Royal Ascot is a highlight of the racing calendar and takes place this year from the 16th to 20th June. As well as being a race meeting, Royal Ascot is major social event attended by VIPs from across the world, including the Royal Family. The prize money this year for runners is in excess of £3m.

Royal Ascot is the week in which the entire equine society comes together to celebrate the most famous race meeting in the world. Taking place in early June, Royal Ascot has become one of the defining events of the British social calendar.

The race meet actually dates back as far as 1711, whereupon Queen Anne officially opened the course. The lucky few jockeys would race for the 'Majesty's Plate', for which there was a prize fund of a 100 guineas. Its affiliation with nobility has remained solid and it is perhaps most notorious for its strict dress code that it applies, especially inside the royal enclosure. Men must be dressed in full morning attire complete with top hat, whereas the women must also sport a head garment whilst not revealing any of their midriff or bare shoulders.

Royal Ascot currently offers 16 races over the long weekend, with trainers and owners from all over the country, flocking to the southeast in hope of grabbing some of the huge prizes on offer. However, this is not just a big weekend for the gentry and budding participants. The meet has become a date in the diary for anyone seeking a flutter over the four days, with Royal Ascot betting becoming one of the fundamental practices of the weekend.

Over £300 million is bet and is suspected to change hands during this years Ascot racing, making it one of the most lucrative events for bookmakers in the whole year. This has been further motivated by the introduction of free bet offers and specialised Ascot betting, to entice those reluctant to part with too much money. If you are looking to take advantage of that Royal Ascot free bet, then Ascot odds are available from any major online bookmaker as well as the racing post.