Wantage based Pitstop Brewery Revving up for the CAMRA Ascot Beer Festival in September

Rip Van Winkle wins the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 2009.

The CAMRA Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival attracts an ever increasing crowd. In 2009, 21,000 pints were sold over the two days.

Pitstop Brewery, based behind Bellingers Garage in Grove near Wantage, has announced that it is to brew a Festival Special for the 4th CAMRA Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th September 2010.

Horsepower is a 7% American-style IPA, heavily hopped with Centennial, Chinook and Cascade hops. Pitstop Brewery boss Peter Fowler said, ‘I have used Belgian yeast to give extra flavour. The result is an ever-so-slightly-hazy straw-coloured beer - probably caused from the excess of hop oils - that bursts with flavour and has a wonderfully long-lasting hoppy aftertaste’.

Peter went on to explain; ‘I'm putting Horsepower all as one word to formalise it into the motor racing world’. The real ale is hoping to emulate the feat of Sump, a superb example of a black Russian style stout that won the Beer of the Festival at Ascot in 2009.

The September meeting at Ascot, aka The Ascot Festival, is a highlight of the Flat season and one of the feature race days of the Ascot calendar. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by Sony) is Europe's top mile race and crowns the top miler in Europe. Also on the card are the Group One Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile and the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes, for the top two year old milers. It was on this day in 1996 that Frankie Dettori went through the card winning all seven races and creating history!

The annual Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival started in 2007 and is organised by the Berkshire South East branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

The Campaign for Real Ale campaigns for real ale, real pubs and consumer rights. They are an independent, voluntary organisation with over 100,000 members and have been described as the most successful consumer group in Europe. CAMRA promotes good-quality real ale and pubs, as well as acting as the consumer's champion in relation to the UK and European beer and drinks industry: www.camra.org.uk.

Past winners of the Beer of the Festival Award as voted for by racegoers are as follows:
2007: Summer Lightning brewed by Hop Back Brewery, Downton, Wiltshire.
2008: Barbus Barbus brewed by Butts Brewery, Great Shefford, Berkshire.
2009: Sump brewed by Pitstop Brewery, Wantage, Oxfordshire.

Tickets start from just £11. To book call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk. Gates and bars open at 11am with the first race off at 2pm. A voucher system will be in operation for all Beer Festival ales, perries and ciders. A half pint is priced at £1.40 and a pint £2.80. A limited edition commemorative oversized pint glass is available for £4.

Fun Horsey Facts and Trivia

• There are over 350 different breeds of horses and ponies.
• A horse is considered adult at age four.
• Horses usually live to be 20-25 years old. The oldest horse lived to be 62.
• The longest tail measured was 22ft long, and was grown by an American Palomino named Chinook.
• Anything under 14.2 hands high is a pony.
• Horses have 2 blind spots. One is directly behind them and the other is directly in front of them.The average horse's head weighs 11.84 pounds.
• Horses can drink up to ten gallons of water a day.
• Horses lose more energy lying down than they do when they are standing up.
• The smallest pony ever recorded is "Little Pumpkin". Foaled on April 15, 1973; he stood 14 inches high and weighed just 20 pounds a year later.
• The tallest documented horse was a shire gelding named Sampson. Foaled in 1846, he measured 21.2hh in 1950 weighed 3,360 pounds.
• The word 'Dressage' comes from the French verb "dresser" meaning to train.
• Rabbits are more closely related to horses than they are to rats or mice!

The Scene is set for an Action Packed King George Day at Ascot

KING GEORGE DAY AT ASCOT: SATURDAY 24TH JULY 2010

Conduit wins the 2009 King GeorgeVI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair)

Spectacular Racing Action
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Betfair, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary with us today) commemorates Her Majesty The Queen's late parents and is the European mid season middle distance championship. With £1,000,000 on offer, the "King George" is Ascot's most valuable and most important race. See English Dery Winner Workhorse take on Irish Derby Winner Cape Blanco. The supporting card is second to none with the £75,000 International Handicap the big betting race of the day and the Group Three Princess Margaret Abu Dhabi Stakes a traditional pointer towards the following season’s Stan James 1,000 Guineas.
Take time to relax and unwind this summer at the highlight of the British summer season. This race meeting is a dazzling day out of style, fashion, sophistication and excitement. Outside of Royal Ascot this is a date for your diary and a definite occasion to purchase a new hat! The fashion stakes at this event are as high as at Royal Ascot in a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Dress Code: Cocktail dresses and black tie not compulsory, many ladies wear hats to this event and gentlemen usually wear a shirt and tie. The fashion stakes at this event are as high as at Royal Ascot but in a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Experience the Real Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Culture & Hospitality Tent will be located on the Cedar Tree Lawn today. This will feature literature about Abu Dhabi and traditional Abu Dhabi arts such as basket weaving, Henna tattoos and calligraphy as well as the chance to taste Arabic coffee and have your photo taken with a hawk.

Eithad Airways Formula 1 Car
An Eithad Airways Formula 1 car will be located outside Core 3 today. Visit the car for your chance to be entered in to a prize draw to win a weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Retraining of Racehorses
The Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) is British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing. There will be a parade of ex-race horses in the Parade Ring today demonstrating the varied options horses have after their career on the track. See page xxx for more details.
Arabian Purebred Classic Series
The penultimate race at Ascot today is the 2nd running of the President of the United Arab Emirates Cup Series. The race is part of the original Arabian Purebred Classic Series with the other renewals run in France and Russia and is equivalent to a Group 1 race for Arabian horses.
Arabian horses lived among the desert tribes of the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years, bred by the Bedouins as war companions. Because of their breeding in the rough terrains of the desert, Pure-bred Arabians display great tenacity, surprising strength and incredible endurance all qualities that will make a spectacular race today.
The Ascot Summer Cocktail Party
Why not visit the Plaza Lawn area of the racecourse today to soak up the 1920’s atmosphere of the cocktail party. Enjoy and array of cocktails including the Betfair xxxxxxxxx and the official Royal Ascot cocktail, returning today by popular demand; Royal Blush.
Cocktail party goers will be serenaded by jazz on the Bandstand and our baby grand piano on the Grandstand Lawns.
After Racing Party
Step up the tempo after racing as the party begins! Join us for live music and dancing around the Bandstand as you sing along to all the old party favourites for an hour after racing.
Jaguar International
Around the Parade Ring, Jaguar will be displaying their luxury XK, XF and the all new XJ, models. Experts will be on hand to answer any queries.
Topiary Darlings
Why not visit the sophisticated and quirky topiary darlings, our elegant living topiary will proudly preen in their pots throughout the day.

Artists in Residence
Artists Liz Armstrong are and Conversation Pieces will be at Ascot today.
Timings
11am - Cocktail lounges open, Abu Dhabi marquee opens, Eithad Airways prize draw opens
12pm - Racecourse Tour
12.30pm - Retraining of Race Horses Parade
1.25pm - First Race
4.25pm - King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair)
5pm - Arabian Purebred Classic Series
5.10pm - Last race
5.15pm - After racing party.
How to book tickets
Tickets start from £25. To book, call 0870 727 1234 or visit www.ascot.co.uk

International Stars Lined Up for The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

Top South African jockey Anton Marcus, who is the clear leader in his country’s jockeys’ championship and who gained international recognition when winning the 2008 Dubai Duty Free (Group 1) on Jay Peg, will captain a powerful Rest of the World Team in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition, at Ascot on Saturday, August 7.

Marcus, who is nicknamed “Superman” in his homeland, will be joined by the highly experienced Yasunari Iwata from Japan, who sprang to international prominence when winning the 2006 Melbourne Cup (Group 1) on Delta Blues. He also won the Japan Cup (Group 1) on Admire Moon in 2007 and the 2008 Yasuda Kinen (Group 1) on Vodka. In 2008, he landed the JRA Award for Best Jockey (in terms of prize money won), ending the seven-year reign of Yutaka Take.

The trio is completed by the up and coming Australian star, Luke Nolen, who is currently clear leader in the Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership. Retained by trainer Peter Moody, he has ridden Typhoon Tracy to four Group 1 victories in the last nine months and partnered Wanted to win the Newmarket Handicap (Group 1) in March. Nolen enjoyed the biggest success of his career so far when landing the 2007 Cox Plate (Group 1) on El Segundo.

The European Team will be captained by Frankie Dettori as long as he is free from riding commitments for Godolphin. Frankie will be joined by fellow Italian Umberto Rispoli, who re-wrote the record books in Italy last season when riding 245 winners, breaking the previous record of 229 winners set by Frankie’s father, Gianfranco Dettori, way back in 1982.

The third member of the European Team has yet to be confirmed, but is likely to be either Olivier Peslier or Christophe Soumillon, neither of whom has participated in the event before.

The line-ups for the Ireland and Great Britain Teams will be announced nearer the time.

“We are delighted to have secured the participation of two highly experienced, established stars from overseas in the shape of Anton Marcus and Yasunari Iwata and two up-and-coming riders who have already made a big impression in their own countries in Luke Nolen and Umberto Rispoli,” said Ascot’s Head of Communications and International Racing, Nick Smith.

“The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup provides a great opportunity for some of the world’s top jockeys to showcase their talents in the UK and we are looking forward to a great contest next month.”

The six races will be followed by an 80s concert with a line-up including Boy George, Midge Ure and Belinda Carlisle. It has been Ascot’s best attended raceday outside the Royal Meeting in recent years with a crowd of around 30,000 expected. Tickets (Premier admission £35; General admission £25) can be booked in advance with a minimum 10% discount (higher discounts are available for group bookings) at www.ascot.co.uk or by calling 0870 727 1234.

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is one of the world’s major international jockeys’ competitions which was first staged at Ascot in 2000. Twelve top riders take part, three representing Great Britain, three Ireland, three Europe and three riding for the Rest of the World. The day features six races, all handicaps worth £30,000, with each jockey having five rides and sitting out one race. Points are awarded on a 15, 10, 7, 5, 3 basis to the first five horses to finish in each race and the team with the highest points total after the last race lifts the Shergar Cup trophy. The top individual points-scoring rider wins the Silver Saddle trophy.

Dubai Duty Free, the world’s number one airport retailer, has been involved with the Shergar Cup since its inception, and became title sponsor of the event in 2006.

Further information:

Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing, Ascot, 07771 791 449

Alistair Haggis, Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Event Manager, 07761 896500

Jockeys To Wear Team Colours in The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

The jockeys competing in the four team Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup will wear team colours for the first time at this year’s renewal on Saturday, 7th August.

The Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and Ascot Racecourse, both mindful of the many and varied current industry initiatives aimed at broadening the appeal of the sport, have agreed to this one year trial in the belief that this will add to the sense of competition and to the spectacle.

The three jockeys riding for the Great Britain team will wear red and white colours, the jockeys representing Ireland will wear green and white, the jockeys riding for Europe will wear blue and white and the Rest of the World team will wear black and white.

Distinguishing caps and sleeves (checks, hoops and stars) will allow commentators, racegoers and TV viewers to differentiate between the jockeys riding within each team.

“We are very grateful to the ROA for giving us the go-ahead for this trial,” said Ascot’s Head of Communications, Nick Smith.

“Seeing their horses in their own colours is obviously important to owners so the ROA is to be applauded for its flexibility and foresight in lending its weight to the initiative, which is aimed at enabling racegoers to follow more easily this unique team competition.

“The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has been the best attended raceday at Ascot outside the Royal Meeting in recent years, attracting a crowd of around 30,000, many of whom are new to the sport and to whom this initiative is expected to appeal. It should also add to the sense of fun for viewers watching at home on At The Races, who have exciting plans for all day coverage from Ascot, which is their stand alone afternoon card.”

Michael Harris, Chief Executive of the Racehorse Owners’ Association, said: “Ascot has always made this one-off day rewarding for owners, with no entry fees, decent prize money for races of their grades paid down to last place, number cloth sponsorship for every runner and complimentary hospitality throughout the day. This is a one off event and I hope that owners really get behind the trial.”

Nick Attenborough, PR Director for Racing For Change, added: ‘We’re delighted that team silks have been agreed for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. Ascot has done a great job of building this day into a major event which attracts many novice racegoers. This latest initiative will further enhance it.”

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is one of the world’s major international jockeys’ competitions which was first staged at Ascot in 2000. Twelve top riders take part, three representing Great Britain, three Ireland, three Europe and three riding for the Rest of the World. The day features six races, all handicaps worth £30,000, with each jockey having five rides and sitting out one race. Points are awarded on a 15, 10, 7, 5, 3 basis to the first five horses to finish in each race and the team with the highest points total after the last race lifts the Shergar Cup trophy. The top individual points-scoring rider wins the Silver Saddle trophy.

Dubai Duty Free, the world’s number one airport retailer, has been involved with the Shergar Cup since its inception, and became title sponsor of the event in 2006.

Royal Ascot Racing Club Update 28th June 2010

Prompter has been entered to run at Sandown on Friday July 2nd in The Gala Stakes over one mile and two furlongs at 4.00 pm. This horse is in great form and is working very well. He was mentioned in The Racing Post gallops report on the weekend having done an impressive piece of work on the watered gallop. The obvious frustration is that ground conditions do not currently suit him and I suspect that he is highly unlikely to run on Friday unless there are heavy thunderstorms. At some point the weather will turn in his favour, but in the meantime we would all have to be very patient.

Pollenator will return to the stud this week and Richard Hughes and Richard Hannon both advise that this filly is retired as they feel that she no longer wants to race. Needless to say this is disappointing, but it is not unusual for fillies to fail to train on from two to three. The worst thing we could do is to devalue her by carrying aimlessly on and so having discussed this in depth with John Warren, we feel that it is right to draw stumps and to sell her in the December Sales in Newmarket.

Mirabella is in good form and is ready to run again. She has been given an entry at Sandown on Friday over one mile and two furlongs in The Coral TV Handicap Stakes at 5.25 pm and we will be back in touch on Wednesday to confirm plans. She is now over the corn issue which prevented her from running last week.

Metaphoric is in cracking form and Michael Bell could not be happier with him. He is now doing two strong canters and Michael hopes to have him ready to run sometime in August. Obviously the acid test will be how he copes with fast work, but at the moment the leg looks to have healed well and we are hopeful that he will race again. The trainer has stated that his longer term target this year will be the Prix de Cadaran (Gr1) at Longchamp on Arc Weekend!

Expose has done very well physically but has flipped his palate a couple of times which may mean that the vets will have to do a quick operation to ensure that this does not stop him in the future. He is an imposing horse who has physically changed out of all recognition and depending on whether an operation is needed, will be running in late August or early September. I will of course keep you closely posted on this and will have more news the week after next when the wind expert Geoffrey Lane has inspected him.

Paul Nicholls reports Advisor to be in good form and enjoying his summer break. He will be brought back in from the field and will have his wind operation in approximately two to three weeks time. He should not take long to get over this as he has age on his side, but I will again of course keep you fully informed.

Free Racing at Ascot if Germany beat England on Sunday 27th June

If England fail to progress against the Germans this Sunday, we would like to soften the blow for all our Twitter followers and offer two free tickets to Ascot on Friday 9th July absolutely FREE.
If the unthinkable happens, e-mail your name and address to twitter@ascot.co.uk by Friday 2nd July and you will be sent two Premier Admission tickets to our race meeting on Friday 9th July: Property Raceday.
The day features a competitive and varied six race card on a more relaxed Ascot raceday - what better place to follow all the action not just from Ascot but from York and Newmarket, where the Darley July Cup, a partner race in the Global Sprint Challenge that begins at Ascot in June, is the feature race.
We sincerely hope this promotion fails to deliver and England advance all the way to the World Cup Final!