Royal Ascot / Irish Derby Double

We’ll meet in London before travelling together to Newmarket, the heart of English racing. After checking into the beautiful Bedford Lodge Hotel, there’ll be time to freshen up before we gather for welcome drinks and dinner to get to know each other.

After an early breakfast, we head out to explore Newmarket — the home of English racing. We’ll watch horses working on the famous Warren Hill gallops, visit a local training stable to see how things are done in the UK, and enjoy a guided tour of the English National Stud.

The afternoon is yours to relax at one of the many Newmarket pubs and tune into the afternoons racing, with Group 1 racing from France.

After a relaxed morning, we’ll visit another leading local training stable to tour the impressive facilities and gain further insight into the week’s racing ahead. We’ll then sit down to enjoy a classic Sunday carvery roast lunch, before the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Take the opportunity to further explore Newmarket, visit the National Horseracing Museum, or simply unwind at one of the town’s traditional pubs soaking up the unique atmosphere of the world’s home of racing.

Before breakfast, we’ll stroll down to Warren Hill to watch over 1,000 horses working — truly a sight to behold.

Afterwards, we’ll visit the historic Tattersalls sales complex, where countless champions have been sold, before heading to Godolphin’s renowned Dalham Stud to see some exceptional stallions, including Too Darn Hot and Dubawi.

We’ll then make our way to the newly renovated Crowne Plaza in the picturesque riverside town of Marlow, our base for the remainder of the week.

After check-in, we’ll head to Windsor Racecourse for a twilight meeting on the famous figure-eight circuit — a relaxed evening (fingers crossed for sunshine) as we officially kick off the racing week.

A fantastic way to kick off the week with the 1600m Queen Anne Stakes, and we have a prime spot to watch all the action unfold. We’ll be enjoying the day from The Lawn Club hospitality suite, with a delicious lunch and drinks served throughout the afternoon.

As it’s our first day, we’ll soak up the atmosphere and stay on after the final race to join in a few traditional English songs with fellow racegoers.

LAWN CLUB – Nestled at the heart of the trackside excitement, the Lawn Club sits just meters from the action in a private section of the Queen Anne Enclosure. It’s the perfect way to start the week in an intimate setting, complete with a four-course cold buffet and premium beverages.

After a busy few days, today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You might take a trip to Windsor to explore the iconic Windsor Castle, catch a train into London for some shopping, or simply relax and wander through the charming streets of Marlow.

We’re back at Royal Ascot today for Ladies’ Day, with the highlight being the Group 1 Gold Cup. You’ll have general admission tickets to the Queen Anne Enclosure, giving you the freedom to explore the track, visit the mounting yard, browse the gift shop, and even catch a glimpse of the King. Please note, food and drinks are not included.

If you would like to upgrade to hospitality for the day, you can do that directly with Ascot Racecourse, packages start from £780 – https://www.ascot.com/hospitality/fine-dining-hospitality-royal-ascot

Today is a day at leisure, starting with a relaxing cruise along the Thames. Sit back and take in the charming English countryside while enjoying a few drinks and a classic pub lunch.

The afternoon and evening are then yours to explore and soak up the beauty of Windsor at your own pace.

After breakfast, we return to Royal Ascot for the final day of the carnival, highlighted by the thrilling Golden Jubilee Sprint. We’ll enjoy the week’s finale from the best spot in the course — a Private Box overlooking the entire track, complete with premium hospitality including lunch, afternoon tea, and drinks throughout the afternoon. We may even have a few special guests drop by to share a glass of champagne and watch a race with us. It’s a day to remember.

Private Box – A Private Box offers the ultimate in privacy, exclusivity, and service at the heart of the action. Each box features a private bar and dining area, a large flat-screen TV, and a balcony ensuring you won’t miss a second of the racing. Betting facilities are conveniently located nearby, and every box is catered to the very highest standards.

We’ll wrap up the English leg of our tour with a leisurely recovery lunch at a charming English country pub, where we can celebrate our wins and share a few laughs over near misses. Afterwards, it’s time to start packing and prepare for our journey to Ireland.

After breakfast we are on the bus to via Heathrow Airport for our flight to Ireland.

On arriving in Dublin, we will head to The Davenport Hotel, our centrally located four-star hotel, where we will be staying for the next two nights.

In the late afternoon, we’ll gather for a drink before heading out for dinner and drinks, giving everyone a chance to enjoy a taste of genuine Irish hospitality.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of both ancient and modern Dublin, discovering the rich history of Ireland’s capital. We’ll drive through the city streets to see iconic landmarks such as Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells, explore Ireland’s fascinating and sometimes troubled past, and stop at Teeling Distillery for a tasting. Lunch and a pint of Guinness at a traditional pub are also included.

The late afternoon and evening are free for you to further explore Dublin at your own pace.

After checking out of our Dublin hotel, we’ll head into the countryside to the heart of Irish racing: The Curragh. Few sights capture the spirit of County Kildare better than the sight of horses galloping across the springy open plains, their breath visible in the crisp morning air. The horse—or capall in Irish—has been an integral part of life here for thousands of years, and today these lush green pastures form the centre of Ireland’s world-renowned bloodstock and racing industries.

Next, we’ll continue to the town of Naas, our base for the next five nights. After checking in to Lawlor’s of Naas, we’ll visit Kildangan Stud (Godolphin), Sheikh Mohammed’s Irish thoroughbred racehorse farm, before enjoying lunch on the estate.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a relaxed buffet dinner as a group at Lawlor’s Hotel to round out the day.

Note: Twilight casual racing at Naas racecourse for those interested in the evening.

Today is a special day as we visit the world-famous Coolmore Stud, where we’ll see their magnificent stallions and explore the new museum.

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a two-course lunch at Saddlers Restaurant, owned by Coolmore, where guests can savour the flavours of Tipperary. The menu, created by Stephen Hayes, Director of Culinary at Cashel Palace Hotel, highlights locally sourced ingredients and celebrates the region’s rich agricultural heritage. Guests can enjoy a variety of dishes, from classic Irish favourites to innovative creations, all crafted with freshness and authenticity in mind.

The evening is free for you to relax or further explore Naas at your leisure.

We’ll start the day at the iconic Curragh Racecourse, where we’ll watch horses working on the gallops and meet an Irish racing legend. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a Q&A session and gain insight into how top trainers buy, sell, and prepare racehorses on the hallowed Curragh plains.

Next, we’ll visit the Irish National Stud for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. Discover the rich history and breeding traditions of this renowned stud, and meet some of Ireland’s most celebrated champions, including Beef or Salmon, Hurricane Fly, Faugheen, Rite of Passage, and more. Guests will also experience the popular virtual reality attraction, where you can own, train, and ride your own racehorse—a firm favourite with visitors!

After a short break back at the hotel, we’ll depart around 3:15 pm for the opening evening of the Irish Derby Festival at The Curragh. Enjoy a thrilling night of top-class racing from the comfort of hospitality, complete with dinner, drinks, and stunning trackside views.

We return to The Curragh for a superb day of racing and hospitality, situated on the top level of the racecourse with exceptional views. Today’s card features an exciting lineup of valuable Group and Listed races, setting the stage for Derby Day. It’s also Ladies’ Day, where racegoers step out in style, with fashion taking centre stage and fantastic prizes on offer.

The evening is free to relax, unwind, and prepare for the highlight of the weekend—Derby Day!

It’s Derby Day, and we head back to The Curragh for the pinnacle of the festival—the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, accompanied by a stellar supporting card of Group and Listed races.

We’ll experience the day from the comfort of the prestigious Galileo Suite, enjoying spectacular views along with lunch and drinks included.

We’ll return to Lawlor’s Hotel around 7:15 pm, giving you time to freshen up before the weekend’s grand finale—the Irish Derby Hooley in the hotel’s lavish ballroom.

After breakfast, our 18 days together concludes with airport transfers as we all head our separate ways, heading home or onto our next adventure.