WHAT’S NEW AT ROYAL ASCOT 2023

This year’s Royal Ascot heralds a new era for the most revered of race meetings, following the spectacular coronation of King Charles III earlier this month. As the event’s Official Private Aviation Supplier, Flexjet is delighted to be playing our part, by hosting the official event heliport adjacent to the racecourse and providing Red Label-style hospitality for our Owners and guests in the Royal Enclosure.

Of course, history and tradition will continue to be at the centre of the Royal Ascot experience, but as we countdown to the start of the 2023 edition on 20th June, we’ve highlighted four new additions to look out for this year, alongside the first appearance of the King.

1. A new race – The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Queen Elizabeth II was famously a lifelong devotee of horseracing and a highly successful breeder and owner, with 24 winning horses at Royal Ascot across six decades. Royal Ascot became synonymous with Her late Majesty, who delighted the crowds with her unswerving commitment to the event, attending every year of her reign until her health prevented it.

Now, in honour of her considerable legacy, Royal Ascot has announced that a prestigious £1 million race on the last day, previously known as The Platinum Jubilee Stakes, will now be known as The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – the first time a race at the Royal Meeting has carried her name.

2. The first Royal Ascot Lookbook

With Royal Ascot one of the most celebrated fashion moments of the British summer season, this year the racecourse has unveiled The Royal Ascot Lookbook – a new look and feel for its annual style guide.

It features six inspirational fashion edits to guide racegoers through what to wear this year: Luxe, Tailoring, Pre-Loved & Rental, Vintage, High Street and Emerging Designer. Focusing on a deeply original sense of personal style inspired by fashion magazine editorial, racegoers are invited to get lost in the magical world of occasionwear, from retro-inspired vintage looks evocative of the 1970s to exquisite tailoring and avant-garde millinery.

3. Side Glance becomes the first Royal Ascot Equine Ambassador

Horses are, of course, the real stars of Royal Ascot but usually only on the track and parade ground. This year, one is playing a bigger role as the racecourse’s first ever Equine Ambassador. 16-year-old Side Glance will form a central part of the Ascot Racecourse Supports programme to engage people in the sport of horse racing and showcase how racehorses live once they finish racing.

Formerly a top-level winning racehorse owned by Sheikh Fahad and trained by Andrew Balding, Side Glance raced around the world 40 times between 2009 and 2015, including ten appearances and two wins at Ascot.

In recent years has been learning dressage while owner Leanne White also uses him regularly as part of her work as an Instructor for the National Horseracing College. He will appear at Royal Ascot and Ascot events throughout the year and plays a central role in the Royal Ascot 2023 marketing campaign.

4. The new Flexjet Sikorsky S-76

For the first time this year, Flexjet will be showcasing our new Sikorsky S-76 helicopter at Royal Ascot, where we will once again be hosting the official event heliport adjacent to the racecourse.

As the flagship of the Flexjet helicopter fleet, the super-midsize Sikorsky S-76 has a well-earned 40-year reputation for reliability and performance. It showcases a powerful twin-engine drive and a sleek, upright body design that promotes ideal craft balance – allowing for the smoothest, calmest ride possible. As with all our aircraft, the spacious 8-seat helicopter features lavishly appointed LXi Cabin Collection interiors that exude polished sophistication, complemented by breathtaking panoramic views.

At the heliport the Flexjet team will be offering Red Label style hospitality to all guests arriving at Royal Ascot by helicopter. Complimentary champagne and canapés will be available in the stylish lounge with luxury chauffeurs ready to make the short drive to the racecourse itself, when the action on the track beckons.

For further information about Flexjet’s European fleet and programmes, please contact our team using the form below or call us on +44 (0) 203 856 8151.