Qipco Guineas Festival: Special royal celebrations for Coronation weekend

Newmarket Racecourse has announced plans for a one-off spectacular celebration on the first weekend in May, when the three-day QIPCO Guineas Festival will coincide with the Coronation of King Charles III.

The celebrations are focused on being affordable in a year when many families’ finances are under pressure, and will include initiatives relating to the environment as well as for the local community.

A garden party-themed picnic enclosure will be created trackside for Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May, where a family of four can attend for just £32 and bring their own food and drink. Ticket prices across the QIPCO Guineas Festival and Newmarket’s 2023 season more widely have also been reduced year-on-year.

The racecourse will be themed to reflect the national celebration and will open its gates early on the Saturday to show the Coronation, with dedicated screens around the course and racing beginning slightly later in the afternoon.

Soprano Laura Wright will sing the national anthem and there will be traditional music from the Haverhill Silver Band as well as union jacks for racegoers and a free permanent memento for attendees.

Two-Michelin starred Chef Michel Roux will cook a coronation-inspired menu in the Champions Gallery restaurant and there will be a wealth of free family entertainment including themed puppet shows, face painting, a bouncy castle and helter skelter.

There will even be an opportunity to receive a masterclass from jockeys who have ridden in the royal colours in the QIPCO British Champions Series Fanzone, as well as a retired royal racehorse and a coronation-themed photo theatre set.

The QIPCO Guineas Festival gets under way on Friday 5 May with every race live on Racing TV. Tap here to find out more about ticketing information.