Berkhamsted businesses raise hundreds for charity while celebrating Royal Ascot at home

Two businesses in Berkhamsted teamed up last week to give their clients a 'Royal Ascot At Home' experience and raise hundreds for two local good causes.

Racing resumed in Britain on June 1, but racehorse owners have not been able to go, due to the current social distance protocols.

Simon Double, who runs Solario Racing, a racehorse syndication company, decided to do the next best thing – host a Royal Ascot from home and he organised two events with Melanie Langley, who runs Oliver Myles Events.

On the opening day of the meeting, Tuesday, June 16, and Ladies’ Day on Thursday, there were tipster competitions, interviews with a young up-and-coming jockey - Sophie Ralston - and a Best Hat competition, judged by award-winning Richmond-based milliner, Mary Spiteri, all made possible by Zoom.

As well as celebrating Frankie Dettori’s Gold Cup win on Stradivarius on Thursday, Solario Racing and Oliver Myles Events helped raise £300 for local homeless charity DENS and £180 for The Hospice Of St Francis.

Simon, who also runs the Berkhamsted Chamber of Commerce networking events, said: “Owners and local businesses really entered into the spirit of it.

"Most people dressed up and we even had a full top hat and tails!

"Young Sophie Ralston took time out from riding horses at Dean Ivory’s racing stables in Radlett, to do an interview and talk about Ascot and horses to follow for the season.”

Milliner, Mary Spiteri, who runs her Titfertats shop in Richmond, Surrey judged the Best Hat and awarded the bottle of champagne to Jane O’Gorman, a director at recruitment company, Ten2Two, in Berkhamsted.

Melanie Langley, whose events company, has been really hit by the pandemic said: “It was lovely to see people on Zoom all dressed up and drinking champagne at 10 in the morning!

"On the Thursday, we had a quiz too, so there was something for everyone and Simon managed to give our clients some winning tips too!”