Probably the most famous programme of top-class horse racing in the world is the Royal Meeting held at Ascot in Berkshire, England, in mid-June each year. Racing at Ascot, then known as East Cote, commenced way back in 1711 after the then monarch, Queen Anne (whose reign lasted from 1702 to 1714) found the stretch of open heath not far from Windsor Castle to be eminently suitable for the sport.

Originally spread over four mid-week days, "Royal Ascot" was extended to 5 days in 2002 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of H.M. The Queen, and now ends on a Saturday. Racing commences with the 1-mile Queen Anne Stakes on the Tuesday and concludes with the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes, run over 2 miles, 5 furlongs and 159 yards, on Saturday.

Virtually every category of Thoroughbred is catered for, which ensures that the annual programme for all the best racehorses is carefully tailored by their connections to include an appearance at Royal Ascot.

This year's renewal got under way with arguably the best race of the whole meeting, or as one wag put it, "saving the best for first"! The Queen Anne Stakes (Gr.1) saw the reigning champion turf miler of the world, Goldikova (Anabaa-Born Gold), in action. This amazing French-trained mare possesses the twin attributes of a lightning turn of foot and phenomenal consistency – she has been successful on 9 of her last 11 appearances, all but one at Gr.1 level. Aiming to foil her and to place his stamp at the very top was the in-form Paco Boy. Trying not be left behind was the Irish challenger, Rip Van Winkle. As it turned out, Goldikova was at her imperious best and brought home the bacon by always holding the challenge of Paco Boy, who went under by a neck. Rip Van Winkle was sighted early on but his effort fizzled out.

Australian sprinters have done quite well at Royal Ascot in recent years, despite having to travel halfway around the world to display their talent. A pair of these lined up for the King's Stand Stakes (Gr.1) over 5 furlongs, with Nicconi (by Bianconi) starting as second favourite at 100/30. He acquitted himself honourably enough when fourth under Frankie Dettori, beaten about three lengths, but it was Equiano (Acclamation - Entente Cordiale), winner of this same race in 2008, who claimed the honours. Newsells Park Stud had recently acquired a half-share in the Barry Hills-trained entire, who started his career in Spain. Fancied Kingsgate Native finished sixth.

The third Gr.1 event on opening day was the St. James' Palace Stakes over a mile. Here the Richard Hannon-trained and Richard Hughes-ridden Canford Cliffs (Tagula-Mrs Marsh), who has always been highly rated by his experienced schooler, lived up to expectations and turned the tables on Makfi and Dick Turpin, who had beaten him in the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) in May. The last-named is a stablemate of the winner and must be wondering when his day in the sun will come. The American-trained challenger Noble's Promise, whose half-sister is in India, ran really well ending up just 3 lengths behind the winner.

Juddmonte Farms has been having a superb year in Europe under the able tutelage of Racing Manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, well-known to Indian breeders. This year's scalps include a pair of 1000 Guineas events for Special Duty and arguably the biggest prize of them all, the Epsom Derby, through Workforce.

The second day of Royal Ascot had only one Group 1 event, the Prince of Wales' Stakes over 10 furlongs. Juddmonte's British-trained challenger, from the barn of Henry Cecil, was Twice Over (Observatory-Double Crossed) already a Gr.1 winner, but the public choice was their French-trained Byword (Peintre Celebre-Binche), brought along patiently by maestro Andre Fabre. In a finish that would have delighted Prince Khalid Abdullah, owner of Juddmonte, Byword prevailed from the slightly unlucky Twice Over. Young Maxime Guyon steered his first Royal Ascot winner at his maiden appearance.

Today, the feature is the Ascot Gold Cup (Gr.1), over 2-1/2 miles. The last four years, Yeats has made this race his own – his trainer, Aidan O'Brien has Age Of Aquarius (Galileo-Clara Bow) to represent him on this occasion. Slightly better backed are Juddmonte's Manifest (Rainbow Quest-Modena, by Roberto) and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ask (Sadler's Wells-Request, by Rainbow Quest).