Racegoers dressed to impress at Warwick Racecourse’s popular Ladies Night fixture with bold and bright colours proving a hit with judges.
Ladies Night marked the second raceday in Warwick’s Qatar Airways May Racing Carnival and is Warwick’s most glamourous fixture.
The twilight event has fast become a social highlight in the region’s social calendar and saw ladies don their best hats and most dazzling outfits to win the ‘Fashions-On-The-Field’ contest.
The competition was sponsored by Qatar Airways and hosted by actor and television presenter Karl Ude-Martinez, who is from Warwick and has presented on Sky Sport and Channel 5.
Sarah Horne, owner of Sarah Horne Flowers, Chris Best, business development manager and interim sales and marketing manager at Ardencote Manor Hotel made up the judging panel on the evening.
Monica Sturley was crowned ‘Fashions-On-The-Field’ Grand Champion, winning two economy class return flights from Birmingham to Doha, an Audi TT for the weekend from Listers Audi, spa days at Ardencote Manor Hotel and flowers from Sarah Horne.
Johanna Culligan was named as runner-up, while third place went to Rachel Leahy.
Monica, who lives in Essex but comes from Warwickshire, said: “We were celebrating my nephew’s birthday during the day and decided to go to the races on the evening.
“When we arrived we saw the competition and thought it would be really fun and decided to get involved.
“I made the effort in dressing for a day for the races but hadn’t prepared necessarily for the competition so it was a great surprise to win.
“It was amazing to win and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face the day after, especially with winning the trip to Doha. I have never won anything in my life but now I can’t say that anymore.”
The winner of the ‘Best Hat’ competition was Gill Carpenter – winning a glamping experience at Warwick Castle and taking home a bottle of Ridgeview Sparkling Wine - with Debbie Grogan and Jayne Alison in second and third place respectively.
A bumper crowd of 4,000 racegoers enjoyed Ladies Night at the racecourse, which featured a packed schedule of racing, with large sections of the crowd staying after the conclusion of racing to watch a performance from a leading Robbie Williams tribute act.
Andre Klein, general manager of Warwick Racecourse, said: “There were some fantastic outfits on display at this year’s Ladies Night, bringing together bright colour and glamorous style, to make for a wonderful competition this year.
“It was great to have Karl with us to host the Fashions-On-The-Field competition, he is a fantastic host and brings real enthusiasm to the whole event.
“We’d like to thank everyone who came along to join us for what was a top evening of racing here at Warwick Racecourse and congratulations to all the winners on the night.”
To find out more about Warwick Racecourse and upcoming racedays go to www.warwickracecourse.co.uk
