Cheltenham Festival makes U-turn and revives Ladies Day

11 Mar 2026 • 6:14 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Ladies Day has returned to Cheltenham Festival after a five-year hiatus, aiming to boost attendance on what was previously the lowest-attended day of the event.
  • The decision to revive Ladies Day follows a review by The Jockey Club after last year's attendance for 'Style Wednesday' fell to its lowest in 30 years.
  • Pre-bought ticket figures show a significant increase in purchases by women, rising from 25 per cent last year to 33 per cent for the returning Ladies Day.
  • The reintroduction of Ladies Day, alongside other changes like reduced beer prices and allowing free movement with drinks, has been welcomed by attendees and racing enthusiasts.
  • Ex-jockey Rachael Blackmore, appointed 'Head of Ladies Day', has campaigned to encourage more women to attend, contributing to the positive shift in ticket sales.

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