Ascot sets the stage for Europe's first live horse-racing broadcast on the internet on Saturday when the first three races on the card will be shown.
The Berkshire course's website, www.ascot.co.uk, which is operated by Britain's leading web site, sportinglife.com, has joined forces with the BBC which will also screen the races on BBC2, to set up this ground-breaking initiative.
It will give punters around the world their first opportunity to watch live European racing action and place bets from the comfort of their own home using just the click of a mouse.
It is accepted that even on the most powerful computers the quality will still currently be well below that on conventional television, but Saturday's trial is expected to 'push back the technological boundaries of internet broadcasting in this country'.
Douglas Erskine-Crum, Ascot's chief executive, commented: "The potential impact of the internet on our sport has been much discussed in recent months and Ascot is delighted to be leading the way thanks to this joint initiative with sportinglife.com and the BBC.
"Saturday's webcast could prove an important step for racing in this country as we start to embrace a new and exciting future for worldwide broadcasting and betting."
David Annat, sportinglife.com's managing director, said: "The internet is quickly becoming the favourite medium for punters hungry for the latest news, form and betting information. Now they needn't leave their computer screens as the live action comes direct to their home or office.
"Live horse racing action is a great leap forward for us and clear proof that sportinglife.com is furlongs ahead of the field."
