Glamorous racegoers step out in their finest flamboyant frocks as they return to Goodwood Festival

It was held without any paying spectators in 2020 due to Covid restrictions, so it’s no surprise that a crowd of stylish revellers ready to prove their fashion prowess have stepped out at this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Dusting off their finery, Glorious Goodwood racegoers pulled out all the stops as they kicked off the hugely popular five-day meeting in style today – with the ladies donning glamorous statement dresses and floral frocks.

Arriving at the Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester, West Sussex, excited guests stunned in a dazzling array of gowns and over-the-top headgear.

Coordinating! Arriving at the Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester, West Sussex, excited guests stunned in a dazzling array of gowns and over-the-top headgear

Stylish revellers turned the renowned course into a sea of colour this morning, opting for vibrant ensembles and summer prints. Unsurprisingly, hats were the focus of many racing fans’ outfits, with flowers, feathers and eye-catching patterns all on display at the racecourse. 

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 that didn’t stop ladies from pulling out all the sartorial stops. 

Ensuring the festival lives up to its ‘Glorious Goodwood’ nickname, ticket holders streamed through the gates in their most lavish dresses, high heels and hats. 

Double trouble! Stylish revellers turned the renowned course into a sea of colour this morning, opting for vibrant ensembles and summer prints

Looking good! Ensuring the festival lives up to its ‘Glorious Goodwood’ nickname, ticket holders streamed through the gates in their most lavish dresses, high heels and hats

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.  

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. 

Radiant: 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 that didn’t stop some ladies from pulling out all the sartorial stops

A sea of colour: 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 (pictured)

‘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.’

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.