The Royal Ascot 2012

The Royal Ascot 2012

The year 2012 will most certainly be one for the ages. In addition to the 2012 Summer Olympics which will be hosted in London this upcoming July, the Royal Ascot 2012 to be held June 19-23 synchronises with Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee culminating in a year that has been unparalleled throughout history. Esteemed as the most prestigious racing event in the world, Royal Ascot debuted in 1711 with its founder Queen Anne being led in a horse-drawn Royal Carriage from Windsor Castle to the Ascot Racecourse.

The year’s festivities begin in auspicious fashion with arguably the best racehorse in the world, Frankel running in the very first race of the event. Below is a short list of races with information pertaining to each.

The Queen Anne Stakes- The very first race of the sporting event will be headlined by Frankel, the top-rated racehorse in the world as he seeks to win his eleventh win in eleven tries. The stiffest competition will come from Excelebration and the Epsom winner Side Glance as well as Strong Suit who is owned by Sheikh Fahad.

The King’s Stand Stakes- Running in defence of his crown, Prohibit will be challenged by Sole Power, Spirit Quartz and Monsieur Joe in this year’s race.

The St James’s Palace Stakes- Won last year by Frankel who is stepping up in competition, competing in this year’s Stakes will be Tales Of Grimm and Power who is trained by Aidan O’Brien and appears to be one of the early favourites. Known as the highlight of betting on the 1st day of racing as all 3rd races are, this race typically offers various free betting specials by some of the more esteemed bookmakers, such as Skybet and William Hill to name a couple.

The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes- Celebrating the 150th anniversary of this event who better to win this year’s race than Her Majesty The Queen’s very own four-year-old Carlton House. Also running will be Tattersalls Gold Cup winner So You Think, Coronation Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey, Monterosso who won this year’s Dubai World Cup and Champions Mile winner Xtension to name a few.

The Gold Cup- Highlighting Ladies Day, The Gold Cup is the largest Group One race that England hosts besides the Classics. The most prestigious of all flat-racing events, is ran by only 4 year olds and the older thoroughbreds in this longest of all Group One races. The 2 miles and 4 furlongs require strength and speed that only the most durable can muster. While not the oldest race at the Ascot it is by far the most important race of the meet. Betting on this race has not been restricted to online pool betting, though it tends to pay huge dividends. Bookmakers such as Victor Chandler and Bluesq provide fortuitous odds in this handicap race to use your free bet with. This race which is one of few Group One races that allow a horse to compete more than once in their career will be favoured by last year’s winner Fame And Glory.

The Coronation Stakes- This Grade One race pits the top 3 year old fillies over a distance of a mile. Some of the notable runners include Homecoming Queen, Lightening Pearl, Intense Pink and Esentepe. Favoured this year will be Samitar with Elusive Kate not yet ruled out for making a return to this race.

Golden Jubilee Stakes- Debuting in 1868 as the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, this race was renamed in 2002 commemorating the Golden Jubilee of that year. This year it was again renamed for the queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations making 2012 a year to be forever remembered. Black Caviar enters as the 2nd highest rated horse worldwide behind Frankel coming in with a 21 race unbeaten streak and the odds-on favourite so a great horse to use with your free bets.

Coventry Stakes- At 6 furlongs Dawn Approach enters as the 11-4 favourite to win the race. Also running will be Jalaa and Funk Soul Brother in addition to up-and-comer New Pearl.

Royal Hunt Cup- This extremely large field will be most hotly contested by a select few. Boogie Shoes, Arabian Star, Bronze Prince and Highland Knight are among these few.

Queen Mary Stakes- Ceiling Kitty enters on a high note after winning the Listed Marygate Fillies’ Stakes. Shumoos tops the betting at 7-4 odds. Tiz Terific and Somasach enter at 16-1 and 12-1 odds respectively.

Wokingham Handicap- This handicap race on the final day of Ascot festivities will be favoured by Pearl Ice coming in at 10-1 odds with oddsmakers placing the closest competition at 14-1 odds. Bookmakers Bet365, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power offer betting specials on this and all other races of this Royal Ascot of 2012. View the bookmakers on our site for all the current horse racing free betting odds.