Remember that scene in My Fair Lady where all those fancy ladies and gents with their suits and parasols are dancing and singing alongside the track? I don't either; I've never seen the film. But I've been told that this is the quintessential Royal Ascot moment. To be honest, I expected my experience to be more along the lines of the scene where Eliza Doolittle comes in all glamorous in her fancy dress and then ruins the illusion with her Cockney accent. Okay, so I lied, I watched the Ascot scenes of the movie.
For my birthday this past June we went to the Royal Ascot. How lucky was I that they fell on the same day? I missed going last year, and it seemed like serendipity to go this year. All my friends were equally excited about a day at the races, so we donned our dresses and fascinators, our Cambridge ties and suits, our wedges and umbrellas. We grabbed bottles of champagne, boxes of macaroons, and a few picnic blankets. And we went to the Ascot.
We spent the train rides over looking at the different races and picking our horses/jockeys. The first exciting event after we arrived was the appearance of the Queen. The Queen! I finally got to see her. She drove by in a horse-drawn carriage wearing an adorable pale blue outfit with a matching umbrella. How chic!
The races were so much more exciting than I thought they'd be. Once we placed bets, it got super competitive as we screamed and shouted for our chosen steed. I had terrible luck, despite reading up on the horses and carefully considering the critiques and statistics in the guide. I should have followed my friend, Nat's, plan of just picking names she liked right at the last minute.
We stayed through the second last race. My friend, Kenzie, asked me who I would choose to win for this race if I was betting. I picked a horse for her. Then she came back from the betting stands with a ticket for me with my chosen horse: Opinion.
He took FIRST PLACE! and I ended up winning £22! Not too shabby of a birthday gift! But it wasn't the money; it was the thrill of winning. Thanks, Kenzie and Opinion!
The day was just way too fun. Despite the rain, we had such a blast watching the races, snacking, and sipping drinks. I highly recommend the Ascot to anyone in England. You don't even have to be in the fancy-pants seats to have a good time!
PS: Some photos were stolen from John and Kenzie. Thanks guys!
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