Royal Ascot Is Celebrating 300 Years of Tradition.

[PJMIII]

A Week at the Races

Every third week in June, shortly before 2 p.m., the race-goers standing in front of the Royal Enclosure at Ascot racecourse in southern England are treated to an intimate view of a little remnant of British pageantry.

Coming down the straight from the immaculate lawn that forms a green terrace in front of the Royal Enclosure, the first signs of the royal party's arrival are marked by the faint, rhythmic bobbing of shiny, black top hats emerging over a slight incline. Led by two postillions riding Windsor Grey horses, the procession of carriages carrying members of the royal family was described by the late English artist Sir Alfred Munnings as "a long glittering line of moving scarlet and gold."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj

[PJMIII]

Frankel is Henry Cecil's Royal Ascot star turn but Twice Over is value

Talented horses from America, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan will converge on Ascot this week, but the most fascinating prospect is Frankel, who surely has no chance of making as deep an impression as when we last saw him. His runaway success in the 2,000 Guineas was the most amazing performance in an English Classic of my racing lifetime and the Ascot crowd will doubtless hope he can do something similar in the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011...el-henry-cecil

[brigadier gerard]

Richard Hannon on Canford Cliffs:

[I][/I "He has looked better than ever this season and has improved since the Lockinge. He was entitled to be a bit rusty at Newbury as he had been off since Glorious Goodwood last year, and, while he can sometimes be a bit switched off in the mornings, Hughesie woke him up on the gallops last week and they then went to Kempton, where he looked really sharp.
http://www.richardhannonracing.tv/news.php

[PJMIII]

Frankel, Goldikova set to shine on Royal Ascot opener

Superstars abound at Royal Ascot this week, but perhaps most eyes will be on FRANKEL (Galileo [Ire]) when Sir Henry Cecil's superstar defends his unbeaten record in the St James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) on Tuesday. The mile affair is one of three at the Group 1 level on the opening day of the five-day meeting.

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=22553

[PJMIII]

Murtagh rides Deacon Blues in Wokingham

DEACON BLUES will have a new rider in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot on Saturday after Johnny Murtagh was booked for the 7-1 joint-favourite.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...am/870894/top/

[Kennedy]

Tuesday June 14th

Queen Anne - Canford Cliffs
Kings Stand - Bridgetown
St James's Palace - Frankel
Coventry - Power
Ascot - Sunwise
Windsor Castle - Magic City

[islandgirl45]

Here's a brief video interview with Mike Smith at Royal Ascot.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...5-412FA3230722