The skies over Cheltenham may not yet be showing signs of sunshine, but that didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those who took to the racecourse on the final day of the Gloucestershire meeting.
As well as classic spectator attire – including neutral Macs, knee-high riding boots and wide-brimmed fedoras galore, there were plenty of racegoers determined to make a mark in the style stakes.
The final day of the four-day race meeting, which originated in 1860, saw a pair of male spectators in dazzling gold suits clear a nod to the famous Gold Cup, which will be awarded later today.
Elsewhere, there were ladies wearing coats in shades of fuschia pink and the brightest yellows and even some Texas Hold’em vibes; one lady donned a cowhide jacket and red bandana.
Razzle dazzle them – and match the grand prize! A few spectators decided to coordinate with the Cheltenham Gold Cup that will be awarded later today
TGI Friday! Racegoers heading to the fourth and final day at Cheltenham were clearly looking forward to a flutter and some champagne
Monochrome: This lady looked sharp in a white suit teamed with a black coat and heels
It’s been a similar story all week; yesterday guests started St. Patrick’s Thursday in style with a range of check coats, vibrant hats and colour-coordinated ensembles.
And they were in royal company as Princess Beatrice, 35, and Zara Tindall, 42, enjoyed a cousins’ day out with their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, and former rugby ace Mike Tindall, 45.
The third day of the festival is known as St. Patrick’s Thursday, and dozens of revelers dressed accordingly, showing off their shamrocks, green dresses and emerald accessories.
Gold Cup Day: The festival’s biggest prize is awarded on Friday afternoon
Well, it’s chilly…Friday saw gray clouds, with some opting for bearskin hats to fend off the drizzle
Elsewhere, there was plenty of classic millinery, with fedoras seemingly at every turn
Yee-ha! One spectator went for rodeo vibes, with a livestock coat, red bandana and knee-high suede boots
Coats of many colors: Racegoers didn’t shy away from bold hues on the final day
Tartans and bold patterns have also featured heavily at the 2024 event, now known as much for its fashion as its racing
Jeans are now allowed at the event, with this spectator donning wide-leg denim with a cuddly vest and checkered jacket
The royal family were also out in force earlier this week, with Princess Beatrice and husband Edo joining Zara and Mike at the races.
Beatrice, who looked chic in a brown coat, pillbox hat and Kate Spade bag, wrapped her arms around cousin Zara, who opted for a gray coat and green fascinator.
A number of famous faces were seen in the crowds, including actor James Nesbitt and presenter Nick Knowles, who arrived hand in hand with his girlfriend Katie Dadzie.
Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo looked chic in a retro-style brown suede coat, teamed with a red headband, after missing the earlier days of the festival.
This week she took to Instagram to tell fans she was disappointed not to be attending each day of the event, but has been spending quality time with her boyfriend – BrewDog’s James Watt – after moving in together.
The Royal Family put on another uncharacteristically loved-up display today as Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi joined Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall at the Cheltenham races
The third day of the festival is known as St Patrick’s Thursday and scores of revelers dressed accordingly, showing off their shamrocks, green dresses and emerald accessories.
Sticking with today’s theme: A racegoer shows off his shamrock-covered suit and tie
Princess Anne also attended the royal day, looking effortlessly chic in a green coat
Former Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo looked chic in a retro brown suede coat teamed with a red headband
She admitted the pair had barely seen each other, despite her moving into his flat due to their hectic work schedules.
Guests at this year’s event have stepped up to the plate, chugged beer and Red Bull and ditched Jimmy Choos for thigh-high boots and trainers in a move that has prompted comparisons with Aintree, the Merseyside meeting famous for its rowdy crowds and street style.
Last year, the Jockey Club scrapped its strict dress code at its racecourses, hoping to encourage a younger crowd to racing events where jeans and trainers were no longer looked down upon, and ‘come dressed to feel your best’ guidance in place.
The formal dress codes – which often included a jacket and tie – were dropped in a bid to make horse racing more ‘accessible and inclusive’, the Jockey Club said in a statement.
The only exceptions to the new policy at any of the 342 tournaments staged by The Jockey Club are offensive fancy dress or offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports jerseys.
This means trainers, tracksuits and ripped jeans are now allowed and players have so far seemed to be taking advantage of this.
While Cheltenham is owned by the Jockey Club, the track never had a formal dress code.
But in years past, men wore suits and women wore smart dresses and heels, while jeans and trainers were usually avoided.
But this year, stilettos have been swapped for chunky boots and traditional long dresses have been amped up. Noughties fashion seemed to be in vogue, with people opting for rara skirts and blazers.
This means trainers, tracksuits and ripped jeans are now allowed and players have so far seemed to be taking advantage of this.
While Cheltenham is owned by the Jockey Club, the track never had a formal dress code.
But in years past, men wore suits and women wore smart dresses and heels, while jeans and trainers were usually avoided.
But this year, stilettos have been swapped for chunky boots and traditional long dresses have been amped up. Noughties fashion seemed to be in vogue with people opting for rara skirts and blazers.
For today’s race meeting, The Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle headlines at 15:30, with Teahupoo hoping to go a few places better than last season, as it is denied by stablemate Sire Du Berlais, who is also running again.
It’s the most open of the festival’s feature races, with winners hard to predict.
Three previous Stayers’ Hurdle winners line up – Paisley Park, twice successful Flooring Porter and last year’s scorer Sire Du Berlais.
Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo finished third last year and returns a more mature and complete athlete at seven, the age of five of the last seven winners.
