GB: In a significant break with tradition, the Jockey Club has announced that formal dress codes will no longer be in place at any of its 15 racecourses as part of a drive to make horse racing more “accessible and inclusive”.
Instead of restricting racegoers from watching the action in certain enclosures based on what they are wearing, British racing’s largest commercial organisation and employer is encouraging visitors to “dress as you feel most comfortable and confident”.
The change takes place with immediate effect and follows a review of dress codes and feedback from racegoers.
“Horse racing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds and it’s really important to us to be accessible and inclusive,” explained Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale.
“We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.”
With an annual turnover in excess of £200 million, the Jockey Club operates 15 racecourses including such major venues as Epsom, Newmarket, Aintree and Cheltenham.
Established in 1750 and for more than two centuries the sport's ruling body, the Jockey Club is governed by Royal Charter to act for the long-term benefit of British racing. Major racedays under their jurisdiction include the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Grand National meeting plus both the Derby and Guineas meetings. However, they do not run Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood or the York Ebor meeting.
Truesdale added: “For those who visit our venues, a day at the races is all about spending quality leisure time with friends and family and we believe people enjoy themselves best when they feel relaxed. A major part of that is wearing clothing which you are comfortable in.
“While The Jockey Club has a rich heritage and history it is also a forward-thinking organisation which places a great emphasis on diversity and inclusion and always seeks to reflect modern trends. So, when we reviewed this area of the raceday experience, it has been clear to us that enforcing a dress code seems rather outdated in the 21st Century in the eyes of many of our racegoers.
“Of course that doesn’t mean we are discouraging people from dressing up for a day at the races if they want to. This is about giving people a choice and the opportunity to come racing dressed however they feel most comfortable and confident, while also bearing in mind the challenges regularly presented by the British weather!”
Truesdale added that while The Jockey Club is making this change in 2023, there have already been a significant number of fixtures where dress codes have not been in place.
“It is a common misconception that a day at the races has always required you to dress in a certain way, regardless of the fixture,” he said. “In fact, even at really high-profile days like the Cheltenham Festival, that has simply not been the case and our only recommendation has been to dress appropriately for the weather.
“By taking the decision not to impose dress codes at any of our 15 racecourses we now hope to get rid of any ambiguity or uncertainty and simply let people know that whatever they feel comfortable wearing they’ll be welcome to join us on a raceday.
“For many, clothing is the ultimate expression of individuality and by removing the need to be dressed in a certain way we hope to really demonstrate how inclusive we believe our sport is, as well as being a fantastic and thrilling day out.”
The only exceptions to the new policy at any of the 342 fixtures staged by the Jockey Club is offensive fancy dress or offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts, while the Queen Elizabeth II Stand at Epsom will also continue to require either morning dress or formal daywear on Derby Day.
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