12 Brave Ladies

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Goodwood Racecourse is excited to announce the 12 inspirational female riders for the 2017 Magnolia Cup presented by Swarovski, which takes place on Ladies’ Day, Thursday 3 August, at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The 2016 riders in their uniquely designed silks

The Magnolia Cup is a charity race, first held in 2011, which will this year raise money for the UK’s leading children’s mental health charity, Place2Be. Goodwood is delighted to announce that Swarovski has become the presenting partner for the 2017 Magnolia Cup.

Swarovski’s support for sport and wellbeing goes back to 1895 when its founder, Daniel Swarovski, first encouraged his employees to live healthy and active lifestyles in the Austrian Alps, where he set up his company. Today, Swarovski continues to promote this ethos whilst shining a light on women’s empowerment with beautiful products that are responsibly sourced and made.

Since its inception, the Magnolia Cup has raised over £1million for a variety of causes. The riders, none of whom are licensed jockeys, will race over five and a half furlongs in front of an anticipated sell-out crowd of 25,000.

Some of the ladies have experience of riding to a high level, such as international event rider and last year’s winner Izzy Taylor, while others are learning to ride from scratch for the occasion, such as double Olympic gold medal-winning sailor Sarah Ayton. Also making her debut in the race will be sports broadcaster Aly Vance, who previously represented Great Britain in modern pentathlon.

In contrast, businesswoman Dido Harding is making her sixth appearance in the race and will be hoping to go one better than her second place finishes in 2015 and 2016. Harding will be joined on the start line by fellow businesswomen Charlotte Hogg, Shadi Halliwell and Clare Salmon, all of whom have contested the race in previous runnings.

Alby Bailey, Camilla Swift, Georgie Lane-Godfrey and Victoria Gray will be representing the world of media, with each holding significant positions in national newspapers and magazines. Completing the line-up is Emily Baxendale, founder of successful millinery label, Emily London.

The twelve riders confirmed for the 2017 Magnolia Cup are;