Royal Ascot provides free water but dress code unchanged on hottest day of year
A crowd of 65,718 baked in temperatures near 30C which led the UK Health Security Agency to raise the heat-health alert level to amber
Royal Ascot supplied punters with water but kept its dress code in force as the track sizzled on the hottest day of the year on Thursday.
A crowd of 65,718, a five percent rise on 2024, flocked to the royal racecourse for Gold Cup day, traditionally recognised as Ladies' Day. Ascot enforces its own strict dress standards for the occasion and requires gentlemen to wear morning dress comprising a tailcoat plus waistcoat, tie and top hat in the exclusive Royal Enclosure.
In 2022 on the fourth day of the fixture the dress code was relaxed when temperatures became too uncomfortable but they remained in place on Thursday with the heat approaching 30C.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office issued an amber heat-health alert (HHA) for all regions of England at 12 noon on Thursday, raising the level from yellow. An amber alert means that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: 'We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30°c in many areas.
'Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.'
Temperatures are forecast to remain high over the next two days of the royal meeting, reaching 28C at Ascot on Friday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, said: 'The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday, with low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England, and up to 34°C possible in eastern areas.
An Ascot spokesperson said: 'We had a crowd of 65,718 today. To help guests cope with the hot weather, we continue to provide free water at hydration stations across the site, and free bottled water is being handed out as people head home.
'Additional gazebos and parasols have also been installed to help provide more shade. We will continue to monitor the forecast ahead of the remaining two days.'
Though horses are able to race in very hot temperatures, water and ice is readily available for them to cool down after running with the track also installing a mobile bowser and misting fancies in the unsaddling area.
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