Blowing a gale at Goodwood! Glamorous racegoers refuse to let the rainy weather dampen their spirits

The Sussex Downs might have been blanketed with grey clouds but that wasn’t enough to prevent racegoers from turning out dressed in their finest as the final day of Glorious Goodwood got underway this afternoon. 

Many guests had come prepared for a day of inclement weather, donning plastic rain macs and carrying umbrellas at the racecourse in Chichester today.

With umbrellas in hand, ladies seemed undeterred by the wet forecast, donning strappy sandals and stilettos and form fitting colourful gowns. 

It was held without any paying spectators in 2020 due to Covid restrictions, but racing fans have been determined to make up for lost time and have been putting on a dazzling sartorial display all week. 

Many guests had come prepared for a day of inclement weather, donning plastic rain macs and carrying umbrellas at the racecourse in Chichester today

Glamorous ladies seemed undettered by the wet forecast, with one racegoer using her jacket to shield her head from the pouring rain 

Today was no different with breezy frocks, eye-catching blazers and elegant heels all on show as the gates opened at Glorious Goodwood

Actress Naomie Harris (right) and Model Ajak Deng watch racing during day five of the Goodwood Festival at Goodwood Racecourse

Today was no different with breezy frocks, eye-catching blazers and elegant heels all on show as the gates opened at Glorious Goodwood.  

The famous racing event attracts guests from up and down the country and is considered one of the more relaxed meetings when it comes to the dress code, but plenty of racegoers still opt for a hat to elevate their look.   

The annual Qatar Goodwood Festival is touted as the sporting and social highlight of the calendar, with five thrilling days of world-class horse racing and elegant fashion for racing fans to enjoy.  

It was due to welcome 5,000 racegoers through its gates on the final day last summer but those plans were scrapped by the Government a day before it was due to go ahead because of the pandemic.  

Umbrellas were the accessory of the day for many racegoers arriving at the event earlier this afternoon 

Ladies arrive for the festivities, braving stylish hats despite the gusty conditions. One (right) even gambled on not wearing a jacket

Others were more determined to stay dry at the event, opting for plastic raincoats and macs in order to shelter from the pouring rain 

Eager racegoers braved the rain on the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, with some opting to forgo an umbrella at the event 

Goodwood managing director Adam Waterworth said at the time that the U-turn cost the track a ‘six-figure sum’ but the cost to racing was much, much bigger. 

‘It has cost us six figures. But it was never a money-making exercise, it was about proving we could get crowds back,’ he said. 

‘The loss is huge in what is already a year when there is no profit and the loss figure is getting bigger and bigger. Crowds are what we are all about. 

‘Between 70 and 80 per cent of our revenue is directly due to people coming through the gates. It’s a big kick because there was a bit of light at the end of the tunnel having thought we had actually done it getting crowds back.’

Hitching a ride! Some of Goodwood’s younger attendees were wheeled around the racecourse by their family members  

Waterworth revealed to Sportsmail earlier this year that the cancellation of the trial did, in fact, cost Goodwood over £250,000 and confirmed that the track lost millions from not having any racegoers in attendance throughout the whole season. 

Goodwood held just 13 racedays – six less than usual – last year due to rescheduling and all went ahead without any paying punters.