Bottoms up! Dreary weather no match for Epsom's winning women on Ladies Day as racegoers celebrate their winnings in style

Daily Mail​

06-06-2025

Glamorous racegoers descended on Surrey for Epsom Ladies' Day - and they certainly didn't disappoint.
Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of two-day festival, which includes the Coronation Day and the Oaks.
As the races began and the sun came out, revellers wasted no time in getting the booze out - and getting the party started by popping champagne and sipping on pints.
The ensembles on display at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Derby Festival were as daring as ever, with low-scooped corset style tops on display alongside daring thigh splits.
Others dressed for the occasion with bright and vibrant fascinators, oozing glitz in a bid to be crowned best dressed.
Friday's events commenced at 1.30pm, with the Betfred Oaks at 4pm.
The final sprint took place just after 5pm - with Marvin Humes providing DJ entertainment for revellers for the rest of the evening.
Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks. This highly-anticipated race day is also a chance for racegoers to showcase their style, with colourful dresses, wide-brimmed hats and fancy 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.
However, the Derby has been issued with a yellow weather warning, with the Met Office predicting thunderstorms and hail could hit the track.
Racegoers show the anticipation on their faces as the race gets underway
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, finish in 11th place.
Others opted for a more traditional style, creating a bright display
Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of the weekend
The hats were as vibrant as ever, as one racegoer opted for bright shades of pink
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
Newlywed Georgia Toffolo was dressed to the nines in a brown spotty blouse and elegant white skirt
Among the celebrity arrivals were Gabby and Kenny Logan
Revellers changed into their finery, carrying flat shoes for the partying ahead
Racegoers caught the giggles as they posed for photographs
Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks
Attendees glammed up with Gucci accessorises and gold jewellery
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.'