Beverley Racecourse gets its glad rags on for most glamorous Ladies' Day yet

With the social event of the summer just days away, the team at Beverley Racecourse is preparing for its most glamorous Ladies’ Day yet.

Having teamed up with Flemingate, Beverley’s fast-growing retail and leisure destination, the hugely popular racecourse promises to deliver a superbly stylish experience this year.

Racegoers and socialites coming to the Westwood on Wednesday, August 16, will be greeted by three large inter-connected marquees, with a seated garden area, in the centre of the picturesque course.

The central marquee is the venue for the Most Stylish contest which, in a change from previous years, is open to everyone to enter. Compered by Capital FM presenter JoJo, the glamorous competition will be judged by representatives from Flemingate stores, Debenhams, Outfit and VERB, together with a fashion journalist.

The fantastic prizes include a seven-night holiday for two to the Costa Blanca, courtesy of Humberside Airport, for the Most Stylish Lady, and a spectacular Longines Conquest watch donated by Flemingate-based jeweller Guest & Philips for the Most Stylish Man. The Most Stylish Lady will also receive a summer outfit, a Tripp Luggage suitcase, a makeover from a cosmetic house of her choice and a beauty hamper, all generously provided by Flemingate’s flagship store, Debenhams.

There is also the Retreat pamper marquee, presented in partnership with Debenhams and new Flemingate outlet Xandria’s Hair, where racegoers can enjoy some relaxation and pampering services, such as hair and make-up touch-ups. It’s the ideal place for ladies to take the weight off their high heels and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the main event.

The third marquee is home to the Secret Garden gin bar, provided by North Yorkshire-based Sloemotion, a new partner to the racecourse. Sloemotion offers natural flavour combinations for gin based on ingredients foraged from hedgerows and woodland edges, such as sloe berries, damsons and cherries. In keeping with its botanical theme, the Secret Garden marquee will be decorated by Bishop Burton-based artisan florist Violet and Willow, using a mix of seasonal quintessentially British flowers.

Sally Iggulden, Chief Executive at Beverley Racecourse, said: “We’re very excited about our first Ladies’ Day in partnership with Flemingate. We’ve made some changes to the format this year which we believe will prove very popular with our racegoers.

“We’ve changed the criteria of the Most Stylish contest so this year it’s open to everyone to nominate themselves or be put forward by others. We’ve also added three themed marquees which will create a fabulous and very glamorous centrepiece for the day.

“To top it all off, the prizes provided by our wonderful partners are absolutely fantastic. Ladies’ Day is always Beverley’s social highlight of the summer and, with Flemingate on board and these changes to the format, the day promises to be even more dazzling.”

Graham Tait, Flemingate Centre Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting Ladies’ Day for the next three years. Ladies’ Day is economically important to the town as a whole as well as being an exciting and enjoyable day out.

“The prizes this year are fantastic and I’m certain racegoers will enjoy the whole experience. We’ve just got our fingers crossed for the sunshine now!”

As in previous years, Driffield-based Blue Keld will be handing out free bottles of its natural mineral water to keep racegoers hydrated through the day. Free sun cream is also available from dispensers around the course.

Adding to the exciting atmosphere of Flemingate Ladies’ Day is glamourous trio The Lovettes, who will get racegoers in the groove with their lively retro hits from the 50s and 60s.

Tickets for Flemingate Ladies’ Day are selling fast, with the Premier Enclosure already sold out, so racegoers are urged not to lose out by booking in advance, either online at www.beverley-racecourse.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 01482 867488.

Gates open at 11.30am. The first race is at 2.10pm and last race currently at 5.15pm.