One for the record books

This year’s Royal Ascot delivered on every level with extraordinary equines, blazing sunshine and buoyant crowds. This is what the sport is all about

From topless staddle stones outperforming complete ones to two versions of the same desk selling on the same day 212 miles apart, bizarre occurrences are par for the course at contents sales

Armigers from the Tudor and Stuart era had their moment last month, with a seal ring linked to Royal Exchange founder Sir Thomas Gresham and a ruffler once owned by philanthropist Sir Edwin Rich causing a stir at auction

The forthcoming Treasure House Fair lives up to its name, with pieces on offer including a flag flown by HMS Royal Sovereign at Trafalgar, a games compendium box made for Edward VII and a fairground carousel pig

One of the week’s big winners reaps an extra-special reward, another’s faith in their mount pays dividends, and a family’s breeding programme comes to the fore

At Tattersalls’ Craven Breeze-Up Sale, raw talent meets million-guinea bids in “proper high-end poker”. Martha Terry uncovers racing’s elite marketplace