The Cheltenham Festival reinstates Ladies’ Day for its second day in 2026, marking the first return of the traditional title in seven years. Racegoers descend on Prestbury Park for the pinnacle of the National Hunt season, where top-tier races and reduced drinks prices enhance the excitement.

Reversal of Recent Rebrands

Day two has carried the Ladies’ Day name for decades, but changes followed the event’s expansion to four days in 2005. Organizers assigned unique themes to each day, shifting to Festival Wednesday in 2020. More recently, Style Wednesday debuted in 2024 and continued into 2025, featuring a Slow Fashion competition emphasizing pre-loved attire.

Efforts to avoid gender-specific branding led to the title’s removal seven years ago, though events like the Best Dressed competition persisted. Public feedback prompted The Jockey Club to reverse course for 2026.

Enhanced Features for Ladies’ Day

The revived Ladies’ Day includes the returning Best Dressed competition, a pre-racing panel discussion, and live music. The first 200 women entering the Centaur events space receive a complimentary welcome spritz.

Rachael Blackmore Takes Ambassador Role

Rachael Blackmore, the trailblazing jockey who became the first woman to win both the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup, retired in May 2025. She now serves as Head of Ladies’ Day in an ambassadorial capacity.

Blackmore shared: “It is going to be a very different experience going racing and not heading for the weighing room. But I’m looking forward to seeing what racedays are like from the other side of the rails and working with the team at Cheltenham. I’m interested in meeting racegoers to get a proper understanding of why they attend but also what some of the blockers and barriers might be that are stopping their friends and peers from coming.”

“Horse racing is an amazing sport and a day at the races provides so much opportunity for people to socialise with friends and meet new people. I’m excited to get involved and see what can be done to engage more women and show them what makes a day at the races such a special and unforgettable experience.”