American trainer Kenny McPeek issued a rallying cry to the global horse racing community ahead of today's start of Royal Ascot by urging them to follow Australia's lead and bring their best horses to the prestigious English flat meeting.

Meanwhile with bad weather forecast for Ladies Day at Ascot, on Thursday, models for hat designer Ilda Di Vico test her couture creations on THI3TEEN, Alton Towers Resort's new ultimate rollercoaster, which simulates winds of up to 67km/h.

The 47-year-old, who trains in Lexington, Kentucky, came close to becoming the first American to saddle a winner at Ascot when Hard Buck finished second to Doyen in the 2004 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

This year, Mr McPeek has an entry in another of the major races at Ascot, with Noble's Promise entered in the Group One St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday and he also runs Tiz My Time in the Group Three Albany Stakes on Friday.

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