The 2019 Magnolia Cup charity race at Goodwood Racecourse will feature a field of strong, inspirational women from the worlds of business, sport, fashion, music, and media, who will set aside their day jobs to become jockeys for the occasion.
Run at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, (known affectionately as ‘Glorious Goodwood’), on Ladies’ Day, August 1, the Magnolia Cup is now in its ninth year and has raised over £1.5 million for a number of charities since its inception. The race itself is run over five-and-a-half-furlongs down Goodwood’s straight in front of a capacity crowd of 25,000, and the riders will need nerves of steel, especially as most of those taking part had never set foot in a racing yard before their training started.
Goodwood is delighted to announce that the bespoke jockey silks will be designed exclusively for the Magnolia Cup by Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou. Mary’s designs feature abstract, flamboyant prints created using cutting-edge digital technology and exquisite craftsmanship. Her recent collaborations include working with brands such as Longchamp, Moncler, and Adidas Originals.
This year, the Magnolia Cup will support Wellbeing of Women, which is Britain’s leading charity funding pioneering medical research across the whole spectrum of women’s reproductive and gynaecological health. From ovarian cancer to endometriosis, premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth, the charity is dedicated to finding new cures and treatments in order to help save the lives of women and ensure babies have the best possible start in life.
Janet Lindsay, CEO, Wellbeing of Women comments: “Wellbeing of Women is delighted to be the chosen charity partner for the 2019 Magnolia Cup. This prestigious charity race stands out in its continued support for women. Even in an era of #MeToo with a drive to improve diversification and gender pay gaps, women’s health research remains overlooked and underfunded, with many women suffering in silence. Research can unlock the next medical breakthroughs and we are dedicated to improving women’s lives and breaking taboos in health. As women’s health affects the whole family, we are honoured that the Magnolia Cup has chosen to champion this important issue and would like to thank Goodwood and The Duke of Richmond for this wonderful opportunity.”
Fundraising takes place through race and horse sponsorship, as well as at the Regency Ball, a stunning Regency-themed banquet and party held at Goodwood House the evening after the Magnolia Cup.
This year’s inspiring riders will be:
Vogue Williams – Irish TV presenter, DJ and model
Victoria Pendleton – London 2012Olympic gold medal winning cyclist
Rosie Tapner - British fashion model and presenter
Luisa Zissman - English retail entrepreneur and reality television personality
Alexis Green - BBC weather presenter and journalist
Valeria Holinger - Skikjöring Racer & Marketing Assistant and Race Department Assistant at Head Switzerland
Georgia Connolly - Ambassador for the Victoria Racing Club, custodian of the world-renowned Melbourne Cup Carnival
Kitty Trice -Journalist at the Racing Post
Rachael Gowland - Marketing Communications Manager at British European Breeders Fund
Kate Grover - Executive Assistant, MW&L Capital Partners Limited
Sophie Van Der Merwe - Professional event rider
A member of Ebony Horse Club – Riding stables benefiting disadvantaged communities in inner city London
(ENDS)
Editor’s Notes:
To follow the riders as they train for the Magnolia Cup, including facing a gruelling assessment at the British Racing School, please visit Goodwood Racecourse’s social media channels.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/goodwoodracecourse
Twitter: www.twitter.com/goodwood_races
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodwood_races
About the Qatar Goodwood Festival:
Once described by King Edward VII as ‘a garden party with racing tacked on,’ this world-famous five-day festival – affectionately known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’ – is one of the highlights of the flat racing season. Over 100,000 people flock to the world’s most beautiful racecourse to enjoy top class racing and entertainment, including the £1million Qatar Sussex Stakes, the cavalry charge that is the Qatar Steward’s Cup and the marathon Qatar Goodwood Cup.
The 2019 event takes place from Tuesday 30 July to Saturday 3 August and Qatar continues its generous support of the week, with prize money totalling over £5.5 million.
Tickets and hospitality packages for all of Goodwood’s 2019 fixtures can be purchased at Goodwood.com or by calling 01243 755055.
For editorial enquiries please contact:
Lucy Snell or Jack Mansell in the Goodwood Press Office: 01243 755 000, lucy.snell@goodwood.com / jack.mansell@goodwood.com
About Wellbeing of Women
Wellbeing of Women is the UK’s leading women’s reproductive and gynaecological health charity which for over 55 years has been dedicated to saving and changing lives through research. Our pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment across the breadth of female reproductive and gynaecological health, including pregnancy & childbirth, gynaecological cancers, and overlooked areas like endometriosis and the menopause has helped save thousands of lives and ensure a better start for many babies.
Many of the routine tests and treatments that form everyday clinical practice can be traced back to our work, such as the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and the importance of taking folic acid for the health of the unborn baby. We also funded Professor Henry Kitchener, who linked HPV to cervical cancer which led to the HPV vaccination program in schools, making cervical cancer preventable for the first time. Only 2.48% of publicly funded research is dedicated to reproductive health and childbirth which makes our work vital.
Please go online to find out: https://www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/ and follow us on Twitter: @Wellbeingofwmen / Instagram: @Wellbeingofwomen / Facebook: @Wellbeingofwmen
