Horse Racing
July 2015Newmarket Festival
Three days of summer racing at Newmarket's Moët & Chandon July Festival bring together horseracing and high fashion in an irresistible midsummer weekend.
Throughout the three-day meeting, a series of prizes are awarded for the best-dressed race goers. There is no official entry process for fashion prizes - the judges simply observe the race goers around the course and make their decision, so it's an excellent incentive to dress to impress, and guarantees that the July Festival is a glamorous fashion spectacle as well as a thrilling display of equine prowess.
On Thursday it is Ladies' Day, when summer dresses and elaborate hats will be out in force. The best-dressed lady is awarded with the prize of a year's supply of champagne. On the racecourse, crowds will be gripped by the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes and the Group 2 July Stakes.
On Friday it is the Abu Dhabi Race Day. Prizes are awarded on this day, dubbed 'Bond Street Day', for the most stylish accessories - so hats, shoes and handbags will be closely scrutinised by roving judges.
The highlight of the festival is the Darley July Cup, which is Europe's premier sprint, and part of the Global Sprint Challenge. It is an exciting opportunity to see the world's fastest thoroughbreds competing. The £400,000 Darley July Cup (Group 1) is one of the most valuable sprint races in the European calendar. Off the course, prizes are also awarded on this day for the best-dressed couple.
Dress Codes
In the Premier Enclosure, jeans, trainers, shorts, collarless shirts and very casual clothes are not permitted. Jackets and ties, while not compulsory, are encouraged.
The Grandstand and Paddock Enclosures operate a smart/casual dress code. While jeans and tailored shorts are permitted, bare tops and singlets are not.
