Royal Ascot is the crown jewel in the British racing crown, with five days of fabulous racing set against the type of glitz, glamour and royal patronage that other meetings can only dream of.
Deciding the winner’s next move comes with risk – race in the Travers Stakes and Breeders’ Cup, or take the traditional route?
Two-year-old racing in Germany faces an existential threat which could have implications across Europe. If it proves to be the thin end of the wedge, there would be a knock-on effect for the key three-year-old races, including the biggest one of all: Saturday’s Betfred Derby at Epsom.
Cheltenham and Aintree will be among the courses replacing their birch hurdles in time for the start of the jumps season in October with a padded foam alternative which is estimated to be 11 per cent safer.