Royal Ascot racegoers forced to make unusual purchase after breaking dress code

Royal Ascot maintained its strict dress code, enforcing lesser-known rules such as the requirement for racegoers to wear socks. Many were caught off guard by this stipulation, unaware that socks were a mandatory part of the attire.

In the Royal Enclosure, men are required to don a jacket, collared shirt, tie and socks. According to Royal Ascot's guidelines, 'socks must be worn at all times' and they should be 'covering the ankle'.

Women, on the other hand, are obliged to wear a hat or headpiece with a base of at least four inches.

The dress code is somewhat more relaxed in the other two enclosures, but these rules are still strictly enforced. Social media was abuzz with images of men purchasing socks for £5 in changing rooms after falling foul of the dress code.

The summer event, a standout in the racing calendar, has adhered rigidly to its traditional dress code for years. Despite the mercury soaring this week, resulting in 30-degree days, there were no alterations to the rules.

This week has been officially declared the hottest of the year, and while Ascot provided water for attendees, the uncompromising dress code remained unchanged. In 2022, the outfit rules were slightly relaxed due to high temperatures, but this year, free water was provided at hydration stations and bottled water was distributed as people exited the venue.

Saturday's attendees witnessed the finale of five days of top-tier racing in Berkshire, with the event consistently drawing some of the finest horses from around the globe. Jockey James Doyle celebrated a win in the week's second Group 1 sprint, though he experienced an unusual delay in the winner's enclosure awaiting his mount.

In a thrilling international showdown, France triumphed over Japan as Lazzat led from the front to fend off Satono Reve's last-ditch effort in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. However, post-victory, Doyle was unseated as the triumphant horse took itself for an impromptu gallop around the Ascot racecourse.

This resulted in an extraordinary delay for the winning horse, jockey, and trainer Jerome Reynier, with royalty present to hand out the honours. Doyle humorously accepted blame for the hold-up.

"I did apologise to the King and Queen when I went to collect my prize," he remarked. "I told them I should have stayed in Pony Club longer than I did, so we had a good laugh about it! I have to say that's a first for me. It's a shame because it would have been nice to come back with the horse in tow."

The Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes was snatched up by the favoured Rebel's Romance, adding to Charlie Appleby's string of victories. Meanwhile, one of the day's most unexpected wins occurred in the Jersey Stakes, where Noble Champion defied odds to triumph at 25/1.