It’s the perfect mix of haute couture fashion and first class racing at Thirsk this Saturday (September 9) when the annual Ladies Day takes centre-stage at the North Yorkshire track.
What is always one of the most popular days of the season at the course will feature a dazzling array of colour and elegance coupled with some outstanding seven-race action on the track featuring the EBF Handicap and the Calverts Carpets Hambleton Cup.
And it is not just the ladies who stand to win as Barkers of Northallerton are sponsoring both the Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gentleman competitions with £500 worth of fashion vouchers for each winner, £300 vouchers for the runners up and £200 for the third in each competition.
There is also a Best Hat competition, supported by Harrogate-based Jenny Roberts Original British Millinary, who are also sponsoring the opening race at 2.15pm.
For the Best Hat competition, there is a £350 voucher for a Bespoke Jenny Roberts hat to be won with a day’s millinery tuition at the Jenny Roberts’ studio in Harrogate for the runner-up and a hat hire voucher for the third.
The first, second and third in all three categories will also receive a bottle of champagne.
In addition, the best dressed lady will go through to represent Thirsk in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Best Dressed Lady final at Doncaster in October with the chance to win a luxury spa weekend at the Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel, Bawtry, a £500 fashion voucher for Yasmine of Bawtry and a vintage diamond ring courtesy of loveVintagediamonds.com.
On track, the EBF Handicap, run over a distance just short of a mile, should prove a competitive race, as should the Hambleton Cup over an extended 12 furlongs, won last year by Mick Easterby’s Tamayuz Magic is always hotly contested.
Entrance to the Premier Enclosure is £28 and £16 to go into the Paddock Enclosure when tickets are bought on the day, but there are significant reductions for pre-purchase which can be done online at www.thirskracecourse.net where there are details of all packages.
Children under 18 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult and there are play areas for the children. A big screen will be in operation to show all the action.
Car and coach parking is free, unless taking advantage of the Park and View Family Ticket.
The first race is at 2.15pm, but the gates are open from 11am