One of the big events on the social calendar, and one that, as always, saw racegoers partying on well after the sun went down.
The fashions, the Champagne, a great evening’s racing. No wonder Ladies Night has become a date circled on many a calendar – one that has whetted the appetite for the equally treasured Ladies Day to come on July 27.
Clare Page made it ten years in a row at Ladies Night and celebrated by winning the revered Best Hat competition, as selected by our fashion judges from literally thousands of racegoers. Her peacock feather creation, set perfectly against her cobalt blue dress, saw her take the top prize of Champagne hamper and fashion and hair vouchers after coming fourth the previous year.
“Winning was an absolute bonus in what is always a fabulous day,” says Clare, 36, of Tean. “My face on the photos says it all.
“Ladies Night is a great chance to get dressed up. It’s all about the glitz and the glamour. I love looking at all the other outfits. With Melanie C DJ-ing as well, it just felt like the event was never-ending. I was right at the front when the music started. Truly brilliant. I’m planning for Ladies Day already!”
Rebecca Beaman, 26, of Cheadle, came third in Best Hat. “I never try to win it,” she says, “it’s just what I go in on the night, so to be picked out was amazing. This year I had a Top Shop dress, in cream, with a black and cream hat and matching umbrella. The getting ready is all part of it, as is choosing the outfit. I loved the atmosphere – Melanie C was amazing - and can’t wait for Ladies Day. I just need to get an outfit sorted!”
Crystal Guthrie, 38, of Burton, has been to Ladies Night four years on the trot, and this year finished runner-up in the Best Dressed category. “I’d been selected three times for Best Dressed,” she says, “receiving two second places and a third. This year I had a bespoke dress made – my mother-in-law is a seamstress. I designed it and she made it for me. It was a deep plummy purple with a black velvet mask pattern and sweetheart neck. It came in at the waist, knee length, with a heavy underskirt to pull it all out. I felt a million dollars in it and it was lovely to be picked out by the judges again.”
Crystal and her friends also make a day of the event and are thrilled to have such a special gathering on their own doorstep.
“Me and the girls go to the Cheltenham Festival in March,” she says, “but Uttoxeter is only a short step – the highlight of our summer year. Then the DJ comes on and it’s time to have a dance. I’ll be going next year again to try to get that top spot in Best Dressed!”
Take a look at the Ladies Night Facebook gallery here and see if you can spot yourself! Click Here
Ladies Day takes place on Friday, July 27, and this year welcomes Britain’s favourite fashionista Gok Wan to DJ live after racing.
Relax with a Pimms in the summer sunshine while watching the racing. Again, there will be a competition for Best Dressed and Best Hat, so make sure you dress to impress!
