The 12 stars of christmas

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 Brit has two in the Derby trial top three, and two brothers go head-to-head in one of the week’s contests

A rider lands a second Royal Highland grand prix nine years since his first and a superstar is back from injury

A small animal vet storms to a first win with her £700 purchase, while a former Badminton grassroots winner triumphs with new jockey

A pathfinding round results in a “surprise win”, a rider bounces back to form post-injury and a formidable combination brings home a brace of tickets