The July Festival at Newmarket may not have the same status as events like Royal Ascot or the Guineas Festival, but there is no denying that this summer series of races in Suffolk has its own unique appeal. With three days of top-quality action, featuring some of Britain’s best trainers and jockeys, it’s no wonder fans flock to Newmarket every July.
Indeed, Ladies Day, which traditionally kicks off the festival, is arguably the highlight of the event. As a chance to dress up and enjoy a glass of champagne or two, all while enjoying some barnstorming flat racing, it’s no surprise that Ladies Day attracts big crowds.
With the 2022 Newmarket July Festival having come and gone, let’s take a closer look at what makes Ladies Day such a special occasion.
History
If there’s one thing the July Festival has going for it, it’s the history. Held at the older July Course at Newmarket, where the grandstand is more rustic than the more modern Rowley Mile Course, there is a proper feeling of country-style racing at the July Festival.
This sense of historic significance is amplified on Ladies Day, when the extravagant dresses and suits of those in attendance hark back to a time when a trip to the races was an occasion to really dress up for.
Style
For many, the appeal of Ladies Day is the fashion. Any chance to pick out a bold dress or suit is something that people will look forward to, and Ladies Day at the July Festival brings together thousands of keen fashionistas, all trying to get their hands on the various ‘best-dressed’ prizes that are on offer throughout the day.
To walk through the concourses at Newmarket on Ladies Day is to behold a sea of beautiful dresses, colourful fascinators, and suave men’s suits. Add in a plentiful supply of champagne, and you can understand why some people attend Ladies Day for the style aesthetics alone.
Atmosphere
The nature of the July Course at Newmarket makes it conducive to a thrilling atmosphere. The course slopes downhill to begin with before rising uphill to the finish line, meaning you can watch the horses thundering down the track before ascending towards the finish.
There’s nothing like the roar when the pack comes charging up the home straight, and when the favourite gets the job done and delivers on their horse racing odds, the noise rings out deafeningly throughout the course.
Quality
The sheer quality of the racing on show is also a significant reason why horse racing fans flock to Newmarket for the July Festival. With several Group 2 races to be enjoyed, there’s no shortage of action to sink your teeth into.
The highlight of the day is the Princess of Wales’s Stakes, run over one mile and four furlongs. This year it was Yibir, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, who won the feature race on Ladies Day, to the delight of all those who had backed him.