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Racegoers shelter beneath jackets as showers blight Ladies Day

Glamorous racegoers donned all their finery to descend on Epsom Racecourse this morning in celebration of Ladies Day – but were left attempting to protect their ensembles from the wind and rain.

Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks. 

This highly-anticipated race day is also a chance for racegoers to showcase their style, with colourful dresses, wide-brimmed hats and fancy fascinators. 

But the unpredictable British weather saw revellers sharing shawls and sheltering under jackets as rain fell at the racecourse this afternoon. 

Others were clutching onto their oversized fascinators and were concerned that they would blow away as the event was hit with high winds.  

Although the skies were grey and overcast in Surrey, that did not dampen the spirit of revellers who looked excited to watch a day of racing. 

Two racegoers looked less than satisfied with the British weather as rain starts to fall in Surrey

Two racegoers looked less than satisfied with the British weather as rain starts to fall in Surrey 

Revellers were getting out their umbrellas and huddling up in tiny shawls as they braved the weather

Revellers were getting out their umbrellas and huddling up in tiny shawls as they braved the weather 

One reveller used her fluffy cardigan to protect her spotty sage dress from getting drenched

One reveller used her fluffy cardigan to protect her spotty sage dress from getting drenched 

Glamorous racegoers donned all their finery to descend on Epson Racecourse this morning in celebration of Ladies Day today

Glamorous racegoers donned all their finery to descend on Epson Racecourse this morning in celebration of Ladies Day today

Ladies Day racegoers look in high spirits as they clink their glasses and prepare for a day of racing

Ladies Day racegoers look in high spirits as they clink their glasses and prepare for a day of racing 

Hold onto your hats! One reveller clutched onto her fascintator to ensure it did not blow away

Hold onto your hats! One reveller clutched onto her fascintator to ensure it did not blow away 

Racegoers scrubbed up for the event in floor-length dresses and chic trousersuits like this stylish white ensemble

Racegoers scrubbed up for the event in floor-length dresses and chic trousersuits like this stylish white ensemble 

Two racegoers look excited for the day ahead as they take selfies with their drinks

Two racegoers look excited for the day ahead as they take selfies with their drinks 

More prepared individuals looked comfortable under their large, sturdy umbrellas, whereas others were left using their clothing to keep dry. 

Ladies Day is the first day of The Betfred Derby Festival 2024, which will take place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June.

As the earliest attendees arrived, they were in an array of bright colours as well as chic neutral tones. 

Before midday, racegoers were snapped clinking their glasses and making a toast to the day ahead whilst holding a bottle of champagne. 

Another put on a leggy display in a short floral ruffled dress as she posed for the camera holding her can of Gin and Tonic.

One racegoer donned a bold, black flared sequin jumpsuit which she paired with a corset-style belt and a fascinator.

She styled her ginger tresses in a curly blowdry as she pinned her hair up behind her large, oversized hat. 

Another reveller opted for a strikingly different look and instead sported bright pastel colours. 

She wore an off-the-shoulder ruched baby blue dress that featured sophisticated frills at the hem and paired this with a pearl belt.

She had one of the largest fascinators, which consisted of blue, pink and cream feathers and roses. 

Say cheese! Two friends donned opposite outfits as one opted to wear pink and another went for a baby blue frock

Say cheese! Two friends donned opposite outfits as one opted to wear pink and another went for a baby blue frock 

A group of racegoers shelter under their umbrellas after they arrive at the races

A group of racegoers shelter under their umbrellas after they arrive at the races 

One racegoer poses with a can of G&T, enjoying a morning tipple before the races begin

One racegoer poses with a can of G&T, enjoying a morning tipple before the races begin

A man tops up champagne as racegoers started drinking at midday and prepare to watch the races

A man tops up champagne as racegoers started drinking at midday and prepare to watch the races 

One woman looked overjoyed as she sheltered under her black umbrella

One woman looked overjoyed as she sheltered under her black umbrella 

Two women pose for the cameras as they attend Epsom racecourse in Surrey today

Two women pose for the cameras as they attend Epsom racecourse in Surrey today

One woman looks less than impressed with the British weather as she sits on a bench with her umbrella and drinks

One woman looks less than impressed with the British weather as she sits on a bench with her umbrella and drinks 

One woman looked classy as she attended the event in Surrey in a spotty navy dress, pearl necklace and a £400 Holland Cooper Chelsea Saddle Bag

One woman looked classy as she attended the event in Surrey in a spotty navy dress, pearl necklace and a £400 Holland Cooper Chelsea Saddle Bag 

Other racegoers ditched the dresses in favour of a more practical jumpsuit

Other racegoers ditched the dresses in favour of a more practical jumpsuit 

One reveller opted for a unique zebra print fascinator that had pink flowers on it and coordinated with her outfit

One reveller opted for a unique zebra print fascinator that had pink flowers on it and coordinated with her outfit 

One racegoer came prepared and held a large umbrella as he sported a dapper suit and a sophisticated top hat

One racegoer came prepared and held a large umbrella as he sported a dapper suit and a sophisticated top hat   

The racecourse said on their website that Ladies Day is ‘like no other’, and added: ‘It’s best dressed, summer chic, a Derby staple. 

‘Dress to impress and soak up spectacular racing, including The Betfred Oaks, one of Britain’s five classic races.’

Like other racecourses, Epsom has different stands that each have their own dress code. There is no official dress code for those in the Grandstand Enclosure and racegoers are encouraged to come ‘dressed to feel your best’.

But they have been warned to fancy dress or offensive outfits, as the racecourse said anything deemed vulgar or derogatory may be refused entry.

The Queen Elizabeth II stand has a stricter dress code and people need to sport smart attire in this area. 

One woman looked classy as she attended the event in Surrey in a spotty navy dress, pearl necklace and a £400 Holland Cooper Chelsea Saddle Bag, a brand loved by the Princess of Wales.

One woman smiled as she attempted to save her fascinator from the wind by holding onto it

One woman smiled as she attempted to save her fascinator from the wind by holding onto it 

One reveller put on a very leggy display as she strutted into Epsom for Ladies Day

One reveller put on a very leggy display as she strutted into Epsom for Ladies Day 

An statement fascinator is a staple for Ladies Day, with one guest matching her pastel blue dress to an elabourate headpiece

An statement fascinator is a staple for Ladies Day, with one guest matching her pastel blue dress to an elabourate headpiece 

Sensible racegoers kept their coats on in the response to the uncharacteristically chilly May weather

Sensible racegoers kept their coats on in the response to the uncharacteristically chilly May weather

One racegoer was dressed in a halterneck pink dress and her friend opted for a deep plunge red frock

One racegoer was dressed in a halterneck pink dress and her friend opted for a deep plunge red frock 

Two racegoers complement each other in matching blue tones

Two racegoers complement each other in matching blue tones 

Dressed to the nines, racegoers wore elegant headbands and revealing dresses

Dressed to the nines, racegoers wore elegant headbands and revealing dresses

Two friends decided to coordinate and donned bright white outfits as they attended the event in Surrey

Two friends decided to coordinate and donned bright white outfits as they attended the event in Surrey 

Two revellers opted for pink looks with large fascinators, with one of them donning a bright, hot pink and another sporting a pastel pink

Two revellers opted for pink looks with large fascinators, with one of them donning a bright, hot pink and another sporting a pastel pink 

One woman looked chic in a spotty dress as she held onto her large fascinator because of the strong wind

One woman looked chic in a spotty dress as she held onto her large fascinator because of the strong wind

Two revellers looked in high spirits, despite the rain, as they strutted around the racehorse in their heels

Two revellers looked in high spirits, despite the rain, as they strutted around the racehorse in their heels