Cheltenham Festival 2024 revellers all smiles at rainy day one of racing, with Zara Tindall leading the fashion pack

9 months ago 108

EYE-catching hats, thrilling horse races and celeb sightings – it can only mean one thing – the Cheltenham Festival is back.

Dressed to the nines, revellers have flocked to the famous Gloucestershire racecourse for the first day of the action.

Many have opted for fancy dresses despite the lack of sunshine[/caption]

This guest raised the fashion stakes with this three-piece tweed suit[/caption]

Some racing fans have braved mini dresses despite the lack of sun[/caption]

Glam guests appeared in high spirits as they arrived at the rainy racecourse[/caption]

One guest braved bare shoulders as she arrived[/caption]

Racegoers have been enjoying champagne as they watch the racing[/caption]

Stylish hats and snug scarves are staples for many guests at the 2024 festival[/caption]

Revellers are battling the winds and the rain at the famous racing meet[/caption]

Some guests have been creative in their outfit choices, given the soggy weather[/caption]

Guests seemed excited for the return of the popular racing event[/caption]

A well-dressed couple arrived hand-in-hand for their day of horse racing[/caption]

This showstopping headpiece was unmissable at the racecourse[/caption]

Mini skirts and knee-high boots were a firm favourite with revellers[/caption]

Stylish pals Chelsey Wilkins and Mia Smith coordinated their looks[/caption]

One guest stunned in a black ensemble[/caption]

Not put off by the typical British drizzle, many glamorous women have donned their fanciest frocks and braved heels for the occasion.

Royalty has arrived at the event, with Zara and Mike Tindall looking fashionable in matching navy outfits.

Zara channelled Fairfax & Favor, as she looked chic in their Frances Trench, The Chiswick Ankle Boot and the Mini Loxley Handbag.

Racegoers certainly have not held back with their headwear, with many showcasing eye-popping fascinators and bold hats.

Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham racecourse has hosted racing since 1815 and is one of the highlights in the racing calendar.

This year, 250,000 revellers are expected to attend the Cheltenham Festival, which is running for four days until Friday, March 15.

The main events are the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, the Champion Chase on Wednesday, Thursday’s Stayers’ Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, all run at 3.30pm.

For more than 200 years, punters have been instructed to wear traditional formal dress, with elaborate get-ups a common sight at racetracks like Cheltenham.

However, in 2023, The Jockey Club, which runs 15 racecourses including Cheltenham, relaxed the rules and changed the policy to make racing more “accessible and inclusive”.

The dress code for Cheltenham Festival is now whatever makes people feel “comfortable and confident”, the Jockey Club has said.

The previous dress code advised men to wear suits and women to wear cocktail dresses.

Now, spectators will be allowed to wear whatever they like at the event, including jeans, trainers and even tracksuits.

However, offensive fancy dress, offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts are still banned.

While spectators won’t be discouraged from dressing smartly if they want to, they will no longer be restricted from certain enclosures based on what they’re wearing.

The Jockey Club has said the old dress code had been “rather outdated in the 21st Century”, and wants spectators to be comfortable in the changeable British weather.