The Diary: Fitzdares x Gentleman’s Journal Summer Party at the Qatar Goodwood Festival

Have you been making the most of freedom? Well, so have we: Fitzdares and Gentleman's Journal celebrated Glorious Goodwood in style.

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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