On your marks, get set and get styled for Ladies Day at the races
And they’re off! Discover the history of Ladies Day and Fakenham Racecourse, combining fabulous fashion and exciting entertainment
A sport truly intrinsic to the atypical Norfolk countryside and equine lifestyle, racing at Fakenham draws thousands of people to witness the sight of horses thundering down the home straight. The roar of the crowds, popping of corks and convivial conversation creates an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, as well as providing a chance for attendees to show off their style at its most exuberant.
The first race took place at Fakenham on Easter Monday in 1905. The event was organised by the West Norfolk Racing Club, who had run race meetings at East Winch, near King’s Lynn since 1884. Slow draining soil had caused ‘heavy going’ at the East Winch site and the ‘lighter’ soil at Fakenham was thought to be more suitable for racing. The popular Easter Monday meeting was to continue as an established event each successive year, apart from those cancelled due to war.
Over the years Fakenham racecourse grew. 1926 saw the addition of a hurdle race alongside the established steeplechase and in 1947 another annual date was allocated for racing. In 1953 the parade paddock was enlarged, and the original Grandstand was built. Finally, in 1965, Fakenham Racecourse Ltd was formed to create the official company body which still governs the site today and enabled the provision of much needed funding.
In 2012 Ladies Day came to Fakenham, as David Hunter, Chief Executive & Clerk of the Course, explains. “Fakenham Racecourse hosted its first Ladies Race Day in May 2012 when the prominence of Ladies Race Days had spread across all British racecourses and Fakenham saw a gap in the calendar for such an event,” he says. “It was a bold move to put a Ladies Day on a Sunday as almost all other courses hold them on a Friday, Saturday or a summer evening. Would it capture the imagination, would a Sunday work with a working Monday following and would the day appeal to existing racegoers? The answer is a very resounding yes. From day one it was a success and over the last ten years the day has gathered pace and become a firm fixture in Norfolk’s social and sporting calendar.”
It seemed that the ladies of Norfolk had a strong appetite for racing and the accompanying elegant fashion. “The meeting is now as well attended as Fakenham’s New Year’s Day and Easter Monday race events and is set to grow over the next few years, forming part of the backbone of Fakenham’s race programme,” David continues. “For the past six years the race day has had succour from a mutually beneficial sponsored agreement with Jarrold Department Store, which has promoted the meeting to new racegoers.”
The fashion of Ladies Day can trace its roots back to 1823, when a poem penned for Ascot describes ‘Ladies Day… when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine.’ Women had always been welcome to attend racing, however with no specific dress code recognised they had tended to attire themselves according to their means and social class. It was only after Queen Victoria took to sporting a headpiece that the wearing of fascinators and hats formed an essential part of the outfit.
As fashions changed ladies’ racing outfits followed, with the corseted long gowns of the Victorian era making way for the fluid designs of the Edwardians. Furs and costume suits were all the rage in the 1930s and 1940s, however slightly more relaxed attire started to appear from the 1960s onwards. The one thing which has always been unique to racing attire is a sense of formality. For the early to middle part of the 20th century most women dressed formally as a matter of course, however in later decades elegance made way for the comfort of leisurewear in everyday life. Now a day at the races offers a chance to create a formal and glamourous ensemble. Hats, however, have remained a fixture, becoming ever more ambitious in design.
Dressing to impress is thoroughly encouraged and many racegoers make a marked effort to show off the most eye-catching outfits they can put together, with the most fabulous recognised with a prize. “Ladies Day is steeped in glamour, fashion and excitement. It’s the day that brings the catwalk to the racecourse with colourfully coordinated outfits and dapper tailoring all topped off with fabulous hats.” explains Helga Clarke, from Jarrold Department Store.
“Each year we host competitions for the best-dressed person, best-dressed couple and best hat, giving attendees a chance to show off their own unique style and personality.”
Whatever the weather and whichever horse wins, Ladies Day will always entertain. Exquisite dresses in jewel-toned fabric paired with fabulous hats contrast with patterned and flowing gowns teamed with vertiginous heels, making the day a truly colourful compendium.
