Revellers go wild for Grand National’s ‘good’ Ibiza-style seaside membership
Racing revellers went wild at the Grand National’s first Ibiza beach club dance party – despite it pouring down at R-Aintree.
Thousands dodged the rain by packing into the racecourse’s very own O Beach – the famous Mediterranean isle club launched by Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne.
Dancers in skimpy Moulin Rouge-style costumes gyrated on stage to club anthems between races.
Some fans showed off their moves on the dancefloor while others lounged around on comfy beach chairs.
The action was beamed in from the track 500 yards away on a giant screen.
Annika Courtney, 21, a groom for top trainer Feargal O’Brien, who is studying racehorse performance and rehabilitation at university, paid just a tenner for a ticket on a students’ website. “It’s brilliant in here,” she said.
“This is introducing racing to a whole new audience. My friends could not wait to come along when they heard about the beach club.
“Even people who are not particularly interested in racing can dress us and have a good time.
“Thankfully they made it undercover as the weather in Liverpool does not quite match up to Ibiza.
“I’m also really pleased they used fake grass instead of sand. That would have ruined all our shoes.
“When you come in here it’s easy to see why racing is booming in Britain.”
Her pal Tiffany Biles, 20, a pub manager from The Cotswolds, said: “Having a beach club is a fantastic idea. It’s a great atmosphere. I just wish they could have brought the Ibiza weather too.”
Paul Crane, 47, events manager for O Beach UK Festivals and Tours, said: “Aintree is the perfect fit for us.
“There’s lots of festivals that would host the event but we need it to be that little bit more luxurious and I think that’s what we’ve got at Aintree.
“When we have a lot of people from Liverpool visit us in Ibiza they know how to party.
“So we’re very excited to be at the Grand National Festival. We fully know what to expect.
“The area is stunning and it fits the vibe O Beach has got in Ibiza.
“We’ve got incredible music and we’re bringing a little bit of extra glamour to Aintree.”
O Beach owner Tony Truman said: “Taking O Beach to Aintree for Grand National weekend is a massive moment for us.
“It’s one of the most iconic weekends in the UK calendar with an unbelievable atmosphere and we’re excited to bring our own flavour to it – great music, great energy and a proper party feel that adds something extra to the day.”
