Racing Centre

NEWMARKET'S July Course came alive on Wednesday 11^th July – Friday 13^th July with its summer premier event, The Ritz Club July Festival featuring Classic FM Day, Lanson Ladies’ Day and Darley July Cup Day.

Classic FM Day saw both the opening day of the festival and the official opening of the newly redeveloped July Course. Newmarket legends, Frankie Dettori and Lester Piggott, fulfilled the ribbon cutting honours in front of an excellent opening day crowd.

A fabulous race programme was complemented by classical music interludes throughout the afternoon and presentation of the Most Stylish Accessories Award.

Judged by Classical star Gardar Thor Cortes and Meghan Birnie, daughter of Michael Birnie, Michael Birnie Jewellers of Bury St Edmonds. 10 finalists’s where chosen and the winner received a £500 voucher to spend in the Michael Birnie store in Bury St Edmunds, winner is pictured below.

Fashion was well and truly to the fore on Lanson Ladies’ Day on Thursday which saw the July Course achieve a record Ladies’ Day crowd. High quality racing filled the card and there were fabulous prizes on offer for the winner of Lanson’s Best Dressed Lady. Judged by Catherine Dettori and Paul Beavis of Ladies’ Day sponsor’s Lanson, 10 finalists were chosen to compete for the prestigious title.

In a beautiful green dress with co-ordinated shoes, jewellery and hat, Suzy Robertson was presented with her first place prize by Catherine Dettori which included a year’s supply of Lanson Champagne, a year’s supply of Pantene Shampoo and a stunning hat courtesy of Newmarket Hat Hire.

Suzy is pictured below with judge, Catherine Dettori.

Darley July Cup Day drew the festival to a fantastic close Sakhee’s Secret battled against a top class field to triumph in the Darley July Cup and claim the champion sprinter’s crown. Off the track it was the turn of the couples as they battled to be named Best Dressed Couple judged by Grand National Legend and Newmarket Resident Bob Champion and Con Ring and Edward Bracken of The Gore Hotel in London.

5 finalist couples were chosen with Antony Absalam and Penny Tilmouth triumphing in stylish simplicity and receiving a prize of dinner for two at The Ritz Club London, (pictured below with guest judge Bob Champion.) Second placed Oliver Capek and Sarah King received a weekend break at The Gore Hotel, London and third placed Lisa Deyer and Matthew Smith won a Porsche Boxter for a weekend

All pictures by Steve Cargill