On Saturday 27th July, thousands of racegoers will be heading to Gosforth Park for a day of unforgettable racing, entertainment and style elegance at Newcastle Racecourse for the highlight of our social calendar – The Gainford Group Ladies Day. Known for the region's best racing, fashion, music, food and, of course, the popular Style Awards, this year the most stylish racegoers will win a range of prizes worth over £8,000.
Stylish outfits and beautiful headwear will be in abundance as thousands of racegoers put their best shoes forward to impress the judges for the annual Style Awards. This year, the judges will be looking for those who have styled an outfit fit for a ‘Champion’.
With a summer scheduled full of sporting events, this year’s Style Guide has been inspired by the spirit of victory and encourages racegoers to ‘dress like a champion’ for the day. Top tips include using gold for inspiration, celebrating your roots by incorporating elements that reflect your culture and heritage and embracing the colours and patterns of champion jockey silks.
The Gainford Group Ladies Day 2024 Style Guide:
Go for Gold: Channel the spirit of champions by using gold to inspire your outfit.
· Statement Piece: Steal the show by choosing a statement dress or tailored suit saturated in gold. Pair back accessories to balance the look.
· Subtle Sophistication: For a subtle nod to gold, opt for bold gold accessories such as statement earrings, bracelets, or an oversized clutch bag to add a touch of glamour to your ensemble.
Take Pride: Celebrate your roots by incorporating elements that reflect your cultural heritage and traditions into your outfit.
· Regional Pride: Showcase your heritage with pride by incorporating elements inspired by your home or culture into your outfit.
· Personal Story: Add a personal touch to your look by adding items that hold sentimental value, particularly vintage pieces
Champion Colours: Be inspired by the colours and patterns of the silks worn by Champion jockeys
· Bold Colours: Embrace the vibrant colours of champion jockey silks by opting for bold and eye-catching hues in your outfit
· Geometric shapes: Choose contrasting stripes or geometric patterns reminiscent of jockey silks.
We spoke to the previous style award winners to get their tips and advice on what inspired their winning looks. Last year's winner, Alexandra Rookes, said, “With so many beautiful outfits on the day, I think it helps to have an unusual hat or fascinator. I picked mine before I even found the dress to go with it. I believe colour coordination works well, but I have seen so many lovely outfits that have a colour clash, so I think it's best to be brave and bold with your colour scheme. You should always make sure you feel good in what you’re wearing, or you won’t enjoy your day as much.
Rae Jae Millinery was the master behind my showstopping hat. She is truly amazing with what she can create. My hat was very ‘out there’, but I loved it and would definitely recommend picking something you find fun to wear.”
Limited Tickets for Gainford Group Ladies Day are still on sale. General Admission tickets start at £41, and group hospitality packages are available. So, those wishing to attend are encouraged to book now from the Newcastle Racecourse website.
Paul Elliott, Executive Director of Newcastle Racecourse, told us: “The Gainford Group Ladies Day is still one of the most popular and standout events on our calendar at Newcastle Racecourse. The variety of outfits and individual styles displayed year after year never fails to amaze us, and the passion and enthusiasm that our guests put into looking their best is very evident.”
Paul added; “Knowing how proud the North East is of its local culture, heritage and roots, I believe this year's style guide and champions theme fits the region perfectly, and we are looking forward to seeing what creative interpretations will be showcased this year.”
For those seeking to elevate their race day experience, this year, Gainford Group Ladies Day is introducing a selection of new hospitality packages, which are already proving to be incredibly popular for any occasion. The range of hospitality packages includes exclusive VIP areas, bottomless brunch or gourmet dining options, all of which will add an extra sparkle to your day.
