Ladies Day At "The Queen's Favourite Racing Event" Featured Brawls, Call Girls, Face Tattoos And £98 Bottles Of Champagne

Yesterday was Gold Cup Day at the Royal Ascot, traditionally the "highlight of the summer calendar for the well-off and well-connected" in Berkshire, U.K. But according to a report in the Daily Mail, the well-off and well-connected vibe has devolved into something resembling the ass-end of a NASCAR infield. Sayeth racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan, "Sometimes the grandstands seem over-run by tattoos and bare flesh. It's disrespectful — not just to the Queen, but to the horses."

Gasp.

Here's some further detail...

In a blatant disregard for Ascot's strict behavioural code, a drunken brawl broke out by a Victorian band stand. Eight men started to fight on the lawn by a champagne bar just yards from the The Royal Mile, Ascot's home straight. Terrified racegoers fled to avoid being struck by stray punches as the drunken group, some egged on by female friends, armed themselves with bottles and chair legs.

Oh, there's also an "honesty box" where people can place their drugs rather than further disrespecting the ponies with coke-fueled, lip-licking grunts.

A drunken brawl, a celebrity call girl and tattooed men (and women)... whatever happened to a genteel day out at Ascot? [Daily Mail] (H/T Barry W.)

Royal Ascot: drunken brawl mars Ladies' Day [Mirror]

Royal Ascot Procession 2011 - Tuesday [YouTube]

Fashion police on standby as weird hats go on parade on opening day of Royal Ascot races [YouTube]

(Photo H/T TNT Magazine)