ONE of the big events on Bath’s social calendar – Ladies Day at Bath Racecourse – is little more than a week away. More than 6,000 racegoers will head to Lansdown on Saturday, June 15, drawn by the racing, fashion, music, food and the popular Style Competition, where the most stylish racegoer on the day will win a huge prize worth more than £1,500.
But unlike some Ladies Days, where the average price of an outfit can push four figures, we teamed up with Cancer Research UK to show how ladies heading to Bath Racecourse next Saturday can look fabulous without spending a fortune.
We set Tina Angell – who is a cancer survivor, Cancer Research UK volunteer, and nurse in the radiology department at the RUH in Bath – a challenge of finding a ‘Winning Chic’ outfit for Ladies Day for a budget of £40.
She headed to the Cancer Research UK store in Westgate Street, Bath, armed with her budget for the day – and we filmed her visit and turned it into this short video - view it here!
Tina said: “I’ve been volunteering with Cancer Research UK for 10 or 11 years now. I started volunteering with them after having cancer myself when I was 24. I believe that I wouldn’t have survived my cancer if it hadn’t been for the research that they do. I was 24, I had a two-year-old son, [it came] completely out of the blue – and the treatment and care I received were amazing. That treatment wouldn’t have been available without the research.”
On the challenge of finding a race-day outfit for £40, Tina said: “Not everyone can go out and spend £1,000 on an outfit but [you] can still go to Ladies’ Day looking gorgeous.”
Cancer Research UK is the official charity partner of The Silk Series – a series of races exclusively featuring female jockeys at Ladies’ Days across the country. The next event in The Silk Series will see some of the country’s top women jockeys go head-to-head at Bath Racecourse on Ladies Day next Saturday.
Jo Hall, Executive Director of Bath Racecourse, said: “Ladies Day is my favourite fixture of the year. I just love seeing the variety of beautiful outfits and individual style on show; I always feel proud of the effort our customers go to to ensure they look fantastic. This year, I’d love to see eye-catching outfits, which still feel timeless, and always love a statement headpiece!
“I’ll also be making sure I’m cheering on competitors in the all-female jockey race. I’ve worked in horseracing for more than 10 years and I’ve seen a notable increase in the number of female jockeys now competing alongside their male counterparts. The Silks Series is an inspiring initiative to celebrate the achievements of female jockeys whilst supporting an excellent charity.”
As part of hosting The Silk Series, Bath Racecourse and ARC are excited to once again partner with Cancer Research UK to raise money for the charity’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. From the sale of each ticket sold for Bath Racecourse’s Ladies’ Day, £1 will be donated to the charity. Cancer Research UK will have a presence on the day with racegoers having the opportunity to engage with and support the charity. In the last two years, more than £100,000 has been raised for CRUK across The Silks Series.
Julie Byard, Director of Trading at Cancer Research UK, said: “Anyone who’s enjoyed a trip to the races knows how important it is to feel and look great, whatever your style, especially on Ladies’ Day. But if you’re on a budget or you’ve never been before, shopping the right outfit needn’t be intimidating.
“Much like independent boutiques, charity shops are great places to find unique looks and special pieces. At Cancer Research UK we trade to seasons, so many of our shops will have been keeping an eye out for occasion wear ahead of the race, wedding and summer party season. This means if you let the team know what you’re looking for, they might pop into the backroom and bring out the perfect outfit. Not only will you get your look for less but there’s the added benefit of funding a good cause at the same time!”
Advance tickets for the event start from £13 in the Centre Course picnic enclosure and £27 for general entry tickets into the Grandstand Enclosure. but there are a limited number of places remaining in the Vintage Afternoon Tea Hospitality package, which includes full ‘Bath Racecourse’ afternoon tea served in a vintage marquee.
Registration to enter the Ladies Day style competition is free for all racegoers who simply attend a special area on the day to have their picture taken. The shortlist of eight best outfits will then be invited to Parade Ring for the final judging panel to select the winning outfit.
For further information about Ladies Day and to book tickets please see
