I stood on the lawn for race 7: the one that “stops the nation”. But before the horses were out of the gates, a man wandered back under the pavilion, telling his friend: “I don’t want to be out here watching the horses run ... I want to be partying.”

For about two minutes, though, most eyes were transfixed on the track. There were two sets of cheers; one when Vow And Declare appeared to past the post first; and another when that was officially announced over the PA.

Shortly after, many punters turned on their heels and waded into the increasingly bulging crowds under the grandstand. To the bar. And another race begins.