Ex-Gunner Ray Parlour won the FA Cup four times with Arsenal, but says Royal Ascot’s history and excitement makes it one of his favourite sporting occasions
The FA Cup will always hold a special place in Ray Parlour’s heart.
Not only did he lift the famous trophy an incredible four times during his career with Arsenal, he also netted a spectacular goal in the 2002 final against Chelsea.
But the former Gunner star says that when it comes to his favourite sporting events, Royal Ascot is right up there with the showpiece finale of the English football season.
“Royal Ascot is a superb spectacle,” says Parlour. “The top hat and tails dress code looks great, and it’s a chance for most to get dressed up and enjoy a day at the races.
“The FA Cup Final is also a great one because of how big the competition is for English fans. For me, growing up, the FA Cup final was a special day in the house where we all watched it together on TV. To score in a final was incredible.
“And Wimbledon is a great event to go to, with fans from all over the world.
“But horse racing has been part of British culture for a very long time and Royal Ascot is an icon of national sport, with the quality of racing. It gets royal treatment as well, so it’s 100 per cent up there for sure as one of the year’s greatest events.
“As a footballer, I got more into horse racing as the lads were all keen on it. I have owned horses over the years and had a few named after me as well. It’s a great day out, and it’s great to be part of owning a horse, to go down to the training yard to see the horse, and then the race day is the pinnacle.”
This year’s event starts on Tuesday 17 June, with more than 300,000 visitors expected to attend the five-day festival at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.
In total, there will be 35 races taking place, with more than £10 million in prize money on offer. No race will be run for less than £110,000.
The two highest-earning races are the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with a huge prize pot of £1 million for each race.
Los Angeles is the favourite to cross the line first in the Prince of Wales Stakes, with NetBet offering odds of 17/5, followed by Economics at 21/5 and Map of Stars at 11/2.
In the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, Lazzat is the 7/2 frontrunner, Inisherin at 24/5 and Storm Boy at 6/1.
And the winner of this year’s Ascot Gold Cup will receive an eye-watering £650,000 prize.
Legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien will be looking to add to his record-breaking eight wins in the race this year, with his horse Illinois 7/5 favourite with NetBet to triumph ahead of Candelari at 7/2 and Trawlerman at 21/5.
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“I know Aidan O’Brien is the best flat trainer at the minute,” adds Parlour. “He has so many top horses in his stable who can win the sprints and longer distance races. So naturally he is one to follow.
“Looking at a jockey to follow, then it’s Ryan Moore. He is such a great jockey and proves time and time again, the quality he has in the saddle.
“From an English perspective, Charlie Appleby and John Gosden are trainers I like to follow at these meetings too.
“Sometimes you receive a tip and follow that one, or look at the in-form trainers and jockeys.
“For me, especially in the big races, I may just go with horse number 15, which was my number when I played.”
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