If at first you don’t succeed…

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

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

A long-striding gelding nets a first grand prix win and a rider stages a winning comeback

A Fell remains on form to land a cash prize, a lead-rein competitor lands a pleasant surprise for her anxious parents and a young rider reaps reward for dedication

A Glamourdale son makes an eye-catching first performance as his sire stars abroad, while one rider’s efforts reap rich rewards

Four of the greatest riders of all time pinpoint the one horse that changed their lives – and the course of sporting history – forever, writes Kate Johnson