Horses are in the blood of highly respected Australian racing media personality Lizzie Jelfs, the first rider announced to be lining up in the 13th running of the Markel Magnolia Cup at Goodwood Racecourse on Thursday 1 August during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
First 2024 Magnolia Cup Rider Announced
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British born, Lizzie started out her career in the UK in Lambourn with aspirations of becoming a jockey but was steered away from it as a viable career choice for her. Her love of racehorses led her to a working holiday to Australia that turned into 17 years employed with renowned trainer David Hayes. Lizzie held senior roles managing their Sydney satellite stable and working as a travelling foreperson taking horses all over the world. Following this she then took up an opportunity to expand her skills and put her expertise and knowledge to use in the media. Lizzie hasn’t looked back and is now an influential voice of Australian Horse Racing across the TV race day coverage on the free to air broadcasts of Channel 7 and Racing.com, and as host of panel show Get On Extra.
Lizzie underpins everything the Markel Magnolia Cup sets out to achieve, to overcome the boundaries within the sport. She has successfully pursued and carved out her own career in a male dominated industry and loves nothing more than seeing women supporting and championing other women to succeed. Lizzie is driven to provide her daughters and other females within the sporting landscape, role models, opportunities, and pathways to thrive and experience the sport of racing with no gender divide.
“I am so excited to be able to return to the UK and ride at a premier track like Goodwood Racecourse during the Qatar Goodwood Festival. I’ve watched the Markel Magnolia Cup with great interest from afar since its inception and am thrilled to be invited to participate in this years edition of the race.”
Given her front of camera roles within the media, Lizzie will be documenting her journey as she returns to British soil to contest the five-and-a-half-furlong race down Goodwood Racecourse’s straight. On taking up the challenge of riding in the Markel Magnolia Cup, Lizzie Jelfs said: “I am so excited to be able to return to the UK and ride at a premier track like Goodwood Racecourse during the Qatar Goodwood Festival. I’ve watched the Markel Magnolia Cup with great interest from afar since its inception and am thrilled to be invited to participate in this years edition of the race.”
The Markel Magnolia Cup has raised a phenomenal £2.4 million for charitable causes since its inception. Fundraising has now begun for the 2024 Markel Magnolia Cup via Just Giving here.
Tickets, dining and hospitality are on sale for the Qatar Goodwood Festival, which takes place from 30 July to 3 August. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more.