Glamorous racegoers descended on Surrey for Epsom Ladies’ Day – and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of two-day festival, which includes the Coronation Day and the Oaks.
As the races began and the sun came out, revellers wasted no time in getting the booze out – and getting the party started by popping champagne and sipping on pints.
The ensembles on display at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Derby Festival were as daring as ever, with low-scooped corset style tops on display alongside daring thigh splits.
Others dressed for the occasion with bright and vibrant fascinators, oozing glitz in a bid to be crowned best dressed.
Friday’s events commenced at 1.30pm, with the Betfred Oaks at 4pm.
The final sprint took place just after 5pm – with Marvin Humes providing DJ entertainment for revellers for the rest of the evening.
Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks. This highly-anticipated race day is also a chance for racegoers to showcase their style, with colourful dresses, wide-brimmed hats and fancy fascinators.
Glamorous racegoers have descended on Surrey for Epsom Ladies’ Day – and they certainly didn’t disappoint
Cheers! Revellers wasted no time and enjoyed pints from the sidelines
Racegoers were in high spirits as Ladies Day got underway at the Epsom Derby on Friday
The website calls Ladies’ Day ‘a spectacular, gleeful celebratory day where people come together to join in racing’s most spectacular carnival’.
While all eyes are on the runners and riders of the day, the competition also provides the opportunity for the ladies attending to fight it out for who is best dressed on the other side of the fence.
Epsom organisers describe the Derby, due to take place at 3.30pm tomorrow, as the ‘world’s greatest flat race’.
With an incredible prize pot of £1.5million, the race lasts one-and-a-half miles.
The owner normally receives about 75 per cent of a race’s prize money, while the remaining 25 per cent is generally split between the trainer (10 per cent), the jockey (10 per cent) and then the final 5 per cent to stable staff and racing charities.
However, the Derby has been issued with a yellow weather warning, with the Met Office predicting thunderstorms and hail could hit the track.
It’s a good bet: Derby revellers celebrate and enjoy showing off their winnings
Heel-ing hands: A racegoer pulls a sultry pose as she rests on the lawns next to the track
One lady rested her wearied feet by sitting on the steps in between the races on Friday
The ensembles were as daring as ever, with low-scooped corset style tops on display
One woman switched into her flats and held her heels after many hours of watching the races
Others popped champagne as the races geared up this afternoon
Racegoers at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on Ladies Day
As the sun came out, relieved racegoers made sure the party was getting started
Race-goers pose for a picture as they arrive to watch horse racing during Ladies Day at the Epsom Derby in Epsom Downs in Surrey
One glam attendee wore a corset-style top alongside matching fascinator
Racegoers during Ladies Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse
Hat designer Tracy Rose held onto her ambitious rainbow design as she arrived at the races
A large group of friends kicked off the racing event, which takes place in Surrey every year
Beer O’clock! As the races commenced, it was time for revellers to have pints and Pimms
Others opted for more pastel shades, showcasing their girl power as they entered the scene
The drinks were soon in full flow as racegoers sipped bubbly while waiting for the action
By midday, the pints were in full flow as racegoers sat with a drink
Racegoers ready for an afternoon of fun were ready to go with bottles of wine and ice
Pint glasses were soon drained and empty – but luckily they had back up
High there! A group of friends pose in a human pyramid formation
The fall guys: Moments after striking a pose, the men find themselves tumbling to the ground
Plenty of bottle: One racegoer carried her wine in a bag during this afternoon’s races
Strike a pose: A pair of visitors have their picture taken as they arrive to watch the races
Thrills and spills: Racegoers get close to the action at the Epsom Derby on Friday
Hundreds turned out for the event, which has been held at Epsom Downs since 1780
Racegoers take a break in between races as the annual event got underway on Friday
Waiting for the mane event: These ladies are all smiles as they watch the horse racing
Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of the two-day festival
Feeling festive: In between races, visitors enjoyed sunshine and spirits
Place your bets: Two racegoers ponder which horse to back for the upcoming event
Lady in red: One visitor cuts a striking figure in a matching dress and hat
Many enjoyed the social aspect of watching the races during the first day of the Epsom Derby
One racegoer donned oversized sunglasses as the weather flitted between sun and rain
A pair of friends rest on a bench wearing sandals after a day out at the races
Bite of the action: A woman smiles as she holds her winnings at today’s Epsom Derby
Money moment: A woman yelps in delight after winning her bet
Shoe me the way to go home: A pair of high heels have been discarded at left at Epsom
Holding hands: Racegoers enjoy the final moments of today’s action at the racecourse
Back down to earth: Some racegoers simply had to have a lie down after the day’s activities
Taking a tumble: One racegoer is helped up by her friends after falling to the ground
Well heeled: Racegoers show off their stylish footwear at the event
Cause for celebration: Scores threw their hands up in the air after their horses were victorious
Racegoers show the anticipation on their faces as the race gets underway
Going for glamour: A pair of ladies dressed for the annual occasion
For the past two years, the winning jockey was Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien – however horses can only win it once.
In the past, the event has been attended by a flurry of royals, including the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, and Queen Camilla in attendance.
Held at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, the Derby was first run in 1780.
It is Britain’s richest flat horse race, and the most prestigious of the five Classics – the other four of which are the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the 1,000 Guineas Stakes, the Epsom Oaks, and the St Leger Stakes.
Last year, King Charles attended Ladies’ Day to watch the Betfred Oaks, and his horse Treasure, bred by the late Queen, finish in 11th place.
One woman dressed for the weather with a waterproof coat and rubber ducks on her hat
Others opted for a more traditional style, creating a bright display
However, it was a wet start for racegoers, who were forced to accessorise with umbrellas and coats
Glamorous racegoers have descended on Surrey for Epsom Ladies’ Day – and they certainly didn’t disappoint
Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of the weekend
The hats were as vibrant as ever, as one racegoer opted for bright shades of pink
A pair of glamorous friends arrived in bright spirits as the day commenced
No rain on my parade! One racegoer opted for a bright yellow ensemble with sparkling silver shoes
Temperatures today at Epsom are set to remain around 15 degrees, but revellers should start to see some sun when the races kick off this afternoon
Friday’s events are set to commence at 1.30pm, with the Betfred Oaks at 4pm
However, others chose to play it safe with the weather, adding a stylish blazer
Newlywed Georgia Toffolo was dressed to the nines in a brown spotty blouse and elegant white skirt
Among the celebrity arrivals were Gabby and Kenny Logan
Revellers changed into their finery, carrying flat shoes for the partying ahead
Racegoers caught the giggles as they posed for photographs
Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks
Attendees glammed up with Gucci accessorises and gold jewellery
Harry Redknapp during Ladies Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse
Though the rain appeared to have eased off, racegoers still held onto their hats amid the wind
By contrast, Cheltenham Racing Festival, which takes place in March, has taken the decision to rename ‘Ladies’ Day’ as ‘Style Wednesday’ to encourage both men and women to take part in the fashion competition.
The Jockey Club, which runs 15 courses across the UK, also ditched the Best Dressed competition.
Instead, the day now includes the Slow Fashion awards, open to both men and women, which ‘celebrates vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces’.
A spokesperson for Cheltenham Racecourse said last year: ‘This year we re-launched day two of The Festival as Style Wednesday to celebrate “fast horses, slow fashion”, encouraging racegoers to make more sustainable fashion choices, showcasing their unique and personal style, and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends, family and on social media.
‘This includes re-wearing outfits they already have in their wardrobes, purchasing timeless garments to wear again and again and also buying from retailers specialising in pre-loved clothing.’
