Stylish partygoers embrace rainy and windy conditions at Epsom Ladies’ Day

Glamorous racegoers have descended on Surrey for Epsom Ladies’ Day – and they certainly didn’t disappoint. 

Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, festival-goers embraced a damp start and light rain on the kick-off day of the weekend festivities, which included the Coronation Day and the Oaks.

People were forced to accessorise with umbrellas and raincoats as they arrived at the course – but this didn’t mean they compromised on glamour. 

The outfits on exhibit at Epsom Downs were as bold as ever, featuring plunging corset-style tops paired with daring thigh-high slits.

Others dressed for the occasion with bright and vibrant fascinators, oozing glitz in a bid to be crowned best dressed. 

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. 

The final sprint is due to take place just after 5pm – with Marvin Humes providing DJ entertainment for revellers for the rest of the evening.  

Glamorous racegoers have descended on Surrey for Epsom Ladies’ Day – and they certainly didn’t disappoint

However, it was a wet start for racegoers, who were forced to accessorise with umbrellas and coats

Ladies’ Day is highlighted by the Betfred Oaks, the third Classic race of the season. This eagerly awaited race also serves as an opportunity for attendees to flaunt their fashion sense, sporting vibrant dresses, wide-brimmed hats, and elegant fascinators.

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. 

Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of the weekend

One glam attendee wore a corset-style top alongside matching fascinator

The hats were as vibrant as ever, as one racegoer opted for bright shades of pink

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

The drinks were soon in full flow as racegoers sipped bubbly while waiting for the action

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

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 finished in 11th place. 

Among the celebrity arrivals were Gabby and Kenny Logan

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.’