The British Ball returned in spectacular fashion on Friday, 13 June, as BritCham Shanghai brought the heritage, elegance and excitement of Royal Ascot to Shanghai for an unforgettable evening of racing, entertainment, philanthropy and British-inspired hospitality.
Presented by Dulwich College International, British Ball 2026: Ascot Edition brought together members, partners, sponsors and friends from across Shanghai’s international community to celebrate one of the Chamber’s flagship social events of the year.
The evening opened with a captivating performance by Dulwich College International’s String Ensemble, setting an elegant tone for the celebrations ahead. Guests were welcomed by BritCham Shanghai Chair Edward Weeks, followed by a VIP address from Garry Russell, Head of Dulwich College International, whose support and partnership played a central role in bringing this year’s Ball to life.
Representing the evening’s charitable beneficiaries, Sophia Shen of RDA Shanghai and Frances O’Rourke of Shanghai Sunrise shared inspiring remarks on the impact of their organisations and the importance of community support.
At the heart of the evening was the Ascot-inspired Race Night experience, which transformed fundraising into one of the Ball’s most engaging attractions. Each race carried its own unique character, from Dulwich College International’s “Live Worldwise” race, to Berkeley Group’s “Think UK, Think Berkeley” race and Spear & Jackson’s “1760 Challenge“, guests studied race cards, backed their favourite horses and followed each race with growing anticipation, as the ballroom erupted with cheers and applause, capturing the energy and spectacle of Ascot itself.
Every bet placed contributed directly towards supporting Shanghai Sunrise and RDA Shanghai, while successful racegoers received BritCham Sterling that could be exchanged for an extensive collection of prizes generously donated by sponsors and supporters. Together with the evening’s Silent Auction, the initiative created a unique blend of entertainment, philanthropy and community participation that kept guests engaged from start to finish.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors and donors, British Ball 2026: Ascot Edition raised close to RMB 150,000 in support of the two charities. While BritCham Shanghai has previously achieved higher fundraising totals, this year’s result represents one of the strongest fundraising performances in the event’s history, reflecting the extraordinary generosity and enthusiasm of the community.
Ascot fashion was on full display throughout the evening as guests embraced the theme with remarkable flair and creativity. In partnership with SCABAL, the coveted Best of Ascot Awards recognised outstanding style across the categories of Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman, Best Dressed Table and Best Hat Awards.
Throughout the evening, guests were guided through the programme by host Elliot van Cayzeele, whose energy, humour and close-up magic helped keep the excitement flowing between races, fundraising activities and award presentations.
Guests also enjoyed wines and champagne generously provided by Harrods and Winekee, alongside premium whisky from The Macallan. A remarkable collection of auction and prize donations further enhanced the evening experience and reflected the generosity and support of the wider BritCham community.
The celebrations concluded in spectacular fashion as Dulwich College International’s band, The Mothers of Detention, took to the stage. Delivering a crowd-pleasing set packed with well-loved hits, the band quickly filled the dance floor and ensured the Ball ended on a high note.
BritCham Shanghai extends its sincere appreciation to our Title Sponsor, Dulwich College International; Race Sponsors Berkeley Group and Spear & Jackson; beverage sponsors Harrods, The Macallan and WineKee; Best Dressed Award partner SCABAL; Media Partner Shanghai Spotlight and our many prize donors and supporters; and our community partners SingCham, IPWS and SORSA for helping promote the event and encouraging participation across Shanghai’s international community.
Most importantly, thank you to every guest who joined us. Your enthusiasm, generosity and support made British Ball 2026: Ascot Edition a truly memorable evening. Together, we celebrated British tradition, strengthened community connections and supported two outstanding charitable organisations — all while enjoying an unforgettable night “at the races”.
