Racegoers battle the elements at a blustery York Racecourse

Racegoers hoping for a glimmer of sunshine at York this morning were left bitterly disappointed when they were greeted by grey skies and blustery conditions.

As the penultimate day of the Yorkshire Ebor Festival got underway on Friday, women rushed to keep their tresses in place as strong gusts of wind blew up their skirts and threatened to send hats flying.

The high-profile race meeting, which and runs over four days ending on Saturday, attracts racing enthusiasts from all over the country each year and is a chance for guests to don their finery. 

Temperatures plummeted to a chilly 15 degrees in York today with rain expected, signalling the start of autumn, but that didn’t stop racegoers from donning vibrant, summery attire from strappy sun dresses to sleeveless frocks. 

There is no formal dress code at the Ebor Festival – with the exception of an obligatory jacket, shirt and tie for men in the County Stand – but guests are reminded to dress ‘within the bounds of decency’ and take inspiration from ‘wedding attire’. 

Rain, rain, go away! Racing fans defied gloomy weather on Friday as they donned their glad rags for York’s Ebor Festival. The equestrian event offers female guests a chance to showcase their most flamboyant outfits

Blustery conditions sent hair flying (pictured) and skirts flapping in the wind as women arrived at the Ebor Festival

A woman in blue at the Ebor Festival

Blustery conditions send hair flying (left and right) and skirts flapping in the wind as women arrived at the Ebor Festival. There is no formal dress code at the Ebor Festival – with the exception of a jacket, shirt and tie for men in the County Stand

One woman struggles to keep her headgear in place at the Ebor Festival on Friday. It comes after thousands wore their glad rags for Ladies Day, one of the highlights of the equestrian calendar and a chance for racing fans to show off their outfits

One woman struggles to keep her headgear in place at the Ebor Festival on Friday. It comes after thousands wore their glad rags for Ladies Day, one of the highlights of the equestrian calendar and a chance for racing fans to show off their outfits

Temperatures plummeted to a chilly 15 degrees in York today, signalling the start of autumn, but that didn't stop racegoers from donning vibrant, summer frocks, including this green mini

One York racegoer wore a pastel blue and orange sun dress

Temperatures plummeted to a chilly 15 degrees in York today, signalling the start of autumn, but that didn’t stop racegoers from donning vibrant, summer frocks, from a green mini (left) to a pastel blue and orange sun dress (right)

Women are, however, encouraged to sport ‘dresses, high heeled shoes together with hats or fascinators’ on the event’s official website – although organisers note that ‘it’s most important that you feel comfortable and enjoy your day’.  

It comes after thousands wore their glad rags for Ladies Day on Thursday, one of the highlights of the equestrian calendar and a chance for racing fans to show off their best outfits.

Ladies Day offers female guests a chance to showcase their most flamboyant outfits as they compete in the style stakes, with eye-popping colours, plunging necklines and eye-catching headgear on display. 

Braving the elements! Glamorous racegoers try to make the most of the blustery weather after touching down on York on Friday. Ebor Festival is a high-profile race meeting which and runs over four days ending on Saturday

Braving the elements! Glamorous racegoers try to make the most of the blustery weather after touching down on York on Friday. Ebor Festival is a high-profile race meeting which and runs over four days ending on Saturday

Windy conditions send hats flying at the York Races on Friday. Women are encouraged to sport 'dresses, high heeled shoes together with hats or fascinators' on the event's official website - although organisers note comfort is 'most important'

Windy conditions send hats flying at the York Races on Friday. Women are encouraged to sport ‘dresses, high heeled shoes together with hats or fascinators’ on the event’s official website – although organisers note comfort is ‘most important’

One brightly-dressed woman and her two friends try their best to keep their feathered titfers in place after touching down at York Racecourse on Friday for the penultimate day of the Ebor Festival, a highlight in the equestrian calendar

One brightly-dressed woman and her two friends try their best to keep their feathered titfers in place after touching down at York Racecourse on Friday for the penultimate day of the Ebor Festival, a highlight in the equestrian calendar

Windy conditions didn't deter equestrian fans from wearing their best headgear at York's Ebor Festival on Friday. One woman (pictured) opted for a royal blue number that matched her dress featuring a statement frilled shoulder

Windy conditions didn’t deter equestrian fans from wearing their best headgear at York’s Ebor Festival on Friday. One woman (pictured) opted for a royal blue number that matched her dress featuring a statement frilled shoulder

Despite shunning warmer clothing for summer-inspired fashion - perhaps in a bid to scoop the title of Best Dressed - women were faced with the challenge of chilly temperatures and strong gusts of wind at York's Ebor Festival on Friday

Despite shunning warmer clothing for summer-inspired fashion – perhaps in a bid to scoop the title of Best Dressed – women were faced with the challenge of chilly temperatures and strong gusts of wind at York’s Ebor Festival on Friday

Thursday saw guests gather for the much-anticipated Darley Yorkshire Oaks with some £350,000 in cash up for grabs as last year’s winners – English (Forever Together), Irish (Sea of Class) and French (Laurens) – went head to head. 

SportsMail revealed this week how the racecourse has installed new locks on disabled toilets in its most expensive enclosure in a bid to combat recreational drug use. 

Drug ‘honesty boxes’ have also now been introduced on the racecourse throughout the festival dubbed ‘the Ascot of the north’ and sniffer dogs will once again be present at the gates.

Security stewards will also wear new ‘personalised’ high-visibility tabards saying ‘We are here to keep you safe’ in the hopes that it will deter guests from becoming embroiled in drunken brawls. 

York racegoers smile for the cameras before the day's fixtures get underway. SportsMail revealed this week how the racecourse has installed new locks on disabled toilets in its most expensive enclosure in a bid to combat drug use

York racegoers smile for the cameras before the day’s fixtures get underway. SportsMail revealed this week how the racecourse has installed new locks on disabled toilets in its most expensive enclosure in a bid to combat drug use

Guests get stuck into the champagne early on as they arrived at York Races on Friday, perhaps in a bid to ward off the cold weather as temperatures plummeted to 15 degrees. Rain is forecast at the Ebor Festival later on this afternoon

Guests get stuck into the champagne early on as they arrived at York Races on Friday, perhaps in a bid to ward off the cold weather as temperatures plummeted to 15 degrees. Rain is forecast at the Ebor Festival later on this afternoon

Women get started on the cocktails early at the Ebor Festival. SportsMail revealed this week how York Racecourse has installed new locks on disabled toilets in its most expensive enclosure in a bid to combat recreational drug use

Women get started on the cocktails early at the Ebor Festival. SportsMail revealed this week how York Racecourse has installed new locks on disabled toilets in its most expensive enclosure in a bid to combat recreational drug use

The Ebor Festival, which kicked off on Wednesday, is sponsored by Sky Bet and features three Group One fixtures. 

It is widely regarded as the most prestigious meeting at York in the calendar, and this year sees a record £5million in prize money up for grabs, according to the event’s official website.

Tickets start at just £12 for a spot in the Clocktower Enclosure, going up to £62 for the County Stand.

Each day throughout the four-day festival, racegoers will have the opportunity to watch and participate in the Ebor Fashion Lawn, a catwalk culminating in the announcement of the ‘best dressed racegoer’ picked by a panel of judges.

Each lucky winner will be awarded £500 in gift vouchers or a personal shopping experience, organisers said.

What is the dress code at the Yorkshire Ebor Festival?

THE COUNTY STAND

The County Stand is the racecourse’s premier enclosure, and has a formal dress code of collared shirt, jacket and tie for men. While there are no formal dress rules beyond this, a photo gallery on the event website serves as a guide to help guests assemble their raceday fashion statement.

Short-sleeved shirts, bow ties, and dress shorts are all also accepted within the dress code, according to bosses.

There is no formal dress code for ladies, however most choose to dress up for a day at the races – with ‘wedding guest attire’ suggested as inspiration. Most female racegoers do opt to wear dresses, high heeled shoes together with hats or fascinators, however organisers note that ‘it’s most important that you feel comfortable and enjoy your day’.

In the event of a heat wave, the dress code for gentlemen may be relaxed – subject to social media updates.

THE GRANDSTAND AND PADDOCK

The Grandstand and Paddock has no formal dress code and guests are free to dress as they wish and feel comfortable. However, taking a lead from the County Stand dress code, many racegoers in this enclosure do tend to use a day at the races as an excuse to get glammed up.

Fancy dress (within the bounds of decency) is not unusual but guests are urged to remember it is a ‘family friendly’ event.

THE CLOCKTOWER ENCLOSURE

The Clock Tower Enclosure is a relaxed area in which to enjoy picnics with family and friends whilst watching the racing.

This is the most relaxed enclosure, and organisers suggest comfortable, practical, weather appropriate clothing and footwear, as the area is outside and therefore exposed to the elements.

Source: yorkracecourse.co.uk 

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