As the 2020 Royal Ascot meeting will take place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus from June 16-20, the plan for the Royal Ascot at Home initiative was revealed by Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday. All 36 races will be able to be viewed on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing by racing fans, with competitions and Royal Ascot-themed challenges occurring throughout the week. In addition to the many competitions, celebrity chefs will share recipes and jockey workouts will also be posted. Sing-along celebrations will also still continue alongside the #StyledWithThanks fundraising campaign in aid of those affected by COVID-19. Fans will also be able to nominate friends and family on the Ascot website to receive a phone call from a racing legend or personality at some point during the week, including Frankie Dettori, Ed Chamberlin and Hollie Doyle, bringing a taste of the Royal Meeting directly to those who may be isolating alone or would benefit from a friendly call from a familiar racing face. All money raised will be donated to The NationalEmergencies Trust Relief Fund, NHS Charities Together, The Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation.
Some Royal Ascot commemorative items available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going toward the fundraising efforts include Ascot jockey teddy bears, a 'Royal Ascot at Home Afternoon Tea', and the Ascot Wine Club in partnership with Official Wine Supplier, Hallgarten & Novum Wines and Official Champagne, Moet & Chandon. For a schedule of activities, as well as items for purchase, go to www.ascot.co.uk/royal-ascot-at-home, with other activities will remain a surprise until the week itself.
“We're excited to launch 'Royal Ascot At Home' for 2020,” said Ascot Racecourse Chief Commercial Officer Juliet Slot. “During these unprecedented times when we aren't able to welcome our usual 300,000 guests to the Royal Meeting, we want as many people as possible to enjoy the magic of the Royal Meeting from home. It will be a unique experience, like no other, for us all.
“We hope everyone will embrace the many wonderful activities and interactive challenges we have lined up on the Ascot website, in the lead up to and during the event, as well as tuning into all the live racing action on television.
“With what has been happening in recent months, we wanted fundraising and frontline support to be at the heart of 'Royal Ascot At Home'. Alongside the fantastic racing and entertainment in store, we're also encouraging people to dress up at home and celebrate with us while raising money for our chosen charities and saying 'thank you' to the NHS and frontline workers who are playing such an important role. Our #StyledWithThanks campaign has already launched and we have had a fantastic response.”
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