Royal Ascot has spoken out after animal rights' protests caused chaos at the Grand National. 

Protesting group Animal Rising this week warned Ascot could be next as they vowed to 'unleash chaos' this summer.

Ascot is one of the biggest festivals in the racing calendar and a spokesman has now issued a statement saying they welcome peaceful protesters. 

Ascot racecourse said: “The safety and welfare of horses and jockeys is a paramount at Royal Ascot. In recent years several major changes have been made to the racecourse to improve welfare standards

“During the redevelopment between 2004 – 2006, a safer racetrack was created by cambering the home and old paddock bends and removing the road crossing over the track replacing them with underpasses.

“Five specifically qualified equine vets are on duty every day at Royal Ascot, dedicated to the welfare of all the horses. During each race vets follow the runners by car and can respond to and attend an incident generally within a minute – as fast as the paramedic team responsible for the jockeys.”

Hundreds of thousands of racegoers descend on the venue every year, with some people travelling thousands of miles to attend.

Following previous protestors in 2021 which threatened to disrupt the racing, officials have said that their work alongside Thames Valley Police and other officials will ensure the smooth running of the event.

A spokesman from Ascot Racecourse said: “We work extremely closely with the police and other local authorities in the run up to Royal Ascot.

“Everyone has a right to protest and if the police do not think they are causing a disturbance, especially off site, we will not intervene.

“Anything that impacts the operation on site will be dealt with appropriately, as was the case in 2021 when the Extinction Rebellion protestors were quickly apprehended without any impact on racing.”