Cheltenham revellers brace the wet and windy weather as first day of race meet gets underway


It’s the first day of Cheltenham races with glamorous racegoers pulling out all the stops despite wet and windy weather.

Crowds began to gather at the Gloucestershire track as early as 8am as revellers teetered in high heels and fur hats into the grounds.

White dresses seemed to be the order of the day, with many guests opting for monochrome tones and noughties-inspired looks including rara-skirts and blazers for the day out.

Others opted for tweed and beige looks, with various female guests, including Jade Holland Cooper,  rebelling against traditional dress codes and opting for suits.

A touch of flair was added by two male guests who opted for brightly coloured suits.

Brightly coloured coats were and jackets were certainly in Vogue among the revellers

One reveller matched a green blazer with a pussy bow

Brightly coloured coats were and jackets were certainly in Vogue among the revellers 

Bottoms up! Another sipped on a bottle of fizz amid the bad weather

Bottoms up! Another sipped on a bottle of fizz amid the bad weather

It's the first day of Cheltenham races with glamorous racegoers pulling out all the stops despite wet and windy weather. Claudia Moberley, the girlfriend of Bristol City's Taylor Gardner-Hickman stunned in a white dress

It’s the first day of Cheltenham races with glamorous racegoers pulling out all the stops despite wet and windy weather. Claudia Moberley, the girlfriend of Bristol City’s Taylor Gardner-Hickman stunned in a white dress

Crowds began to gather at the Gloucestershire track as early as 8am as revellers teetered in high heels and fur hats into the grounds

A reveller arrives

Crowds began to gather at the Gloucestershire track as early as 8am as revellers teetered in high heels and fur hats into the grounds

White dresses seemed to be the order of the day, with many guests opting for monochrome tones and noughties-inspired looks including rara-skirts and blazers for the day out

White dresses seemed to be the order of the day, with many guests opting for monochrome tones and noughties-inspired looks including rara-skirts and blazers for the day out

A touch of flair was added by two male guests who opted for brightly coloured suits

A touch of flair was added by two male guests who opted for brightly coloured suits

One headed into the races in a fuschia two-piece and matching tie, while another paired black boots with a cerulean blue suit complete with a map of the world printed on it

One headed into the races in a fuschia two-piece and matching tie, while another paired black boots with a cerulean blue suit complete with a map of the world printed on it

Ready for the weather! Wet and windy weather seemed to cause a countryside chic look among guests

Ready for the weather! Wet and windy weather seemed to cause a countryside chic look among guests

Well-heeled guests included Zara and Mike Tindall. The royal couple opted for a demure look, with Zara in a navy coat and statement flair sleeve with heeled black boots and a polo neck

Well-heeled guests included Zara and Mike Tindall. The royal couple opted for a demure look, with Zara in a navy coat and statement flair sleeve with heeled black boots and a polo neck

Princess Anne's newly appointed Lady in Waiting Dolly Maude joined the festivities

Princess Anne’s newly appointed Lady in Waiting Dolly Maude joined the festivities 

Ricky Hatton also enjoyed a beer with friends

Ricky Hatton also enjoyed a beer with friends

Chanel-inspired black and white looks appeared to be popular

Chanel-inspired black and white looks appeared to be popular

Others opted for tweed and beige looks, with various female guests rebelling against traditional dress codes and opting for suits. Pictured is Jade Holland Cooper

Others opted for tweed and beige looks, with various female guests rebelling against traditional dress codes and opting for suits. Pictured is Jade Holland Cooper

Bottoms up! Revellers grabbed bottles of Moet for the celebration

Bottoms up! Revellers grabbed bottles of Moet for the celebration

These revellers opted for jeans while waving at the camera

These revellers opted for jeans while waving at the camera

A pint was a good way to start the day for these revellers

A pint was a good way to start the day for these revellers

Pouring rain didn't stop these revellers donning their highest heels

Pouring rain didn’t stop these revellers donning their highest heels

This reveller was quick on her feet but using a scarf to shield herself from the rain

This reveller was quick on her feet but using a scarf to shield herself from the rain

One headed into the races in a fuschia two-piece and matching tie, while another paired black boots with a cerulean blue suit complete with a map of the world printed on it. 

Well-heeled guests included Zara and Mike Tindall.

The royal couple opted for a demure look, with Zara in a navy coat and statement flair sleeve with heeled black boots and a polo neck.

Mike matched in navy, pairing his suit with a baker boy hat.

Wednesday’s Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival may have to be put back to Friday after more overnight rain than expected left part of the course waterlogged.

The track had expected 2-4mm of rain overnight but have already had 6mm with a further 4-6mm still forecast.

The main track where today’s races will be run has had its going description changed from Soft to Soft (heavy in places).

The Cross Country track is only used on a few times a year and is at the centre of the course. 

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the biggest race of the week which holds one of the biggest prize pots in the sport.

Tomorrow, hundreds of men and women will compete for best dressed in Style Wednesday – which was previously known as Ladies Day. 

The prestigious second day of the four-day event is known for attracting a host of royals and celebrities alike as they show off their fashion prowess while enjoying a day out at the races in Gloucestershire.

Green queen! One reveller looked stunning in a bright green coat with boots and fluffy embellishments

Green queen! One reveller looked stunning in a bright green coat with boots and fluffy embellishments 

Stylish and sophisticated! Others opted for brown and orange looks for the day out

Stylish and sophisticated! Others opted for brown and orange looks for the day out

Burberry-inspired looks were also popular with revellers as brown and checked hues dominated

Many of the revellers looked stylish and sophisticated

Burberry-inspired looks were also popular with revellers as brown and checked hues dominated

Light as a feather! One reveller opted for a huge feather detail on her hat

Light as a feather! One reveller opted for a huge feather detail on her hat 

A view of betting stands on day one of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival at

A view of betting stands on day one of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival at

Bit of all white! One reveller opted for blue and white - complete with pom poms - for the day out

A racegoer is picutred

Bit of all white! One reveller opted for blue and white – complete with pom poms – for the day out

Another wrapped up warm in a flat cap and blanket scarf to watch the races

Another wrapped up warm in a flat cap and blanket scarf to watch the races

Some excited racegoers even start planning their outfits for the popular occasion six or so months in advance.  

The day will now instead include the Slow Fashion awards, open to both men and women, which ‘celebrates vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces’.

Commenting on the change, The Daily Mail’s Nadine Dorries said in her latest column: ‘I looked at the programme and saw, with no fanfare or warning, that Ladies Day at Cheltenham appears to have been downgraded to Style Wednesday.

‘I’m assuming this is some sort of woke nod from the Jockey Club to the powerful trans lobby.

‘If that’s the case, the Jockey Club might like to consider who exactly will be attending – and who it is they are now offending.’

Fans on X were equally disappointed with the move, with one person writing: ‘Style Wednesday, who on earth gets paid to come up with this nonsense? Oh for the days when racing was felt worthy enough on its own.’

Another said: ‘Style Wednesday? Jesus wept. It’s Ladies Day,’ while a third added: ‘Game is in the gutter.’

A fourth insisted: ‘Style Wednesday, how absolutely embarrassing’, as a fifth individual wrote: ‘Styles Wednesday, is this a joke?’

‘End of an era as Ladies Day at Cheltenham Festival is no more. We now have Style Day on a Wednesday. I assume that is to be more inclusive,’ one person wrote, while another simply said: ‘Box-ticking.’

MailOnline has contacted The Jockey Club for comment.

Transitional dressing! Claudia Moberley, and her boyfriend Bristol City's Taylor Gardner-Hickman,  popped her coat on over her head to walk through

Transitional dressing! Claudia Moberley, and her boyfriend Bristol City’s Taylor Gardner-Hickman,  popped her coat on over her head to walk through 

Mr Gardner-Hickman appeared to carry his girlfriend's Louis Vuitton bag while she kept her hair dry

Mr Gardner-Hickman appeared to carry his girlfriend’s Louis Vuitton bag while she kept her hair dry

The racegoer attempted  to shield themselves from the rain on the first day

The racegoer attempted  to shield themselves from the rain on the first day 

True blue! Another reveller looked chic in a chequered coat with boots

True blue! Another reveller looked chic in a chequered coat with boots

Coordination queens! Two revellers marched one another in beige and neutrals

Coordination queens! Two revellers marched one another in beige and neutrals 

Crowds began to gather early to make the most of the action

Crowds began to gather early to make the most of the action

Fluffy hats were the look du jour among many revellers

Fluffy hats were the look du jour among many revellers

Purple rain! Another reveller opted for a bright hat and headpiece

Purple rain! Another reveller opted for a bright hat and headpiece

Gorgeous in green! Another broke the cardinal style rule of mixing blue and green to her advantage

Gorgeous in green! Another broke the cardinal style rule of mixing blue and green to her advantage

Hold onto your hats! This stylish racegoer looked sleek in a brown and white ensemble

Hold onto your hats! This stylish racegoer looked sleek in a brown and white ensemble

Orange you glad to see me! In a break from the crowd, this reveller opted for bright colours

Orange you glad to see me! In a break from the crowd, this reveller opted for bright colours

Stylish but sensible! These two appeared to wrap up warm and weather approriate

Stylish but sensible! These two appeared to wrap up warm and weather approriate 

Sensible style! One reveller opted for a plastic sheet to keep herself warm

Sensible style! One reveller opted for a plastic sheet to keep herself warm

Sensible style! One reveller opted for a plastic sheet to keep herself warm

Tomorrow’s Style Wednesday has been billed as ‘fast horses, slow fashion. The style is timeless and the glamour matches the glory,’ on the Jockey Club’s website.

Explaining the Slow Fashion awards, it adds that the event will ‘celebrate vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces that can be passed down through generations. 

‘We encourage all racegoers to showcase their unique and personal style, and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends, family, and on social media.

‘The awards are open to both men and women, and we can’t wait to see the incredible fashion on display!’

Last year, the Cheltenham Festival scrapped its strict dress code for the first time in its 200 year history as the Jockey Club released new guidance for its racecourses.

Racegoer attempts to shield themselves from the rain

Racegoer attempts to shield themselves from the rain

Warm and comfy! This racegoer looked sensible in a fluffy hat and scarf

Warm and comfy! This racegoer looked sensible in a fluffy hat and scarf

I moustache you a question! One gent showed off his impressive facial hair at the event

I moustache you a question! One gent showed off his impressive facial hair at the event

Zara and Mike Tindall proved they were made of tough stuff as they braved the rain

Zara and Mike Tindall proved they were made of tough stuff as they braved the rain

The historic society event, which dates back to the early 19th century, unveiled a new ‘inclusive’ dress code, which organisers hope will make spectators feel ‘confident and at-ease’ for their visit.

Already much more relaxed than its racing peer Royal Ascot, Cheltenham organisers are hoping to encourage a younger crowd to the society event, with jeans and trainers 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 – are being dropped in a bid to make horseracing more ‘accessible and inclusive’, the Jockey Club said in an announcement. 

The only exceptions to the new policy at any of the 342 fixtures staged by The Jockey Club is offensive fancy dress or offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts. 

Traditional morning dress or formal day wear is also still required in the Queen Elizabeth II Stand on Derby Day.

The perfectly curated outfits were challenged by the windy day

The perfectly curated outfits were challenged by the windy day 

DIY umbrella! One guest appeared to use her programme as an umbrella to shelter herself

DIY umbrella! One guest appeared to use her programme as an umbrella to shelter herself

Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive at The Jockey Club, said: ‘Horseracing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds and it’s really important to us to be accessible and inclusive.

‘We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.

‘For those who visit our venues, a day at the races is all about spending quality leisure time with friends and family and we believe people enjoy themselves best when they feel relaxed. A major part of that is wearing clothing which you are comfortable in.

‘While The Jockey Club has a rich heritage and history it is also a forward-thinking organisation which places a great emphasis on diversity and inclusion and always seeks to reflect modern trends.

Umbrellas up! One reveller carried a stylish red and green umbreela

Umbrellas up! One reveller carried a stylish red and green umbreela

Soggy but fun! Others braved the bad weather for the day out

Soggy but fun! Others braved the bad weather for the day out

‘So, when we reviewed this area of the raceday experience, it has been clear to us that enforcing a dress code seems rather outdated in the 21st Century in the eyes of many of our racegoers.

‘Of course that doesn’t mean we are discouraging people from dressing up for a day at the races if they want to. 

‘This is about giving people a choice and the opportunity to come racing dressed however they feel most comfortable and confident, while also bearing in mind the challenges regularly presented by the British weather.

In the past, entry into some enclosures has required the wearing of a jacket and tie while sporting trainers has also been frowned upon.

Truesdale added that the new rules should remove any ‘ambiguity or uncertainty’ about how people had to dress at the track.



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