No top hats or tails: dress code relaxed as Royal Ascot embraces the new normal

It will be Royal Ascot but not as we know it. For the first time in its history the meeting will take place without crowds – or top hats and tails.

The famous fixture, which begins on Tuesday, is synonymous with the finest formal attire. But this year it can remain in the wardrobe as the track has relaxed its dress code for the few allowed into the behind-closed-doors meeting, where there will be no royal presence.

Participants on site, including trainers and a small team to cover the action for ITV Racing, will simply be asked to dress appropriately.

"We're asking people to dress smartly and respect the occasion," said Nick Smith, Ascot's director of racing. "However, all of the enclosures are closed so there's definitely no need for morning dress.

"It's nobody's fault that people aren't able to attend and it would look strange to have morning dress on site out of the context of the usual pomp and ceremony of the event, but it's still Royal Ascot and you would not expect people to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt."

Royal Ascot: will be run without racegoers for the first time in its historyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Owners are not permitted to attend racecourses under the BHA's strict behind-closed-doors protocols but the regulator has stated that efforts to allow them on site to watch their runners are under way.

"We've been back racing for a week and it's been a good start," said Smith. "However, it's probably not the time to think about radical changes. We need to run Royal Ascot and the Derby without any complications. They are key to getting the Pattern back on track.

"The task for the resumption of racing group is to work out a return date for owners, who are the priority over any other party to come back. We all hope that can happen as soon as possible.

"We did a site walk of the parade ring last week and, when you mark down 24 horses in two lines with trainers and jockeys socially distancing, you've already filled the vast majority of it.

"So when owners do come back, it will be a case of working out the ownership experience. We're working on a number of initiatives to reach out to them at home such as distributing racecards."

The Queen and Prince Philip will not attend the behind-closed-doors meetingCredit: Chris Jackson (Getty Images)

There will be no royal presence at the meeting but Smith added: "I'm sure the action will be watched with interest at Windsor Castle."

The Queen will not be the only one following the action closely on TV. Smith believes racing has an opportunity to reach a new audience and he was heartened by the viewing figures for the 2,000 Guineas.

ITV Racing's viewing figures for the Classic almost doubled from last year, with nearly one and a half million people tuning in to see Kameko's success under champion jockey Oisin Murphy.

The broadcaster plans to send a small presenting team to Royal Ascot, having had one reporter at Newmarket last weekend, but a number of people will continue to contribute via Zoom.

Smith said: "Royal Ascot is one of the highest-profile sporting events to go ahead behind closed doors but we'll be joined very quickly by football, which is scheduled to resume on Wednesday evening.

"It's a big opportunity and there was a huge peak audience for the 2,000 Guineas. If there are any positives to come out of this bleak period it's the fact there's an appetite for racing. Hopefully that will roll on to next week and we can get good viewing figures too."

The track has launched a Royal Ascot At Home campaign that will have a fundraising element to raise donations for four charities: the National Emergencies Trust Relief Fund, NHS Charities Together, The Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation.

On Monday, Ascot made a £100,000 donation. It has also invited people to share photos of them dressing up for the royal meeting at home and to make a £5 donation to its fundraising page. These images will be turned into a giant rainbow mosaic at the track.

"We feel we have a responsibility to lead the charge and make a significant contribution towards the emergency services and charities that have worked so hard over the last few months," added Smith.

Read more:

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Dream come true for champion Murphy as Kameko lands the ghost town Guineas

The Assessor: no question Kameko has strong Derby credentials after striking success

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