered for the last of three Global Sprint Challenge races in the UK, the Darley July Cup, and it is probably only a matter of time before one of the visitors completes the Royal Ascot / Newmarket double”.
“The Golden Jubilee is one of the most prestigious races in the world,” O’Callaghan said. “The places a trainer dreams about winning at are Dubai, Royal Ascot and the Breeders’ Cup. I’ve got one of the three. Hopefully, I can get them all. “Kinsale King couldn’t be doing any better. He is back on the track and we’ll leave for Maryland on 17th May where we will be staying at Michael Dickinson’s Tapeta Farm so we can train up a straight. I have already arranged for our rider, Garrett Gomez, to come down and get a feel for what we need to do changing leads on a straight. We’ll spend a few weeks here and ship to Newmarket on 2nd June.” Kinsale King could be joined by compatriot and recent impressive Keeneland winner, West Ocean (also entered in the King’s Stand Stakes), who would be a first runner in the UK for multiple Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer, Todd Pletcher.
A further fascinating possible runner for the USA in both sprints or the St James’s Palace Stakes comes in the shape of Radiohead, successful in the Norfolk Stakes last year when trained by Brian Meehan and now in the care of Richard Dutrow Jnr.
Hong Kong looks set to be doubly represented in the Golden Jubilee Stakes with Joy And Fun (Derek Cruz), winner of the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, and Happy Zero (John Moore), winner of the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at home in March and second to Good Ba Ba in the Group One Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in December. Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said: “I welcome the enterprise and initiative of the connections of both horses. I think it is fair to say that, by embarking on this mission, they are making yet another statement of the fact that Hong Kong racing has truly come of age as a major force on the international stage. “I am confident that they have the ability to record another win at the Royal Meeting for Hong Kong following the victory of Cape of Good Hope in 2005.”
Also entered in the Golden Jubilee Stakes for Asia is Rocket Man (Patrick Shaw), second to Kinsale King in the Golden Shaheen for Singapore. He will next run in the KrisFlyer Sprint in his homeland where he is set to meet both Happy Zero and one of three Golden Jubilee Stakes entries for Australia, Gold Trail (Gary Portelli).
Gold Trail made a highly satisfactory return in the Group One Galaxy Handicap, when a close sixth under top-weight, and won the Group One Railway Stakes at Ellerslie in January.
Alverta (Paul Messara) is very much on course for the Golden Jubilee Stakes following victory in the Group One Coolmore Classic in March, whilst the third Australian entry, Nicconi (David Hayes), winner of the Group One Coolmore Lightning Stakes at Flemington in January, has the King’s Stand Stakes as his primary target. “Nicconi has the right form line following the other Aussie horses to have completed the Lightning / King’s Stand double (Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast), said Hayes. “He is undefeated at five furlongs and he runs well fresh. The plan is to run him first up in the King’s Stand. If he travels well, I expect him to be very competitive. “I obviously have a very international focus having trained in Hong Kong. Bringing international horses, owners and trainers together through the Global Sprint Challenge is an outstanding initiative for the promotion and benefit of our industry and its participants - it has certainly put Aussie sprinters on the map,” Hayes added. The highest profile name amongst the potential European defence in both Ascot legs of the Global Sprint Challenge is Overdose (Jozef Roszival), Hungary’s “Budapest Bullet,” whilst Aidan O’Brien spearheads a very strong Irish challenge with Alfred Nobel and the fascinating Australian import, Starspangledbanner, fourth to Nicconi in the Lightning and a subsequent winner of the Group One Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. He also has the Queen Anne Stakes as an option at Royal Ascot.
A total of six French-trained horses have been entered across the two sprints, including 2008 Darley July Cup winner, Marchand D’Or (Mikel Delzangles), whilst Sweden could be represented by Alcohuaz (Lennart Reuterskiold), a winner of a Listed race in Germany in October.
Fleeting Spirit (Jeremy Noseda), entered in both races, found only Scenic Blast too good in last year’s King’s Stand Stakes before going on to win the July Cup. She looks the strongest of the British contingent at this stage although Newmarket second, Main Aim (Sir Michael Stoute), could be being primed to have another crack at her in the Golden Jubilee Stakes as he is not entered in the Queen Anne Stakes at this stage.
Dual Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes winner, Borderlescott (Robin Bastiman), is another high profile local name to note in the King’s Stand Stakes whilst Equiano (Barry Hills), winner of that race in 2008, is in both sprints following a successful reappearance in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket.
Away from legs two and three of the Global Sprint Challenge at Royal Ascot, other entries in the Group One races from outside Europe are made up of the South African-trained Mourilyan (Herman Brown) in the Gold Cup and three American-trained possibles in the St James’s Palace Stakes.Radiohead is entered in the mile contest in addition to being considered for the sprints, and could be joined by Noble’s Promise, for Kenny McPeek, who sent over Hard Buck from America to finish second in the 2004 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Noble’s Promise was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year and the St James’s Palace Stakes is one option for him in the UK along with the Investec Derby.
Making up the triumvirate is Leaving New York, accompanying Kinsale King for trainer Carl O’Callaghan. His possible Royal Ascot targets are the St James’s Palace Stakes, Jersey Stakes or the Britannia Handicap.
In addition to the above, Wesley Ward, responsible for two two-year-old winners at last year’s Royal Meeting and Cannonball, who was second in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, is planning another visit this year with, amongst several possibilities, Final Mesa, a recent maiden winner at Keeneland, who is being aimed at the Queen Mary Stakes. “To have representation from pretty much all around the world in the initial entries for the King’s Stand and Golden Jubilee is very pleasing,” said Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing at Ascot.
“The Aussies have a powerful hand as is becoming customary, and will be looking for a fifth Royal Ascot winner, but to have strong Asian and American interest is particularly good news, especially with two horses in Joy And Fun and Kinsale King, who have proven international pedigree having won on their visits to Dubai in March. “If one of the Americans were to run in the St James’s Palace Stakes that would add to what is often a strong international flavour on our opening day, whilst no one will be sending off Wesley’s two-year-olds at huge prices again this year. “Many of the sprinters coming to Royal Ascot have already been provisionally entered for the last of three Global Sprint Challenge races in the UK, the Darley July Cup, and it is probably only a matter of time before one of the visitors completes the Royal Ascot / Newmarket double”.
The Global Sprint Challenge and Ascot on the International Stage
Ascot is home to Europe’s premier race meeting, Royal Ascot, Europe’s mid-summer middle distance championship, the £1 million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair, July) and Europe’s mile championship, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by Sony, September).
Ascot also stages the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, in August.
Considered the standard-bearer for international racing within Europe, Ascot actively seeks to strengthen its programme through the participation of horses from all around the world. The racecourse has welcomed runners from Australia, New Zealand, America, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa and all over Europe this decade, none higher profile and ground-breaking than Choisir, who landed the King’s Stand Stakes / Golden Jubilee Stakes double for Australia in 2003, paving the way for wins for compatriots Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and, last year, Scenic Blast, who defeated subsequent July Cup winner Fleeting Spirit in the King’s Stand Stakes.
The Royal Meeting was more cosmopolitan and international than ever before in 2009 as, in addition to Scenic Blast’s King’s Stand Stakes victory for Australia, the United States were responsible for two winners in the two-year-old races and a second for Cannonball in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
That latter race also attracted the champion sprinters from South Africa in J J The Jet Plane and from Hong Kong in Sacred Kingdom, who both ran with great credit in fourth and fifth behind the home-trained Art Connoisseur.
In 2005, Ascot set up a sprinting series, the Global Sprint Challenge, with partners Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) in Australia and the Japan Racing Association (JRA). The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Newmarket Racecourses have subsequently joined and now the series numbers eight races spread from January to December.
When the Global Sprint Challenge was launched in 2005, the King’s Stand Stakes was worth £140,000 and the Golden Jubilee Stakes, £250,000. Both have increased significantly in value to reflect their growing international significance and the Golden Jubilee Stakes now has prize money of £450,000 with the King’s Stand Stakes valued at £300,000.
With the £400,000 on offer for the Darley July Cup, the third European leg of the Challenge, there is well over £1 million on offer across the UK’s legs for the world’s top sprinters.
The most valuable races at Royal Ascot are the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Golden Jubilee Stakes, both worth £450,000, and over £4 million in prize money is available over the week. The US$1,000,000 Global Sprint Challenge bonus pool can be won by landing any three Group One Challenge legs in any three countries (bonus split 75% owner, 25% trainer).The 2010 series began with the Coolmore Lightning Stakes at Flemington in January, Australia’s premier weight for age sprint and the springboard to the international campaigns of Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast in their Royal Ascot winning years.
This year’s Lightning Stakes winner, Nicconi, is on track to run at Royal Ascot. After the UK legs, the series moves to Japan, back to Australia and on to the annual culmination of the programme, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint.
Ascot has additional tie ups in place with the VRC, the JRA and the organisers of the Breeders’ Cup in the USA.
The VRC, as well as hosting both Australian legs of the Global Sprint Challenge at Flemington, offers an Aus$500,000 incentive bonus for the winner of their Australian Cup in March, should that horse go on to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Additionally, the “Choisir Trophy” is held at either Ascot or Flemington to mark the latest triumph by an Australian or European sprinter in any sprint race at either track in which both Australia and Europe are represented.
The JRA offers the winner and runner-up in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July automatic places in their premier international invitational race, the Japan Cup in November. Usually, a selection panel meets much later than July to decide on invitations but the King George has been chosen as one of a select group of major races around the world for special treatment in this respect. The JRA also offer bonuses for the winners of the St James’s Palace Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes and September’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes should they be successful in their major international races.
Ascot is involved in the Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” initiative, which sees the winners of three Ascot races at the September meeting qualify for the US Championships that November and receive incentive bonuses.
Through many years of partnerships and relationship forming with owners, trainers, media and racing administrations around the world, Ascot is at the forefront of the global racing village.
GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE RACES
Coolmore Lightning Stakes (Group One) 30th January Flemington, Australia
King’s Stand Stakes (Group One) 15th June Royal Ascot, UK
Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group One) 19th June Royal Ascot, UK
Darley July Cup (Group One) 9th July Newmarket, UK
Centaur Stakes (Group Two) 12th Sept Hanshin, Japan
Sprinters Stakes (Group One) 3rd October Nakayama, Japan
Patinack Farm Classic (Group One) 6th Nov Flemington, Australia
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (Group One) 12th Dec Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Ascot also stages the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, in August.
Considered the standard-bearer for international racing within Europe, Ascot actively seeks to strengthen its programme through the participation of horses from all around the world. The racecourse has welcomed runners from Australia, New Zealand, America, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa and all over Europe this decade, none higher profile and ground-breaking than Choisir, who landed the King’s Stand Stakes / Golden Jubilee Stakes double for Australia in 2003, paving the way for wins for compatriots Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and, last year, Scenic Blast, who defeated subsequent July Cup winner Fleeting Spirit in the King’s Stand Stakes.
The Royal Meeting was more cosmopolitan and international than ever before in 2009 as, in addition to Scenic Blast’s King’s Stand Stakes victory for Australia, the United States were responsible for two winners in the two-year-old races and a second for Cannonball in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
That latter race also attracted the champion sprinters from South Africa in J J The Jet Plane and from Hong Kong in Sacred Kingdom, who both ran with great credit in fourth and fifth behind the home-trained Art Connoisseur.
In 2005, Ascot set up a sprinting series, the Global Sprint Challenge, with partners Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) in Australia and the Japan Racing Association (JRA). The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Newmarket Racecourses have subsequently joined and now the series numbers eight races spread from January to December.
When the Global Sprint Challenge was launched in 2005, the King’s Stand Stakes was worth £140,000 and the Golden Jubilee Stakes, £250,000. Both have increased significantly in value to reflect their growing international significance and the Golden Jubilee Stakes now has prize money of £450,000 with the King’s Stand Stakes valued at £300,000.
With the £400,000 on offer for the Darley July Cup, the third European leg of the Challenge, there is well over £1 million on offer across the UK’s legs for the world’s top sprinters.
The most valuable races at Royal Ascot are the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Golden Jubilee Stakes, both worth £450,000, and over £4 million in prize money is available over the week. The US$1,000,000 Global Sprint Challenge bonus pool can be won by landing any three Group One Challenge legs in any three countries (bonus split 75% owner, 25% trainer).The 2010 series began with the Coolmore Lightning Stakes at Flemington in January, Australia’s premier weight for age sprint and the springboard to the international campaigns of Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast in their Royal Ascot winning years.
This year’s Lightning Stakes winner, Nicconi, is on track to run at Royal Ascot. After the UK legs, the series moves to Japan, back to Australia and on to the annual culmination of the programme, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint.
Ascot has additional tie ups in place with the VRC, the JRA and the organisers of the Breeders’ Cup in the USA.
The VRC, as well as hosting both Australian legs of the Global Sprint Challenge at Flemington, offers an Aus$500,000 incentive bonus for the winner of their Australian Cup in March, should that horse go on to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Additionally, the “Choisir Trophy” is held at either Ascot or Flemington to mark the latest triumph by an Australian or European sprinter in any sprint race at either track in which both Australia and Europe are represented.
The JRA offers the winner and runner-up in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July automatic places in their premier international invitational race, the Japan Cup in November. Usually, a selection panel meets much later than July to decide on invitations but the King George has been chosen as one of a select group of major races around the world for special treatment in this respect. The JRA also offer bonuses for the winners of the St James’s Palace Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes and September’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes should they be successful in their major international races.
Ascot is involved in the Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” initiative, which sees the winners of three Ascot races at the September meeting qualify for the US Championships that November and receive incentive bonuses.
Through many years of partnerships and relationship forming with owners, trainers, media and racing administrations around the world, Ascot is at the forefront of the global racing village.
GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE RACES
Coolmore Lightning Stakes (Group One) 30th January Flemington, Australia
King’s Stand Stakes (Group One) 15th June Royal Ascot, UK
Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group One) 19th June Royal Ascot, UK
Darley July Cup (Group One) 9th July Newmarket, UK
Centaur Stakes (Group Two) 12th Sept Hanshin, Japan
Sprinters Stakes (Group One) 3rd October Nakayama, Japan
Patinack Farm Classic (Group One) 6th Nov Flemington, Australia
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (Group One) 12th Dec Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Boy, oh Boy! The 2010 Shergar Cup at Ascot
As the world’s finest jockeys converge on Ascot, and a string of ‘80s acts perform after racing, we look back at last year’s racing action and this year’s concert.
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup attracts the cream of world riding talent to Ascot, as well as a string of pop legends from the 1980s. The competition on the track comprises of four teams; Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World. Each team has three jockeys with points awarded on a 15-10-7-5-3 basis for the first five home. Rivalry is fierce, not only are the jockeys riding for the team award, the coveted Shergar Cup, but also the Silver Saddle presented to the best individual rider of the day. In 2009, it was all about one man; Richard Hughes. Richard enjoyed an outstanding afternoon's work as a 377-1 treble sealed the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for himself and his Irish teammates.
It didn’t quite compare with his hat-trick on the first day of Royal Ascot aboard Paco Boy, Canford Cliffs and Judgethemoment, but it was enough to claim the Silver Saddle - a prize he first took back in 2002.While Indian rider Malesh Narredu and the Japanese Hiroyuki Uchida had never even seen the Berkshire course, Hughes knows virtually every blade of grass and waltzed to victory thanks to Polly's Mark, We'll Come and Press The Button. 'I'm very proud - in 2008 we were terrible!' said Hughes. 'I was lucky to have some good rides - if you're not in the hustle you won't win anything’.
Hughes shone particularly brightly on the giant We'll Come, poking up the far rail to bolt four and a half lengths clear in the Les Ambassadeurs Club Shergar Cup Mile Handicap. Hughes wrapped up the competition on Push The Button in the Michael Page International Shergar Cup Challenge before Callan added another Irish success as he delivered Aaim to Prosper late in the Sodexo Prestige Shergar Cup Stayers to pick off the 7-2 favourite Yes Mr President inside the final 100 yards.
Ireland ended the day with an incredible 101 points from the overall placings from Hughes, Seamie Heffernan and Neil Callan, while Hayley Turner's Great Britain team were runners-up on 56 points. Individually, Turner and the Swede Fredrik Johansson tied for second place on 30 points each; 19 behind Hughes.
Johansson teamed up with Nick Littmoden's chestnut Group Therapy in the opening Barclays Shergar Cup Dash, while the final word went to Turner, who had been stuck in traffic and had to sprint through the Parade Ring barefoot to make her first ride. She closed the meeting by scoring on Tom Dascombe's Noverre To Go in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint, in which Uchida was hit with a nine-day ban for excessive use of the whip on third-placed Able Master. 'It took me about three hours to get here, and I missed all the introductions, but it's such a good day and everyone always has a wonderful time,' said Turner before bopping away to the likes of Rick Astley, Curiosity Killed The Cat and Bucks Fizz in the Old Paddock.
As long as Hayley Turner stays injury-free, you may just see her don her leggings and mullet wig boogying down to this year’s line up of Boy George, The Christians, Belinda Carlisle, Johnny Hates Jazz, Midge Ure, China Crisis and Captain Sensible.
Back in 1983, I remember my excitement when I bought the original Now That’s What I Call Music LP. How I wish I’d kept it as the original version fetches a few quid on ebay these days. Wedged between Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Men Without Hats’ Safety Dance on the track list was UK number 1 Karma Chameleon by Culture Club fronted by the inimitable Boy George. Culture Club also had hits with Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - also a chart topper - and I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.
Another classic track from the era was Harvest For The World by The Christians, which reached number 8 in the UK in 1988 - a travesty it did not go higher. The band was one of a number of soul-influenced groups in the 1980s that had strong links to UK punk rock, New Wave music and post-punk. The band's frontman and lead singer Garry Christian became the group’s unique selling point with his distinctive look and velvet-smooth soulful tones. In Rock: The Rough Guide, music critic Charles Bottomley, described the band as ‘The Temptations in ripped jeans, producing gritty-centered songs in a sugary vocal shell’.
Belinda Carlisle makes a welcome return to the ‘80s Day line up having wowed the crowd in 2008. Once of the Go-Gos, Belinda Carlise launched her solo career in 1996. She didn’t have to wait long for a number one, when the next year Heaven Is A Place On Earth reached number 1 in the UK and seven other countries, including the US. Belinda went on a have a further five top ten hits, including Leave A Light On in 1989 and (We Want) The Same Thing one year later.
In April 1987, Johnny Hates Jazz vaulted to international success following the release of their first hit single Shattered Dreams. The group consists of singer-songwriter Clark Datchler, Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito. Here’s a fact for you should the conversation dry up on the journey home - the band’s tongue-in-cheek name referenced Nocito’s brother-in-law Johnny, who really did hate jazz!
James ‘Midge’ Ure, OBE is a guitarist, singer, keyboard player and songwriter from north of the border. He enjoyed particular success in the 1970s and 1980s in bands including Slik, Thin Lizzy, The Rich Kids, Visage, and most notably as frontman of Ultravox. Midge co-wrote and produced the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? and co-organised Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof. He twice received an Ivor Novello Award with Geldof for co-writing Do They Know It's Christmas? Ure acts as trustee for the charity, and serves as ambassador for Save The Children. His stage name, Midge, is a phonetic reversal of Jim, the diminutive form of his real name. Ascot is indeed honored to have a such a legend performing on the hallowed Old Paddock turf belting out his 1980 track Vienna (famously beaten to the top spot by Joe Dolce's novelty hit Shaddap You Face - less said about that the better).
Vocalist Nick Van Eede founded Cutting Crew along with Canadian guitarist Kevin Scott MacMichael in 1985. The band shot t number one in the US, Canada and Norway with their debut single ‘(I just) Died in Your Arms.’ The band received a prestigious Grammy nomination as Best New Artist of 1987.
Completing our line-up of stars form the ‘80s is Captain Sensible; co-founder of punk rock band The Damned who decided to go it alone in 1982. I remember being blown away as an impressionable teenager by Captain Sensible’s performance of Glad It’s All Over on Top of the Pops, with his distinctive red beret and wooden parrot - I didn’t then, and still don’t now, understand the significance of the latter. Never far from controversy, in September 2006 he formed a new British political party known as the Blah! Party. ‘Politics is dead’, he said in a statement at the time. ‘The British public aren't voting because the parties are totally ignoring their opinions. At the moment, the only real method of mass protest against this is by not voting’.
After the racing, take a trip down memory lane and relive the days of big hair, ‘Relax’ t-shirts and jackets with rolled up sleeves because the 1980s are back.
Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, including the Here and Now concert start from £25. To book, or for further information, call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk.
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup attracts the cream of world riding talent to Ascot, as well as a string of pop legends from the 1980s. The competition on the track comprises of four teams; Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World. Each team has three jockeys with points awarded on a 15-10-7-5-3 basis for the first five home. Rivalry is fierce, not only are the jockeys riding for the team award, the coveted Shergar Cup, but also the Silver Saddle presented to the best individual rider of the day. In 2009, it was all about one man; Richard Hughes. Richard enjoyed an outstanding afternoon's work as a 377-1 treble sealed the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for himself and his Irish teammates.
It didn’t quite compare with his hat-trick on the first day of Royal Ascot aboard Paco Boy, Canford Cliffs and Judgethemoment, but it was enough to claim the Silver Saddle - a prize he first took back in 2002.While Indian rider Malesh Narredu and the Japanese Hiroyuki Uchida had never even seen the Berkshire course, Hughes knows virtually every blade of grass and waltzed to victory thanks to Polly's Mark, We'll Come and Press The Button. 'I'm very proud - in 2008 we were terrible!' said Hughes. 'I was lucky to have some good rides - if you're not in the hustle you won't win anything’.
Hughes shone particularly brightly on the giant We'll Come, poking up the far rail to bolt four and a half lengths clear in the Les Ambassadeurs Club Shergar Cup Mile Handicap. Hughes wrapped up the competition on Push The Button in the Michael Page International Shergar Cup Challenge before Callan added another Irish success as he delivered Aaim to Prosper late in the Sodexo Prestige Shergar Cup Stayers to pick off the 7-2 favourite Yes Mr President inside the final 100 yards.
Ireland ended the day with an incredible 101 points from the overall placings from Hughes, Seamie Heffernan and Neil Callan, while Hayley Turner's Great Britain team were runners-up on 56 points. Individually, Turner and the Swede Fredrik Johansson tied for second place on 30 points each; 19 behind Hughes.
Johansson teamed up with Nick Littmoden's chestnut Group Therapy in the opening Barclays Shergar Cup Dash, while the final word went to Turner, who had been stuck in traffic and had to sprint through the Parade Ring barefoot to make her first ride. She closed the meeting by scoring on Tom Dascombe's Noverre To Go in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint, in which Uchida was hit with a nine-day ban for excessive use of the whip on third-placed Able Master. 'It took me about three hours to get here, and I missed all the introductions, but it's such a good day and everyone always has a wonderful time,' said Turner before bopping away to the likes of Rick Astley, Curiosity Killed The Cat and Bucks Fizz in the Old Paddock.
As long as Hayley Turner stays injury-free, you may just see her don her leggings and mullet wig boogying down to this year’s line up of Boy George, The Christians, Belinda Carlisle, Johnny Hates Jazz, Midge Ure, China Crisis and Captain Sensible.
Back in 1983, I remember my excitement when I bought the original Now That’s What I Call Music LP. How I wish I’d kept it as the original version fetches a few quid on ebay these days. Wedged between Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Men Without Hats’ Safety Dance on the track list was UK number 1 Karma Chameleon by Culture Club fronted by the inimitable Boy George. Culture Club also had hits with Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - also a chart topper - and I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.
Another classic track from the era was Harvest For The World by The Christians, which reached number 8 in the UK in 1988 - a travesty it did not go higher. The band was one of a number of soul-influenced groups in the 1980s that had strong links to UK punk rock, New Wave music and post-punk. The band's frontman and lead singer Garry Christian became the group’s unique selling point with his distinctive look and velvet-smooth soulful tones. In Rock: The Rough Guide, music critic Charles Bottomley, described the band as ‘The Temptations in ripped jeans, producing gritty-centered songs in a sugary vocal shell’.
Belinda Carlisle makes a welcome return to the ‘80s Day line up having wowed the crowd in 2008. Once of the Go-Gos, Belinda Carlise launched her solo career in 1996. She didn’t have to wait long for a number one, when the next year Heaven Is A Place On Earth reached number 1 in the UK and seven other countries, including the US. Belinda went on a have a further five top ten hits, including Leave A Light On in 1989 and (We Want) The Same Thing one year later.
In April 1987, Johnny Hates Jazz vaulted to international success following the release of their first hit single Shattered Dreams. The group consists of singer-songwriter Clark Datchler, Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito. Here’s a fact for you should the conversation dry up on the journey home - the band’s tongue-in-cheek name referenced Nocito’s brother-in-law Johnny, who really did hate jazz!
James ‘Midge’ Ure, OBE is a guitarist, singer, keyboard player and songwriter from north of the border. He enjoyed particular success in the 1970s and 1980s in bands including Slik, Thin Lizzy, The Rich Kids, Visage, and most notably as frontman of Ultravox. Midge co-wrote and produced the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? and co-organised Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof. He twice received an Ivor Novello Award with Geldof for co-writing Do They Know It's Christmas? Ure acts as trustee for the charity, and serves as ambassador for Save The Children. His stage name, Midge, is a phonetic reversal of Jim, the diminutive form of his real name. Ascot is indeed honored to have a such a legend performing on the hallowed Old Paddock turf belting out his 1980 track Vienna (famously beaten to the top spot by Joe Dolce's novelty hit Shaddap You Face - less said about that the better).
Vocalist Nick Van Eede founded Cutting Crew along with Canadian guitarist Kevin Scott MacMichael in 1985. The band shot t number one in the US, Canada and Norway with their debut single ‘(I just) Died in Your Arms.’ The band received a prestigious Grammy nomination as Best New Artist of 1987.
Completing our line-up of stars form the ‘80s is Captain Sensible; co-founder of punk rock band The Damned who decided to go it alone in 1982. I remember being blown away as an impressionable teenager by Captain Sensible’s performance of Glad It’s All Over on Top of the Pops, with his distinctive red beret and wooden parrot - I didn’t then, and still don’t now, understand the significance of the latter. Never far from controversy, in September 2006 he formed a new British political party known as the Blah! Party. ‘Politics is dead’, he said in a statement at the time. ‘The British public aren't voting because the parties are totally ignoring their opinions. At the moment, the only real method of mass protest against this is by not voting’.
After the racing, take a trip down memory lane and relive the days of big hair, ‘Relax’ t-shirts and jackets with rolled up sleeves because the 1980s are back.
Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, including the Here and Now concert start from £25. To book, or for further information, call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Where to watch the Stars of the Show at Ascot
The route of the horses on the day can be very interesting as it may be a good indication of how the horse is shaping up for the race. To give you the full Ascot racing experience, you can mirror the horses’ steps as outlined below:
Pre Parade Ring: The first sight of the horses is in the Pre-Parade Ring where they are walked around by their stable hand or ‘lad’ prior to having their saddle put on. After a few laps of the ring, the horse will be led to the saddling boxes to be kitted out for the Parade Ring.
Parade Ring: The Parade Ring is where you have the best sight of the horses before the race and where many racegoers make their selections. The horses are led into the Parade Ring to warm up and looked over by the vet about 15 minutes before the race.
This also acts as an opportunity for the jockeys to have a final word with the trainer about the race ahead. Once the bell is rung jockeys climb aboard their horses and make their way to the track where the horse will be loaded into the starting stalls.
The Race: Now it’s time to take your position for the race. At Ascot there are two admission areas in which to watch the race. The Premier Admission area on Level 4 of the Grandstand overlooks the whole course and Grandstand Admission offers a closer view on the Concourse level. Both areas have a great view of the straight mile leading up to the finish.
The Winners’ Enclosure: Having watched the race, and with any luck seeing the horse you backed come in first, it’s time to head back to the Parade Ring. Each jockey will then remove the saddle and be weighed in, making sure they have not lost any weight giving them an unfair advantage. Once the buzzer is sounded the result is finalised. You can then watch the trophy presentation to the owner, trainer and jockey in the Winners’ Enclosure.
Pre Parade Ring: The first sight of the horses is in the Pre-Parade Ring where they are walked around by their stable hand or ‘lad’ prior to having their saddle put on. After a few laps of the ring, the horse will be led to the saddling boxes to be kitted out for the Parade Ring.
Parade Ring: The Parade Ring is where you have the best sight of the horses before the race and where many racegoers make their selections. The horses are led into the Parade Ring to warm up and looked over by the vet about 15 minutes before the race.
This also acts as an opportunity for the jockeys to have a final word with the trainer about the race ahead. Once the bell is rung jockeys climb aboard their horses and make their way to the track where the horse will be loaded into the starting stalls.
The Race: Now it’s time to take your position for the race. At Ascot there are two admission areas in which to watch the race. The Premier Admission area on Level 4 of the Grandstand overlooks the whole course and Grandstand Admission offers a closer view on the Concourse level. Both areas have a great view of the straight mile leading up to the finish.
The Winners’ Enclosure: Having watched the race, and with any luck seeing the horse you backed come in first, it’s time to head back to the Parade Ring. Each jockey will then remove the saddle and be weighed in, making sure they have not lost any weight giving them an unfair advantage. Once the buzzer is sounded the result is finalised. You can then watch the trophy presentation to the owner, trainer and jockey in the Winners’ Enclosure.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
The Queen Anne Legacy
As Ascot approaches its 300th birthday, John Blake looks at the life and times of the racecourse’s founder; Queen Anne.
On 11th August 2011, it will be 300 years to the day that Ascot held its first race meeting. Tradition has it that, whilst on a leisurely ride from Windsor Castle, Queen Anne had the notion that the land at East Cote looked like the perfect spot for horses to canter at full stretch. Over time, East Cote became Ascot and the rest, as they say, is history!
The first race was Her Majesty’s Plate worth 100 guineas and open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six. This contest bore little resemblance to the racing you will see at Ascot today. The seven horses were all English Hunters, quite different to the speedy thoroughbreds on show at this year’s Royal Meeting. The race consisted of three separate heats which were over four miles long, so the winner would have been a horse with tremendous stamina. Sadly, there is no record of the winner of the first race.
Queen Anne gets a pretty rough ride in the history books, portrayed as a monarch beset by personal ill-health and political skulduggery. However, without her vision there would be no Ascot Racecourse, or Royal Ascot for that matter. There are also plenty of other reasons why we should appreciate Queen Anne; a monarch whose erstwhile contribution to this country is too often overlooked by historians.
Anne was born in St. James Palace on 6th February 1665, the year the Great Plague terrorised the country. It could be argued that this fateful omen shaped the rest of her life. One cannot help but be touched by the way Anne dealt with the trials and tribulations that life threw at her. As a child, Anne suffered from an eye infection that saw her shipped off to live with her grandmother Henrietta Maria of France and, in her adult years, she was ravaged by gout that turned to erysipelas and eventually killed her on 1st August 1714; aged just 49.
On 28th July 1683, Anne married Prince George of Denmark. With her husband, she suffered the trauma of four miscarriages, seven still births and six children who would not live to celebrate their second birthday, with the exception of William Duke of Gloucester, a sickly child who tragically contracted smallpox on his eleventh birthday and subsequently died. This lack of an heir would lead to turmoil after her death including two Jacobite rebellions in 1715 and 1719.
Following the death of her father, William III in March 1702, Anne became embroiled in the attempt to unify England and Scotland. When the Act of Settlement was passed in 1701, the English Parliament saw fit not to consult with the Parliament of Scotland. In retaliation, the Scots passed an act decreeing that only the government north of the border could elect the next Scottish monarch. To unravel this political conundrum, Anne appointed commissioners to arbitrate between the English and the Scots, resulting in the Articles of Union which eventually united the two realms.
The reign of Queen Anne saw the development of today’s two party political system. Similar to the present day, the political merry-go-round was not short of intrigue and machinations with Whigs and Tories jockeying for position. Although the monarchy’s power was stripped following the days of republican Commonwealth sixty or so years earlier, Anne found herself at the centre of a political power struggle in February 1708 when the Duke of Marlborough (of Battle of Blenheim fame) and Sidney Godolphin all but forced her to sack the then Secretary of State, Robert Harley, over the leaking of documents from his department (sounds familiar, doesn’t it!).
Heartbreak struck again in October the same year when Anne’s beloved husband, Prince George of Denmark, and Lord High Admiral, died. Anne was devastated by the loss, but ever resourceful and pragmatic - as well as not trusting any politician to do the job properly - she appointed herself the head of the Admiralty.
The reign of Anne is also notable for the advance of artistic, literary and scientific achievements. In architecture, Sir John Vanburgh constructed impressive landmarks such as Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. The age saw eminent writers such as Daniel Defoe, Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift, flourish. Her name is also associated with the world’s first copyright law known as the Statute of Anne, which granted exclusive rights to authors as opposed to printers.
The Queen Anne architectural style became popular in the late 1800s, the Bluecoat Building in Liverpool being a prime example, with her name harking back to a sense of old world elegance and extravagant, ornate detail.
Queen Anne’s influence also extended overseas; the American city of Annapolis, Maryland, which originally bore several other names, was given its present name in 1694 by Sir Francis Nicholson, in honour of the then Princess Anne. Princess Anne County, Virginia, was named before her accession to the throne and Queen Anne's County in Maryland was named for her in 1706. Furthermore, upon its capture from the French in 1710, Port-Royal in Nova Scotia was renamed Annapolis Royal.
Rather glibly, we like to think that Queen Anne’s greatest achievement was the creation of the world’s most famous racecourse and her legacy is in the millions of racehorses, owners, trainers, jockeys and racegoers that have graced East Cote for the past three hundred years. So, in 2011 let’s raise our glasses to the ever resourceful, visionary and resilient Queen Anne.
If you would like to share your memories of past visits to Ascot with us, please write to 1711 to 2011 Memories, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX or e-mail 1711to2011@ascot.co.uk. All photographs will be returned.
On 11th August 2011, it will be 300 years to the day that Ascot held its first race meeting. Tradition has it that, whilst on a leisurely ride from Windsor Castle, Queen Anne had the notion that the land at East Cote looked like the perfect spot for horses to canter at full stretch. Over time, East Cote became Ascot and the rest, as they say, is history!
The first race was Her Majesty’s Plate worth 100 guineas and open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six. This contest bore little resemblance to the racing you will see at Ascot today. The seven horses were all English Hunters, quite different to the speedy thoroughbreds on show at this year’s Royal Meeting. The race consisted of three separate heats which were over four miles long, so the winner would have been a horse with tremendous stamina. Sadly, there is no record of the winner of the first race.
Queen Anne gets a pretty rough ride in the history books, portrayed as a monarch beset by personal ill-health and political skulduggery. However, without her vision there would be no Ascot Racecourse, or Royal Ascot for that matter. There are also plenty of other reasons why we should appreciate Queen Anne; a monarch whose erstwhile contribution to this country is too often overlooked by historians.
Anne was born in St. James Palace on 6th February 1665, the year the Great Plague terrorised the country. It could be argued that this fateful omen shaped the rest of her life. One cannot help but be touched by the way Anne dealt with the trials and tribulations that life threw at her. As a child, Anne suffered from an eye infection that saw her shipped off to live with her grandmother Henrietta Maria of France and, in her adult years, she was ravaged by gout that turned to erysipelas and eventually killed her on 1st August 1714; aged just 49.
On 28th July 1683, Anne married Prince George of Denmark. With her husband, she suffered the trauma of four miscarriages, seven still births and six children who would not live to celebrate their second birthday, with the exception of William Duke of Gloucester, a sickly child who tragically contracted smallpox on his eleventh birthday and subsequently died. This lack of an heir would lead to turmoil after her death including two Jacobite rebellions in 1715 and 1719.
Following the death of her father, William III in March 1702, Anne became embroiled in the attempt to unify England and Scotland. When the Act of Settlement was passed in 1701, the English Parliament saw fit not to consult with the Parliament of Scotland. In retaliation, the Scots passed an act decreeing that only the government north of the border could elect the next Scottish monarch. To unravel this political conundrum, Anne appointed commissioners to arbitrate between the English and the Scots, resulting in the Articles of Union which eventually united the two realms.
The reign of Queen Anne saw the development of today’s two party political system. Similar to the present day, the political merry-go-round was not short of intrigue and machinations with Whigs and Tories jockeying for position. Although the monarchy’s power was stripped following the days of republican Commonwealth sixty or so years earlier, Anne found herself at the centre of a political power struggle in February 1708 when the Duke of Marlborough (of Battle of Blenheim fame) and Sidney Godolphin all but forced her to sack the then Secretary of State, Robert Harley, over the leaking of documents from his department (sounds familiar, doesn’t it!).
Heartbreak struck again in October the same year when Anne’s beloved husband, Prince George of Denmark, and Lord High Admiral, died. Anne was devastated by the loss, but ever resourceful and pragmatic - as well as not trusting any politician to do the job properly - she appointed herself the head of the Admiralty.
The reign of Anne is also notable for the advance of artistic, literary and scientific achievements. In architecture, Sir John Vanburgh constructed impressive landmarks such as Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. The age saw eminent writers such as Daniel Defoe, Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift, flourish. Her name is also associated with the world’s first copyright law known as the Statute of Anne, which granted exclusive rights to authors as opposed to printers.
The Queen Anne architectural style became popular in the late 1800s, the Bluecoat Building in Liverpool being a prime example, with her name harking back to a sense of old world elegance and extravagant, ornate detail.
Queen Anne’s influence also extended overseas; the American city of Annapolis, Maryland, which originally bore several other names, was given its present name in 1694 by Sir Francis Nicholson, in honour of the then Princess Anne. Princess Anne County, Virginia, was named before her accession to the throne and Queen Anne's County in Maryland was named for her in 1706. Furthermore, upon its capture from the French in 1710, Port-Royal in Nova Scotia was renamed Annapolis Royal.
Rather glibly, we like to think that Queen Anne’s greatest achievement was the creation of the world’s most famous racecourse and her legacy is in the millions of racehorses, owners, trainers, jockeys and racegoers that have graced East Cote for the past three hundred years. So, in 2011 let’s raise our glasses to the ever resourceful, visionary and resilient Queen Anne.
If you would like to share your memories of past visits to Ascot with us, please write to 1711 to 2011 Memories, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX or e-mail 1711to2011@ascot.co.uk. All photographs will be returned.
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