ASCOT RACECOURSE MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ascot Racecourse prepares for its
Racing to Zero Summer Mile Weekend
and launches new equine-themed children’s storybook
The highly anticipated Racing to Zero Summer Mile Weekend will be returning to Ascot Racecourse from Friday 10th to Saturday 11th July. One of the highlights of Ascot’s summer calendar, the two-day fixture combines Flat racing with family entertainment, inviting racegoers to enjoy picnics on the racecourse lawns while watching an afternoon of competitive racing. On Saturday, Ascot will also launch its first illustrated, equine-themed children’s storybook in collaboration with celebrated author Laura Henry-Allain MBE.
A dedicated family area will ensure there is plenty to keep younger racegoers entertained throughout the day, with complimentary activities and roaming performers providing a fun-filled experience for children of all ages. On the track, Saturday’s feature contest is the Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes, a key fixture in the British Flat racing calendar. The race regularly attracts high-quality equine competitors, including horses that have competed at Royal Ascot and those targeting top-level contests later in the season.
Ascot Racecourse will also launch a new children’s storybook on Saturday 11th July as part of the Summer Mile Weekend, titled Side Glance: Life after the Finish Line – An Ascot Story. The book has been produced in collaboration with celebrated children’s author and creator of the beloved CBeebies characters JoJo and Gran Gran, Laura Henry-Allain MBE, alongside renowned editor Jane Riordan and illustrator Lou Baker Smith.
Aimed at children aged 5–8, the storybook follows Ascot’s official equine ambassador, Side Glance, teaching young readers about sustainability, horse welfare and the second careers of racehorses, while gently exploring relatable themes such as childhood anxiety. Made possible through funding awarded to Ascot Racecourse as part of the Betting and Gaming Council’s Britannia Stakes initiative, the project will also give back, with £1 from every copy sold donated to the Ascot Racecourse Supports Fund to support local and equine charities. Side Glance and his owner, Leanne White, will be available on the day at his temporary stable near the Ascot Shop.
The Racing to Zero Summer Mile Weekend will also showcase Ascot’s ongoing sustainability strategy through a range of environmental initiatives across the racecourse. These include refillable water bottle stations, a fully electric community shuttle bus and educational stands displaying information on the Grandstand solar panels (one of the UK sport’s largest solar installations), as well as the work of Busy Buttons CORE Charity. Visitors are invited to make their commitment at the Sustainability Hub and receive a complimentary Ascot water bottle. The Sustainability Showcase will be located by the West Turnstiles.
Andrew Balding, former trainer of Side Glance says:
“Side Glance gave us some fantastic days during his racing career and was a wonderful horse to train, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see him continuing to make such a positive impact long after he retired. This book is a brilliant way of introducing young people to the story of a racehorse beyond racing, highlighting the care, dedication and opportunities that exist for horses in their second careers. It’s especially fitting that Side Glance’s story is being launched at Summer Mile Raceday, where he enjoyed one of the standout victories of his career, and I hope it inspires plenty of children to discover more about these remarkable animals.”
Laura Henry-Allain MBE, author of the storybook says:
“As an Ambassador for the National Year of the Reading, stories have a wonderful way of helping children make sense of the world around them, and Side Glance’s journey is one that celebrates kindness, courage and new beginnings. I hope young readers will enjoy seeing the world through his eyes while discovering how horses can have happy, fulfilling lives beyond the racetrack. Working with Ascot Racecourse on this story has been a wonderful opportunity to weave together themes of friendship, wellbeing, sustainability and care for animals into an adventure that families can enjoy together. I’m thrilled to be launching the book at Summer Mile Raceday and look forward to sharing Side Glance’s story with young readers and their families as part of this special celebration of racing, learning and sustainability.”
For further information and to purchase the book: Side Glance – Life After the Finish Line – Ascot Shop
For further information, interview requests and high-res images please contact:
Hunt Communications: ascot@hunt-communications.com, Tel: 07436 144573
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The annual Summer Mile Weekend will be taking place from Friday 10th to Saturday 11th July.
About Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne. The first four day June meeting at Ascot took place in 1768, which became known sometime after as Royal Ascot.
Ascot stages both Flat and Jumps races and has 26 race days, including Royal Ascot which is Europe’s premier Flat meeting.
Eight Group One races (globally benchmarked championship level events) are staged at Royal Ascot. In total, 13 Group One Flat races are staged at the track, with three Grade Ones (the Jumps equivalents) in the winter months.
Typically, 600,000 racegoers attend Ascot over the year with half of those coming in June to the Royal Meeting, which is broadcast in more than 200 territories.
Ascot is also used as a venue for conferences, weddings, banquets, exhibitions, product launches and as a film set, with some 300 non-racing events staged annually.
The land on which Ascot Racecourse sits is adjacent to Windsor Great Park, covering 179 acres.