The official return of Ladies Day to the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire on 11 March 2026 will feature retired champion jockey Rachael Blackmore as the leader of the event. Organisers have introduced the role to help encourage more women to attend the races during the four-day meeting.
The day will include a panel discussion at The Centaur building with Blackmore and fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper, hosted by Rosie Tapner. Visitors can also watch live music and DJ sets from the group Belfast Brunch and enter a best-dressed competition with prizes worth over £10,000.
According to The Jockey Club, the move brings back the traditional Ladies Day name for the first time since 2019 to replace the previous title of Style Wednesday. The change is part of a plan to increase female attendance, which currently makes up about one quarter of the crowd at the racecourse.
The week is expected to provide a major boost for local shops, hair salons, and restaurants, with the event previously estimated to be worth £274 million to the regional economy. To help manage the crowds, Cheltenham Borough Council is planning extra safety measures including an increased police presence and a campaign to stop anti-social behaviour.
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