Royal Ascot behind the scenes: Getting ready for the races

Royal Ascot is Britain’s most popular race meeting, and an undisputed national institution.

It has been attracting royalty and revellers for more than 300 years, and now welcomes around 300,000 visitors across five days each year.

What goes on behind the scenes is almost as impressive as the spectacle on the frontline. Running the event requires 2,400 cleaners, 16,700 items of temporary furniture, 300 mobile toilet facilities, 400 helicopters and 1,000 limos — not forgetting 51,000 bottles of Champagne, 10,000 steaks and 160,000 glasses of Pimms.

The Evening Standard went behind the scenes for an exclusive look at what it takes to put on the event, and a showaround by the Clerk of the Course.