Why Do Horse Racing Festivals Have Ladies’ Days?

Why Do Horse Racing Festivals Have Ladies’ Days?

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With the Cheltenham Festival just around the corner, there will plenty of racing action to fill the sports pages but much of the media focus will also be on Ladies’ Day. Ladies’ day falls on the Wednesday of the festival and is the one day when the focus is as much on the fashion as it is the horses. This tradition is not limited to Cheltenham; the Aintree Festival, Royal Ascot, and the Epsom Derby are among the other horse racing events which have a Ladies’ Day, which often attracts celebrity guests. But where did this tradition come from? And which one is the best?

Origins in Ascot

There are a few theories as to why Ladies’ Day exists. The first festival to host a Ladies’ Day was Royal Ascot. And it is thought the final day originally became known as Ladies’ Day in honour of Queen Anne, who founded the event back in 1711. Ladies day was later switched to Thursday, the same day as the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup race. In 1823, an anonymous poet referred to “Ladies’ Day” as the day “when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine.” It is also believed that women were even offered discounted or free entry on this day to dilute the male dominance of such events.

Ladies’ Day but not in name

Despite being the first festival to have such a day, the Royal Ascot organisers have not used the term “Ladies’ Day” for as long as anyone can remember. It does not appear in any of their official marketing or promotional material and there are no references to it on their website. Yet it remains a tradition for Thursday at Ascot to be a celebration of high fashion and glamour. Organisers have suggested that they do not want Thursday at Ascot to be confused with other Ladies’ Days where prizes are handed out and competitions are held. It is more about looking smart and making an impression on a day when the Queen is often present.

Competitions and prizes

Elsewhere, things are a little more relaxed. At Kelso racecourse, for example, competition is the name of the game on Ladies’ Day. There are prizes for best-dressed lady, best-dressed couple and, of course, best hat. At Aintree in Liverpool, where the Grand National Festival is held in April, the winner of the Ladies’ Day Style Award gets to take a home a brand new car, while the best-dressed lady in 2020 will be awarded a year’s supply of dresses from Chi Chi in London. Now we are talking!

Cheltenham Festival also has awards for best-dressed lady, best accessories, and best hat. So, it’s not just those who make the right selections in the latest Cheltenham betting and odds from William Hill who stand a chance of winning. Anyone could walk away with a brand new car or similar prize just for coming on top in the style and fashion stakes.

At the 2019 Epsom Derby Ladies’ Day, prizes from the Jockey Club included a seven-night stay in Mauritius for two, including flights; a year’s supply of Chi Chi London outfits; and a bespoke consultation and headpiece from Jessica Rea millinery. Now you can understand why people go to such great lengths to stand out from the crowd.

Which is the best?

Ladies’ Day has been around for at least two centuries and looks set to continue well into the future. They are all fantastic days out that give racegoers the chance to dress up, look good, and feel good while witnessing some of the best horse races in the world. But of all the Ladies’ Day, we prefer the one at Cheltenham – it just has that right balance of glamour and fun.