Ladies Day : A Celebration of Style and Sport
Ladies Days are the most glamorous and eagerly anticipated fixtures in the British racing calendar. Held at numerous racecourses across the UK, these events combine top-class horse racing with a celebration of female fashion (though that’s not to say the men don’t get dressed up too!). While each racecourse Ladies Day has its own approach with some treated with more importance than others, the central focus is on elegance and occasion. This unique mix of horse racing, fun and fashion, brings the sport of kings to a wider audience than usual.
Some of the largest and best known Ladies Days are held at major racing festivals such as Royal Ascot, the Grand National Festival (Aintree), and the Ebor Festival (York). Spectators wear their finest outfits, with striking hats and fascinators competing for attention alongside the world-class racing action. Beyond these days, many other racecourses host Ladies Day competitions too, rewarding the best-dressed attendees with cash prizes and designer goods. Smaller regional racecourses from Chester and Goodwood to Ayr and Beverley each bringing a unique local flavour.
Ladies Days draw crowds who may attend as much for the atmosphere as the racing itself (in the same way that ‘Newmarket Nights’ days do with music). Behind the fashion though, there’s the same high-quality fields and so for the racing purist there’s as much to see as ever.
While tradition is an aspect of Ladies Day, it’s not always a serious affair, and there’s often an outfit or two (male and female!) that brings a smile to faces. It’s all about enjoying the day. Whether it’s the prestige of Royal Ascot or the charm of a local racecourse, Ladies Day is a uniquely classy yet quirky and very British affair.