It was a sunny Sunday as thousands of dressed-up race-goers flocked to Southwell Racecourse for a day of thrills and spills at the Advertiser Ladies Day.
The action kicked off at 11am when gates opened and the big-screens lit up with live coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain.
Lawn furniture was set up beside the grandstand and glamorous attendees settled in with jugs of Pimm’s, champagne, picnics and lots of family and friends.
From left: Trish Dowd, Jayne Cooke, Layla Churcher, Carol Ballantyne, Emma Sadler of Sleaford usually go to York races, but were visiting Southwell for Ladies Day and to see Scott Mills. Jayne made her own hat, and Trish's.
The executive director of Southwell Racecourse, Mark Clayton, confirmed it was attended by 7,400 people.
Some were annual patrons of Ladies Day, while others were getting stuck in to their first experience of the racecourse.
Among the attendees were recipients of tickets from the Advertiser’s competition, Lorraine and Roxana Grattage, of Newark, who said they could hardly believe they’d won as they enjoyed a track-side picnic.
Advertiser competition winners, from left, Nicola Winn, Lorraine Grattage, and Roxana Grattage of Newark at Ladies Day.
They had attended Ladies Day regularly, but after a difficult year with family illness, didn’t think they would be able to afford it this year.
Lorraine said: “We’ve had a horrible time this year, we really needed this.”
While it wasn’t to be for the England Ladies, there were plenty of wins to celebrate in Southwell, with a seven-race card for lucky punters to take a chance on in the afternoon.
From left: Ann Musgrove, Leanne McCullagh, Lynne Tomlinson, Joan Taylor, June Best, Janet Stevenson, Helen Stevenson, Natalie Wileman and Sammie Raikes of Newark. The group of 'Pink Ladies' were ticking off a bucket list event for Helen's mum, who has cancer.From left: Britney Butler, Libby Percival, Grace Braddow, and Shannon Harrison of Mansfield were at the races for betting, drinks and dressing up.For (from left) Jayde Walker, Nadine Walker, Charlee Keetley, Kathryn Murphy and Sue Blockley of Nottingham, Ladies Day was an "excuse to get dressed up".From left: Josh Smith, Luis Wilkinson, Harry Griffin, and Dan Colledge of Rainworth were there for the beer, horses and betting.
The thunder of hooves and cheers from the watching crowds added to the atmosphere from 2.30pm, with plenty of bettors flocking to collect their winnings after each race.
In the midst of the racing action was the highly anticipated Style Awards, won by Lucy Davies, of Southwell, in a beautiful blue number.
From left: Jess Williams, Lauren Wheeldon, Lauren Jones, and Alice Millns of Mansfield are regulars at Ladies Day. They said: "It's a nice day out to get dressed up and have some prosecco."It was a family day out for Paul Hazlehurst, Tilly Clarke, Harriet Clarke, Kerry Clarke, and Paul Clarke of Gamston at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.Soaking in the sun were, from left, Sam Rigley, Megan Morgan, Sam Davies, Charlotte Strazds, Tyler Morgan, and Ryan Richardson of Mansfield.Enjoying a drink in the sun were Jordan Davidson and Jess Corden of Rainworth, who were taking the opportunity to get dressed up with their friends.Attendees got dressed up for their trip to the races.From left: Mark Gillborn, Sally Gillborn MBE, Debbie Mills, Bronwyn Tyler, Wayne Tyler, Wendy Broughton, and James Broughton were enjoying the "sunshine and ambience" at the races.From left: Darren Sheppard, Mick Wharton, Carl Taylor, Tony Wilson, Ben Morley, Mark Carrington, Dominic Taylor, and Connor Bower of Sutton in Ashfield were "enjoying the craic" with friends and family at Southwell Racecourse.The horses attracted a good crowd at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.Crowds enjoyed relaxing in the warm weather at Ladies Day.The roaming band serenade the crowds at Ladies Day.The racing action was a crowd pleaser, with many lucky bettors counting their winnings.Attendees said they were "really enjoying" the races.Race-goers cheer from the grandstand as they watch the horses thunder past.Southwell Racecourse Ladies Day Style Awards winner Lucy Davies of Southwell.There was plenty of glamour at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.From left: Gay Hatton, Karen Thompson, Sue Hesketh, Karen Frisby and Corinne Richardson of Grantham were at Ladies Day for "a lovely girls day out".It was a chance to cheers with friends at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.From left: Stacey Burman, Jonathan Baker, and Katie Page were enjoying some work bonding at Ladies Day.Jacob Clarke and partner Kaede Ikemoto, of Gamston, were enjoying a family day out at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.There was picnics and Pimm's galore as race-goers relaxed at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.Chris and Tracie Thorne of Nottingham are Ladies Day regulars, and said they always have a great time.From left: Kai Wilson, Kyle Bacon, Finley Batty, Luke Bacon, and Jack Kemp of Mansfield enjoying a drink at Ladies Day.Race-goers turned out in style for Ladies Day.Ladies were looking glamorous at the races.Punter enjoy a pint at Ladies Day.There were big smiles as the crowds enjoyed Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.Crowds lined the fence as the racing got underway.Ladies Day Style Awards finalists at Southwell Racecourse.The afternoon entertainment at Ladies Day saw horses take to the all-weather track for an exciting seven-race card.Men were also dressed to impress at the races.Horses and jockeys head to the track at Ladies Day.DJ Scott Mills entertaining the crowds after the races.A crowd gathered to party as DJ Scott Mills took to the stage at Ladies Day.DJ Scott Mills took to the decks at Southwell Racecourse Ladies Day.From left: Chris Booth and Olivia Booth of East Bridgford, and Sam Walters of Newark were ready to "lose some money" on the horses at at Ladies Day.Enjoying their first trip to the races were Rachel Walker and Jackie Goddard of East Markham.On a girls' day out were Sam Arme of Melton, Natasha Cottingham of Newark, and Karen Oliver of Grantham.Ladies Day regulars Amy Purdy, Becky Presley, and Rachel Burrows.From left: sisters-in-law Emma Dickenson and Sarah Cox, and mum Wendy Morris of Mansfield, were enjoying a family day out at Ladies Day.A bride-to-be and her hen party from Fiskerton enjoy Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.It was a family day out in the sun for Kim and Craig Best of Kirkby, with Layla Best, 8, at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.Friends Jenny Jefferys and Pat Smith regularly attend Ladies Day, and arrived early to watch the football.A seven-race card provided the afternoon entertainment at Ladies Day.A group look pretty in pink as they enjoy a picnic at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.A patriotic picnic at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.Crowds gather along the track to watch the races at Ladies Day.Race-goers in prime position to watch the racing action.Winner of the first race, sponsored by the Advertiser, was Deputise, pictured cooling off after the winning run.Style Awards winners, from left, Abbie Carruthers of Cumbria (2nd), Georgina Burton of Chesterfield (3rd), and first place winner Lucy Davies of Southwell.Crowds follow the racing action at Southwell Racecourse.Friends enjoy their day at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.DJ Scott Mills entertained the crowds after the races at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.Crowds enjoy their day out at Ladies Day.A glamorous pair pose for a photo at Ladies Day.DJ Scott Mills' appearance was met with a cheer from gathered crowds.Seven flat races were run in the afternoon.Horses and jockeys leave the track at Southwell Racecourse.Ladies Day crowds watch the racing at Southwell Racecourse.Crowds lined the fence as horses galloped past at Southwell Racecourse.
After the racing there was plenty more to enjoy as DJ Scott Mills took to the stage in the evening to play a set of disco classics and on-trend pop music, getting the crowd on their feet — and even up on shoulders — for a party.
