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Gold Cup (\u00a3700,000) \u2013 Thursday, June 18, 16:30 (BST)<\/strong><\/p>\n Like the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, the Ascot Gold Cup acts as the showpiece event of Royal Ascot.<\/p>\n Even though it doesn\u2019t quite carry the same prize purse, it\u2019s still the most prestigious.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because of its rich history and the gruelling two miles, three furlongs and 210 yards race.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a true test of Flat-racing stayers, and the stamina battle means it\u2019s often best to look for each-way selections to hedge your risk.<\/p>\n The Gold Cup is also open to horses aged four and above.<\/p>\n 3lb-weight allowances are reserved for mares and fillies, while 7lb weight allowances are offered for those venturing from the Southern Hemisphere.<\/p>\n The most iconic Ascot Gold Cup horse is Yeats, who won this race four years in succession between 2006 and 2009.<\/p>\n The John Magnier\u2013owned superstar was trained by Aidan O\u2019Brien, who holds the record for the most Ascot Gold Cup wins with nine.<\/p>\n Stradivarius and Sagaro also etched their names into the Royal Ascot record books by winning the Gold Cup three years in a row.<\/p>\n The Ascot Gold Cup is the first leg of the Stayers\u2019 Triple Crown, which also includes the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup.<\/p>\n The eyes of British horse racing will be transfixed on the Royal Ascot to see if the next Yeats or Stradivarius is born at the 2026 festival.<\/p>\n