BBC secures Royal Ascot internet deal

Mick Kinane and Kayf Tara win last year's Gold Cup

BBC Sport Online is to provide live webcasts of June's Royal Ascot meeting for the first time.

Under a new deal, which was unveiled on Thursday, internet users will be able to follow all the action from the four-day meeting.

As well as boasting high-quality cards with some of Europe's top horses, the event is synonymous with great fashion and the Royal parades.

The meeting, from 19-22 June, will be covered by BBC TV, Five Live and Sport Online.

Attracted thousands

Among the racing highlights are the St James Palace Stakes, the Prince of Wales Stakes, the Ascot Gold Cup and the Coronation Stakes.

BBC Sport Online will have live webcasts of every race shown on BBC TV.

This follows on from the success of Sport Online's coverage of the Grand National meeting, which attracted thousands of users over three days.

Sport Online will also stream all the major action from Epsom on 8 and 9 June, including the Oaks and the Derby.

The Vodafone Derby is being broadcast live on BBC TV for the first time in 22 years.