Glamorous racegoers basked in the sun today as they arrived for Derby Day at Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey.
Making the most of the hot weather, the arrivals sported their stunning summery frocks and elaborate hats for the day of festivities.
Keeping Covid-safe with mandatory face masks, one arrival picked a silky blue gown and oversized fascinator to cheer on the horses, while another boldly opted for an all-white look, as many made the most of the daring monochrome trend.
Simon Cowell and his wife Lauren Silverman lead the celebrities at the Surrey race course as they were joined by their son Eric, seven, and Lauren’s son Adam, 15, in a box.
Like many of the attendees, Laura opted for an all-white dress with a lace fascinator and nude heels while Simon sported a black and grey three-piece suit.
The event is usually attended by the Queen, who this year has decided to skip her trip to the Epsom Derby because she fears it won’t be the same with Covid restrictions in place, reports suggest.
Instead, the monarch, 95, will watch the famous race on television from the comfort of Windsor Castle.
Just peachy! Another racegoer took to social media to show off her very glamorous raceday look in a peach dress and black bag (left) while another wore all white (right)
Piers Morgan took to Twitter to share a snap with Simon and their wives Celia and Lauren
Simon Cowell and his wife Lauren Silverman lead the celebrities at the Surrey race course as they were joined by their son Eric, seven, and Lauren’s son Adam, 15 Like many of the attendees, Laura opted for an all-white dress with a lace fascinator and nude heels while Simon sported a black and grey three-piece suit.
Go go go! Simon and Laura were joined by their children as they looked delighted to enjoy a day in the sunshine at Epsom
Catching up: Piers Morgan, Celia Walden and Lauren Silverman enjoy a drink as they watch the races today
Keeping a lookout: Simon sported a pair of binoculars as he and Lauren watched the festivities in Surrey today
All white! A race-goer enjoys the sunshine on the second day of the Epsom Derby Festival horse racing with elobaroate shoes and a stunning white dress
Purple perfection: Another racegoer opted for a lace sheet strapless number and pink clutch bag which while her partner sported a baby blue tie
Beautiful in blue! Another racegoer opted for a baby blue number with a clashing red nail for the festivities in Surrey
ITV racing presenter Francesca Cumani during day two of the Cazoo Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse looked glamorous n polka dots
Three makes it a party! A trio of well-dressed ladies looked out to the horses while stunning in white and orange dresses
Dressed to the nines! One couple dressed up as a girl sported a flower print skirt and one shoulder top while her male companion opted to go smart casual in brown chinos and an open-collar shirt
Lucky red! One racegoer had clearly backed a winner as she celebrated a victory in all red attire
Sunny and chic: One racegoer looked stunning in a bright yellow dress as she joined a companion in a slick navy suit
Racegoers chat, eat, and drink during the ‘Derby’ day of the Epsom Derby Festival sporting flower dresses and neutral prints
Monochrome memo: One racegoer looked stunning in a structured white summer dress with a cinched waist and oversized hat while her partner opted for a waistcoat and top hat
Towering heels and purple shades! This group sported purples, reds and black with high heels for the Derby day out in Surrey
Making the most of the hot weather, the early arrivals sported their stunning summery frocks and elaborate hats for the day of festivities. Keeping Covid-safe with mandatory face masks, one arrival picked a silky blue gown and oversized fascinator to cheer on the horses
It will be for just the fourth time in 75 years she misses the day.
The monarch also missed the 1984 Derby, when she was in France for a D-Day anniversary and in 1956, when she made a state visit to Sweden.
Elaborate headwear was the order of the day for many, with oversized hats and flamboyant fascinators adorned with feathers, flowers and frills spotted in the enclosure.
This year the The Style Awards is open to both males and females, and seeks out to find the very best dressed racegoers on the course.
Among the top prizes include a year’s supply of dresses from Chi Chi London, a year’s supply of shirts from Charles Tyrwhitt, Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon and an exclusive Jessica Rea Headpiece, plus a personal styling consultation.
It is therefore of little surprise racegoers were keen to pull out all the stops when it came to their looks, pushing the boundaries with outfits that were both creative and elegant.
Keeping safe! One racegoer opted for a face mask and black and red lace number for her day out in Surrey
Glammed up and ready to go: One group of glamorous ladies surrounded a man at Epsom today
Pretty in prints: Many racegoers opted for chic printed dresses including polka dots in neutral colours and pleated navy floral prints
Flowerly fun! One racegoer opted for a bold sunflower print for the sunny day out which she paired with a black and white dress
All love! Another posed with a ‘Love’ face mask alongside and black hat and white dress for the day out at the Derby
Coordinated chic! One gentlemen opted for an orange facemask with matching tie as part of his three-piece suit while his partner teamed up a navy outfit with a silky face mask
Bit of all white! One woman sported a white shawl and matching fascinator while her partner opted for Union jack mask
Lady in red! Another racegoer opted for a ankle length rouge number with a co-ordinating mask and hat to enjoy the sun
Polka dot perfection! Another woman posed it a spotted dress and sipped on a PImms for her day out at the races
Popular cold-shoulder and strappy dress styles allowed many women to flash a hint of skin without putting too much on display.
Many donned frocks in vibrant hues of pinks and reds, while some opted for softer floral floral patterns.
Others bravely channelled one of the season’s other big style trends – head-to-toe neutrals – and donned dresses in daring shades of white and beige – despite the muddy and stormy weather.
The men mostly opted for top hats and three piece suits, often matching their dates with coordinating colours.
Others instead went for a more casual look with chinos and open-collar shirts.
Posing up a storm! A racegoer poses for a picture with the Lester Piggott statue during day two of the Cazoo Derby Festival at
Getting one for the ‘gram! Two racegoers took selfies – complete with face masks and elaborate hats – for the day at the races
Monochrome chic: One person opted for a black and white polka dot gown while their date spored a waist coat as they sipped on Pimms
Blooming gorgeous! Another racegoer opted for a floral print number with a green hat and coordinating face mask
Monochrome magic! One racegoer kept it cool in a black and white print suit while another went for an all white number
Let me take a selfie! Two women posed for a selfie while sporting glamorous hats and gowns at the race course
Love Island star Chris Hughes opted for a top hand and three piece suit for the big racing day in Epsom
Today is the second of two days of racing at Epsom Downs and is Derby Day, one of the biggest occasions of the summer calendar
Bolshoi Ballet is the punters choice to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a ninth Epsom Derby and a 41st British classic breaking a record that has stood for almost 150 years later on Saturday.
However, it is John Leeper, a horse named after the late two-time Derby winning trainer John Leeper Dunlop and trained by his son Ed who may well attract the more romantically-inclined punters.
Only 12 go to post with O’Brien surprising many by just running Bolshoi Ballet – it is the first time he has had just the one runner since 2004.
A marching band performs during day two of the Cazoo Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse
A member of the Red Devils Parachute display team parachutes onto the course during day two of the Cazoo Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse
Bolshoi Ballet if victorious would see O’Brien become the all-time record-holder for British classic wins – John Scott also won 40 between 1827 and 1863.
‘We knew he was a very special horse last year and he’s done everything we have asked of him,’ O’Brien told ITV.
‘The Derby means everything it is the pinnacle of a horse’s career and the ultimate test of balance, courage and stamina.
‘There are many different aspects and twists and turns which can affect the mentality of the horse even before you get to the start.
‘Galileo (the sire/father of Bolshoi Ballet and who won the 2001 Derby) for me was the ultimate racehorse.’
Held at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, the Derby was first run in 1780.
It is Britain’s richest flat horse race, and the most prestigious of the five Classics – the other four of which are the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the 1,000 Guineas Stakes, the Epsom Oaks, and the St Leger Stakes.
This year’s event will be restricted due to Covid. The famous hill, where up to 100,000 people normally stand to watch the race, will be closed.
And the ticketed area will be limited to just a quarter of its usual size.
But that – and a deluge of rain – did little to put of thousands of glamorous racegoers who flocked to Epsom Downs for Ladies’ Day yesterday.