Ladies Day at Nottingham Racecourse: A Day of Elegance & Excitement

Ladies Day returned to Nottingham on Saturday, 11th May 2024, hosted at the beautiful Nottingham Racecourse in Colwick. The day was set to be one of fun and festivity, and we were fortunate to be blessed with spectacular weather, the sun beaming down on us. This annual event is a celebration of style and sports, drawing thousands of attendees who spend weeks, if not months, planning their outfits with the sole objective of dressing to impress.

Arriving early with my lovely colleague Anna, we were warmly greeted by Lily and Kimberley from the Nottingham Racecourse team. We were lucky enough to be let into the racecourse early and were guided by Lily to our reserved table in the stunning Sherwood Restaurant, where we enjoyed an incredible ‘Finish Line’ view! Lily provided us with a comprehensive overview of the day ahead before we ventured down to the main courtyard. There, Anna and I soaked in the 24-degree summer sunshine trackside, capturing some photos of the grounds before it got busy, and awaited the arrival of our other colleagues who would be presenting the style awards.

As our team gathered, we explored the stunning grounds, taking a group photo in front of the Style Awards 2024 photo wall. The Style Awards are a highlight of Ladies Day, where the best-dressed attendees are celebrated for their efforts with grand prizes.

We then embraced our hospitality package in the restaurant before the first race at 1.45 pm, enjoying a glass of prosecco together while discussing how truly picturesque Nottingham Racecourse is. Settled before the races, we were visited by a member of the racecourse team who offered us a chance to participate in the lucky dip bets. We all decided to take part, hoping for a win!

The waitress arrived with a smile to take our order for the three-course à la carte meal, and with such a generous selection ranging from vegetarian to non-vegetarian options, it was extremely difficult to make a decision! To start, I chose the sensational Coronation Chicken Terrine, accompanied by a mango and mint salsa, curried mayonnaise, apricot chutney gel, and toasted pitta. For the main course, I opted for the refreshing Pan-Fried Chalk Stream Trout, paired with a chorizo, pea, and chive potato cake, baby leek, tender stem broccoli, and Choron sauce. For dessert, I enjoyed a mouth-watering Chocolate Fondant with chocolate and blood orange ice cream, burnt orange gel, and honeycomb. Each dish was unique, beautifully presented, and equally divine.

After indulging in our meal, we enjoyed the first race, watching from our window in the restaurant, excited to see who at our table would win their first bet! One of our table was fortunate to win on the first race, rewarded with £60! My luck did finally arrive in a later race, but only to receive back the amount I placed. Better luck next time—the perils of betting were not lost on me!

Nottingham Racecourse and Visit Nottinghamshire had partnered on The Style Awards 2024, requiring my colleague and her two guests to help pick out the three best-dressed candidates for the ceremony. They disappeared to deliberate over hundreds of entries. Nottinghamshire—hats off to you, you most certainly know how to dress with style!

My colleague Anna and I took the time to wander around the racecourse, embracing the atmosphere of the day and capturing the action of the second and third races. Standing trackside, the thunderous rumble of hooves on grass could be felt in our bones as the horses passed us—a truly exhilarating sight and feeling.

After the races, The Style Awards presentation was next on the agenda. The candidates were called to the stage and the owner of Nottingham Racecourse announced the winners of this prestigious event. I commend the winning candidates; they were dressed truly exceptionally.

Ladies Day was a sell-out event at Nottingham Racecourse, and we expect Ladies Day to become even more popular! We recommend booking early when tickets are released to avoid disappointment! All of us in the Visit Nottinghamshire team had an amazing, unforgettable experience, and we can’t express our gratitude enough to Nottingham Racecourse for hosting us.

While fashion is the focus, the heart of Ladies Day is the horse racing. The racecourse is well-known for its well-maintained tracks and attracting thoroughbreds. For those new to racing, Ladies Day is a great introduction to ease yourself into the atmosphere and is well priced with tickets starting at just £19! It provides a friendly ambience, a fully disabled accessible restaurant, and the opportunity to have a flutter with a few bets (you must be 18+ to participate in the betting). Whether you have a passion for fashion, are a racing fan, or are simply looking to enjoy yourself and make some incredible memories, this event offers something for everyone.
 

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Blog by Saria Rhodes - Business Development Executive at Visit Nottinghamshire