Thousands of racegoers descended on York for the final day of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. Docking colourful, quirky and, for some, memorable outfits they enjoyed the sun at York Racecourse today (Saturday, August 24). Jess Fields - soon to be Kantor-White - wore a white dress and veil, accompanied by a "bridge to be" sash at the racecourse to celebrate her hen do.
She travelled to the city from Sheffield, with her maid of honour saying they had a "surprise" in store for her later in the day. York was just the first hen do celebration for Jess, with another in Marbella to take place next year. Amy Bere, from Wales, was also in York celebrating her hen do at the races, ahead of her wedding in October in South Yorkshire.
Her sister, Hannah, arranged the trip, which included a trip to Pool Bridge Farm, near Wheldrake, for cold water swimming this morning. “It was alright when we were in," Amy said of the cold dip. Amy, wearing a white veil along with a white and blue dress, said racegoers had congratulated her and wished her well for the wedding.
“It’s been pretty good," she said of her day at the races in York. "There’s a lot of 'out there' outfits.” Meanwhile, Denise Cunningham, travelled to York Racecourse from Chesterfield to celebrate a friend’s 40th birthday.
The birthday boy didn't want to be photographed but was happy to confirm that the group were enjoying their time at the racecourse. Groups of friends reunited at the races, with some marking the event as a chance for an annual get together. Leanne Pexton, who visited with seven friends, said the group attends the races regularly.
“It’s lovely," she explained. "We’re from Beverley but we love York.” Anne-Marie Dale attended with friends Ann-Marie Herring and Ann Marshall.
She was visiting York from Phoenix, Arizona. “It’s lovely, a beautiful place," said Anne-Marie, who is originally from Wigan. Ann Marshall, from Chester, added that the group would be staying in York for a couple of days and hoped to do some sightseeing.
Princess-Eve Williams and Gracie-Lucia Harris travelled to the races from Worcester. The 18-year-olds came by car, which they said took three-and-a-half-hour, for the day in York. “It would be good if it wasn’t so windy," said Gracie-Lucia.
As racegoers were accompanied by Queen Camilla, who returned to York after making a surprise appearance at the racecourse yesterday. Today Camilla cut the ribbon to open the racecourse’s new Bustardthorpe Development - refurbishing the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand - and watched on from the stand as the racing unfolded. She watched her horse, Reaching High, race in the Sky Bet Melrose Stakes in which he was unplaced.
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