'Welcome to Royal Ascot 2050' - how climate change is going to reshape racing
Bill Barber, specialist writer of the year, on an issue the sport can't ignore
It is the third day of Royal Ascot in 2050 and Ballydoyle trainer Joseph O'Brien has the favourite for the Gold Cup as he seeks to whittle away at his father Aidan's record number of victories in the race.
The Gold Cup is a lot different to Aidan's day, though. Back then it was run over two and a half miles; it has now been reduced to two miles, not because of lack of stamina in the breed but to reduce the dangers of heat stress.
It also now takes place in the evening, as does the entire meeting, to mitigate the effects of high temperatures, as much for the human participants as the equine ones. The royal procession precedes racing at 7pm, with floodlights enabling the action to continue after the sun has gone down.
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Published on 29 September 2021inFeatures
Last updated 10:08, 6 October 2021
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