SOUL OF SPORT: Frankie Dettori’s swansong at Royal Ascot showed why it’s an iconic event
SOUL OF SPORT: Khaadem’s 80-1 win and Frankie Dettori’s swansong at this year’s Royal Ascot showed why it is one of the most iconic events on the British sporting calendar… ANDY HOOPER captures the atmosphere and the drama captured in photos
- Every week on Monday, our Soul of Sport series takes readers behind the scenes at top sporting events
- Andy Hooper traveled to the iconic Ascot Racecourse on Saturday for the final day of this year’s Royal Ascot
- His photographs capture all facets of the day’s action and help to tell the untold stories of the historic event
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Welcome back to the soul of sport. For our latest installment of the series, ANDY HOOPER traveled to Ascot Racecourse on Saturday for the final day of Royal Ascot.
The historic five-day event – which grew out of the first-ever four-day race meeting ever held at the racecourse in 1768 – did not disappoint, as plenty of drama took place throughout the week.
Saturday saw another sensational spectacle as Khaadem, an 80-1 outsider, took a shock victory in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, while Ascot also this year bid farewell to the legendary Frankie Dettori ahead of his retirement at the end of the season season .
The excitement, fear and elation of the race was felt by thousands at the sold-out event, with many more watching from afar at what is undoubtedly one of the biggest events on the British sporting calendar.
On the last day of this year, our man captured all the build-up, atmosphere and drama – and he did it with a Nikon Z9 camera and 24-70mm, 70-200mm and 400mm lenses.
Thousands of race fans flocked to Royal Ascot last week for a pulsating five-day race at the iconic Berkshire venue
Excited gamblers cheered their horses from the raucous stands as they tried to win big money at the races
A long distance shot of the start of the Chesham Stakes with a picturesque view of central London deep in the horizon
Smartly and brightly dressed ladies pose for their photo at Ascot on arrival ahead of a fun filled day of entertainment
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arrive in the parade ring by carriage on Saturday following their victory earlier this week
Race goers arrive in style at what is Britain’s most valuable race meeting with millions of pounds in prize money up for grabs
Dettori – who retires from the sport at the end of the season – finished with a whopping 81 career wins at Royal Ascot
Two Royal Ascot Greencoats stand guard as thousands of race-goers gathered at the festival’s iconic venue last week
Bettors relax in the highly prestigious Royal Enclosure – where entry is strictly restricted – before the race gets underway
Desperate to avoid the scorching heat, race-goers did everything they could to avoid the sun while enjoying a drink on the track
A lady celebrates Khaadem’s 80-1 win in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – the most expensive winner in the race’s history
A bookmaker takes a break during the action-packed day with a significant number of gamblers trying their luck on horseback
A victorious and very lucky gambler collects his winnings from the bookies after having success on the last day of the event
The dress code for the event is strict and race-goers in the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures must abide by the rules
A gambler shows the tired inside of his top hat, a family heirloom – an item passed down from a deceased relative
A race-goer shows their love for Dettori by posing with a cardboard cut out of the Italian, who took a bow in style at Ascot
Smart attire is an important part of the occasion, with two race goers showing off their attire, including the addition of top hats