Ladies’ Day at Aintree turned ugly today when a fight broke out between a group of young men who threw punches at each other in the stands as shocked race-goers looked on.
Merseyside Police have now confirmed that eight men have been arrested for offences, including four on suspicion of affray and two men on suspicion of assault.
One man was arrested on suspicion of a drugs offense after being searched near the main entrance to the racecourse, and another was suspected of being drunk and disorderly.
Shocking photos from the second day of the event in Liverpool today show a man in a gray suit with blood around his mouth apparently preparing to punch another racegoer, who raises a hand in an apparent attempt to dissuade him.
A second image shows the moment another grimacing thug made contact with a rival’s left ear, and a third shows several men fighting in the middle of a large crowd.
The shocking photos show a man in a gray suit with blood around his mouth apparently preparing to punch another racegoer, who raises a hand in an apparent attempt to dissuade him.
A second image shows the moment another grimacing thug made contact with a rival’s left ear.
A third shows several men fighting in the middle of a large crowd.
Racing fans battle each other as they brawl on day two of the Grand National Festival horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.
Chief Inspector Iain Wyke, in charge of the event’s policing operation, said: “Ladies Day welcomed thousands more visitors to the festival and I would like to thank everyone for enjoying the day safely.”
‘There were very few incidents of note as the vast majority of race-goers enjoyed themselves without causing any disruption. “We now look forward to the highlight of tomorrow’s racing calendar, the Grand National, which will attract even bigger crowds to Aintree Racecourse.
‘With this I would like to reiterate to all attendees that please arrive with enough time so that they can pass the security check without problems and enjoy the rest of the day.
“I would also remind visitors that our officers will be on the field to speak to them about any issues or concerns so we can act on them.”
The brawl follows another brawl during a private event in Aintree in December, with punters exchanging punches and kicks while security guards appeared to simply watch.
The Grand National is one of the biggest days on the racing calendar but, like other races, it is often the scene of outbreaks of drunken violence among a small minority of the crowd.
Away from the embarrassing scenes, most racegoers embraced the Ladies’ Day atmosphere by dressing in their best.
While the festival revolves around horse racing, today is the day when racing fans participate in a competition to win the coveted cash prize after being crowned best dressed.
As the day progressed, revelers sipped champagne and showed off their best moves, proving that wobbly stilettos were no match for the dance floor.
One woman was pictured drinking from the bottle as her friends smiled for photos and two other racegoers were pictured clinking their champagne glasses together to celebrate the second day of Aintree.
Excited friends filled each other with champagne as they prepared for a day full of sophistication, excitement and, of course, racing.
Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, Merseyside, part of this year’s Grand National
A racing fan sits in a container at the end of the second day of the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival
An attendee at the end of the second day of the event in Liverpool
Rubbish strewn on the ground on Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool
More light-hearted scenes: A woman is shown drinking from the bottle as her friend cheers her on in Liverpool today.
Today a group of friends are shown having fun in Aintree, while a woman smiles at the camera with a drink in her hand.
Three revelers put on a leggy display as they attended the festival dressed in short printed dresses, large floppy hats and heels.
The first to arrive at the racecourse brought bright sunglasses and fabulous hats, but had to hold on to their large headdresses as they battled the strong winds in Liverpool.
One racing fan opted for a deep purple and butter yellow color combination in a form-fitting dress paired with an elaborate floral headpiece.
Another chose a teal dress with a structured collar, which she paired with a very summery yellow net headdress that perfectly complemented her blonde bob.
In another ode to the natural world, a fellow reveler arrived in a long, flowing multicolored dress that she accessorized with a blue headdress with a stunning fuchsia floral print.
The stunning fashion displays follow a first day of excitement at the racecourse where partygoers enjoyed a night of fun after the exciting action on the field.
Love Islander Claudia Fogarty was photographed at the event, wearing a 90s-inspired hot pink strapless dress.
She paired it with white heels and a matching Jacquemus bag with gold drop earrings.
Unlike Royal Ascot, which adopts stricter rules about what to wear, Aintree takes a more relaxed approach, telling attendees to simply come “dressed to feel your best.”
Costumes for revelers are also permitted, as long as the costume is not offensive or derogatory.
One woman even showed her love for Manchester United, as she donned a Bardot dress that showed off her tattoo.
And the police couldn’t hide their excitement either, with photos of officers smiling at some of the bright, creative outfits worn by racegoers.
Around 150,000 people are expected to attend the three-day festival in the coming days, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Guests in attendance included celebrities including Liverpool legend John Barnes.
The former England star opted for a tweed look, while his wife Andrea channeled Minnie Mouse elegance in a navy blue polka dot dress and red cardigan.
A woman dressed in a low-cut dress embroidered with nude gemstones as she arrives at the race event.
A woman is pictured drinking a bottle of champagne at today’s event in Liverpool.
This reveler wore a sapphire blue dress with a high thigh-high slit, paired with a fluffy coat.