Racing into the weekend! Glamorous revellers steal the limelight in shoulder-baring dresses and dramatic headpieces for Ladies Day at Doncaster’s St Leger festival
Glamorous racegoers upped the fashion stakes as they brought the glitz and glamour to the Betfred St Leger Festival in Doncaster today.
Female revellers kicked off Ladies Day in brightly coloured, shoulder-baring dresses and descended on the racecourse to make the most of the glorious sunshine before the season changes.
For the opening day, guests showed off a dazzling array of dresses that were both elegant and experimental, combining classic fascinators and floral headpieces with edgier looks.
One attendee opted for a monochrome look, as she paired her scarlet dress – with an interesting ruffle neck detail – with a dramatic hat in the same colour.
Another picked a pale pink, off-shoulder dress with a headband as she excitedly took photographs at the festival that attracts thousands for four ‘thrilling days of action and excitement’ in racing.
It is the oldest race currently run under the rules of horse racing and is the final leg of the Stayer’s Triple Crown.
Glamorous racegoers upped the fashion stakes as they brought the glitz and glamour to the Betfred St Leger Festival in Doncaster today
Female revellers donned brightly coloured, shoulder-baring dresses and descended on the racecourse to make the most of the glorious sunshine before the season changes
Kicking off the event, guests opted for outfits which were both elegant and experimental, combining classic fascinators and floral headpieces with edgier looks
One of the highlights of the British racing calendar, St Leger festival typically opens with Ladies Day as attendees spend weeks picking out their outfits so they are dressed to impress.
This year, several guests delivered striking single-colour looks, with one attendee matching her navy blue polka-dotted dress to a fascinator in the same shade.
Another repeated the same outfit formula in butter yellow, which has been a popular colour this summer.
A third racegoer turned heads in a printed floral dress and a grey hat decorated with pink flowers that beautifully contrasted her silver locks.
Tomorrow it will be the men’s turn to show off their race day looks on what is known as Betfred Gents Day when racegoers can also enjoy live entertainment, delicious food and drink, and plenty of memorable moments’, according to the website.
One of the highlights will be the Doncaster Cup, the oldest race still run under official rules.
This year marks the 250th anniversary since the first running of the famous Betfred St Leger Stakes, with day three expected to attract ‘the leading stables from across the country’ for the prestigious race.
‘The final day of the festival, the Betfred Sunday Funday, showcases great horse racing,’ the website says.
Guests enjoying glasses of bubbly as Ladies Day got underway
A third racegoer turned heads in a printed floral dress and a grey hat decorated with pink flowers that beautifully contrasted her silver locks
One of the highlights of the British racing calendar, St Leger festival typically opens with Ladies Day as attendees spend weeks picking out their outfits so they are dressed to impress
This year, several guests delivered striking single-colour looks, with one attendee matching her navy blue polka-dotted dress to a fascinator in the same shade
Two years ago, the King and Queen made a historic visit to Doncaster racecourse to watch their chestnut colt, Desert Hero, at St Leger.
While one might think the Windsors are regulars on track, that is not the case. For them to be on Town Moor, then, on an overcast autumnal afternoon – an occasion far removed from the pageantry of Ascot in June – made this a hugely significant moment.
It comes after racing enthusiasts flocked to Berkshire for the Big Ascot Food and Wine Racing Weekend, a two-day late-summer fixture before the season draws to a close.
While a strict dress code is enforced for Royal Ascot, which is attended by the King and his family, no formal rules apply to guests inside the Queen Anne Enclosure during the Big Ascot Food & Wine Friday Raceday.
Hats are optional for most; however, headpieces are encouraged inside the King Edward VII Enclosure.
Although not as well-known Royal Ascot, this two-day affair gives attendees the chance to watch emerging racing talent while indulging in sumptuous food and wine.
