As you’re no doubt aware, the last week has been all about Glorious Goodwood. How to dress; which day to go; what to drink; these questions arise each year as the Goodwood hype increases and social calendars everywhere are overtaken by one of the indisputable highlights of the flat-racing season. And while the five-day festival may now be over for another year, we can look back and reminisce to our heart’s delight; particularly with regard to the Fitzdares x Gentleman’s Journal Summer Party.
Richard Biedul and Eric Underwood
Isabella Charlotta Poppius
Hero Fiennes, Rafferty Law, Guest and Jasper Ford
We’ve waxed lyrical already about the luxurious private members club in Mayfair belonging to Fitzdares (‘your favourite gambler’s favourite bookmaker’); and this year — as in previous years — the bookmaker partnered with Goodwood for the duration of the festival, thus creating uniquely glamorous experiences for owners and trainers alike. They brought the refined, elegant Mayfair atmosphere to the lush, rolling hills of the South Downs: and on the final day, Fitzdares joined forces with Gentleman’s Journal to host an afternoon event rife with glamour, sophistication and chic, debonair style.
Max Chilton, Chloe Chilton and Earl of March Charles Settrington
Davina Coleridge and Sophie Coleridge
Gigi Bacon, Victor Raber and Isobel Richardson
Lady Tatiana Mountbatten and Tara Ferry
Will Woodhams and Alex Gilks
VIP attendees including Eric Underwood, Raff Law, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Max and Chloe Chiltern gathered on the Fitzdares Club lawn throughout the July afternoon. The weather may not have been as bucolic or as blue-skied as in previous years — but nothing could dampen that joyful, post-Covid atmosphere.
Cinderella Balthazar
Rafferty Law
Alex Coleridge, Davina Coleridge and Piers Lakin
Eric Underwood
Lady Tatiana Mountbatten
The guests looked on as 30 of the world’s top international thoroughbreds competed in the races — including the iconic Stewards Cup — and glasses of Veuve Clicquot and Whispering Angel made the rounds in all their refreshing glory. Both champagne and rosé continued to flow abundantly all afternoon, while canapés of Lobster and Chips — later followed by Strawberries and Cream — ensured guests were fuelled and ready for an afternoon of betting, cheering, socialising and merrymaking of the sort that Covid has put paid to for far too long.
Annabel Simpson
David Tollemache and Harry Jarman
George Hanbury, Ella May Sangster and Billy Jenks
Ella May Sangster and Gigi Bacon
Gentleman’s Journal Editor Joseph Bullmore and Rachel Geraghty
Gigi Bacon, Victor Raber and Isobel Richardson
Isobel Richardson and Marina Hambro
Guy de Zulueta and Hughie de Zulueta
Lady Tatiana Mountbatten and Louisa Wentworth-Stanley
Lily Hanbury and Clem Hanbury
Glorious Goodwood was bequeathed its fondly-attributed moniker for a reason; it’s a sporting and social occasion like no other. And in true Goodwood style, the Fitzdares x Gentleman’s Journal Summer Party was as glorious an event as ever there was. Bring on next year.
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