PICNICS in the car park after racing proved to be the highlight of the week for some people at Royal Ascot with generous hosts supplying an array of champagne, wines, beers and delicious food as good as some of the top 5-star hotels in central London.

Ed Prosser, from Keeneland Sales, hosted a pre-racing party for the first time and well-known agent James Keogh flew in from Kentucky for the first time in a number of years. The Cantillion family were out in force this week and it was good to see Tony Smurfit and his lovely wife Sharon at the races. Smurfit has a number of horses in partnership with his father, Dr Michael, and they have had success so far this season ; could there be another Melbourne Cup winner in among them?

The Royal Enclosure is where to be seen while racing, but the weather left the going there like something you might see at the Ploughing Match. An impressive choice of places to eat and drink were well situated. However, afternoon tea in one venue was £30 per person! Service was good but the sandwiches were stale and boring. Nothing doing but to make up for it with more champagne.

The new chief at the Curragh, Derek McGrath, was spotted checking out the Ascot facilities. How about a similar dress code for future Irish Derbys?

It was great to see Fearghal Hogan over for Ascot. He is working in Ashford Stud in Kentucky and, for a few days holidays, he reunited with his old colleague Andrew Nolan from Goffs to help out with a bit of bid spotting.

He then travelled to Bolesworth Castle last night to assist with the elite sport horse auction. A young man going places.

Irish show jumper Daragh Kenny was also racing, as were Sonny Carey from the Willie Mullins yard and his girlfriend Mary Kilduff, former chair of the YITBA.