Leading ladies

It’s hats, heels and fabulous frocks at the ready this weekend for Liz Akroyd and her daughter, Hollie Dixon.

On Saturday they join a parade of nine of the county’s most stylish women, who are coming together to compete for the title of best dressed lady race-goer in Yorkshire. There can be only one.

The finalists have each won their own heat at the Ladies’ Days which have taken place at Yorkshire’s nine race courses through the summer, from Wetherby in May to Doncaster in September.

Liz, 46, won the Doncaster heat (prize: a weekend in New York) wearing a black and grey striped pencil dress and a hat by Funky Fascinators of Doncaster. “I bought it to wear at Ascot in the summer, but decided to wear it for the September St Leger Ladies’ Day instead,” Liz said. Hollie, 23, from Leeds, won the Beverley heat (prize: a weekend in York) wearing a green So Couture pencil dress. “And she borrowed one of my hats,” said Liz, who owns fashion boutique Passion Pour La Femme in Hull.

Ladies’ Days have been a feature of racing for years, viewed by many as a highlight of the social calender. Dressing up is a huge part.

“From the racecourses’ point of view, Ladies’ Day is vitally important,” said John Sexton, chairman of Go Racing in Yorkshire. “Not only does it guarantee a big crowd, it attracts ladies to what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport.”

Some courses pre-select potential entrants during the afternoon, perhaps handing them an invitation card, while others simply announce when and where the event will take place (parade ring, winner’s enclosure or marquee, usually) and those who want to take part can turn up and join in. At Thirsk more than 70 women stepped forward. Some courses also stage a best dressed gentleman competition.

“It’s nice to get dressed up, as people don’t bother so much any more,” Liz said.

So what makes a great Ladies’ Day outfit? Liz advised: “Some people think you’ve got to go over the top, with frills and feathers. Personally, I feel more understated is best. It’s a lot more sophisticated.”

Liz won in 2010, but hopes this year that her daughter will take the crown. “I would love to see her win,” she said.

Twitter: @yorkshirefashQ

The winner becomes the face of Go Racing in Yorkshire for 2014 and receives a two-night break at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, fashion vouchers and a £2,500 necklace.

The finale takes place at Doncaster Races this Saturday, in the parade ring, following the first race, due to start at 2.05pm. If you want to take part next year, the Ladies’ Day dates for 2014 are: Wetherby – May 29; Ripon – June 19; Redcar – June 21; Pontefract – August 6; Beverley – August 13; Catterick – August 15; York – August 21; Thirsk – September 6; Doncaster – September 11.