Goodwood's Magnolia Cup line-up features a Dettori and a Gosden

Glorious Goodwood's much-anticipated Magnolia Cup will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year.
The Magnolia Cup line-up draw the usual huge interest in the winner's enclosure in 2019 / Picture: Clive BennettThe Magnolia Cup line-up draw the usual huge interest in the winner's enclosure in 2019 / Picture: Clive Bennett
The Magnolia Cup line-up draw the usual huge interest in the winner's enclosure in 2019 / Picture: Clive Bennett

Run at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Ladies’ Day, July 29, the event has gone from strength to strength. A decade ago, the race was conceived to overcome the boundaries and diversity within sport and, more specifically, horseracing, creating an inclusive community in support of women, their ability, and well-being.

This year, the Magnolia Cup presented by Markel will support UK charity Smart Works, which assists unemployed women to harness their confidence ahead of a job interview. By providing high-quality interview clothes and training, women are equipped with the practical tools needed to help them get the job and transform their lives and, often, those of their families.

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Kate Stephens, Smart Works CEO, said: “Smart Works and Goodwood share a mission to support and empower women across the UK. That is why we’re honoured to have been chosen as the 2021 Magnolia Cup charity partner.

“In the last year the number of women facing unemployment has risen sharply and Smart Works has never been more needed. Funding for our service will help women across the UK find the confidence to succeed at a crucial moment, get the job and transform their lives.

“We’re grateful to Goodwood and The Duke of Richmond for giving us this opportunity and enabling us to reach more women with our service.”

British fashion designer Bella Freud will be exclusively designing the jockey silks which feature some of her signature designs such as LION, Ciao, Love is the Drug and King of Kings. Bella Freud, known for her upmarket irreverence, has created a collection which is a statement of her creative and idiosyncratic approach, which has been the hallmark of her success.

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Since its inception, the Magnolia Cup has raised over £1.6 million and in 2019, the last renewal of the race, it captured the eyes of the world when Khadijah Mellah galloped to glory up Goodwood’s home straight. The 18-year-old, Mellah won in spectacular style just months after sitting on a horse for the first time at the Ebony Horse Club, a club that aims to transform young lives through horses in south London’s most disadvantaged communities.

This year’s inspiring riders set to engage in the five-and-a-half-furlongs contest down Goodwood’s straight, include;

Scarlett Gartmann Reus – Model, Dressage Rider and Influencer. Scarlett is the wife of German professional football player, and the national side team captain, Marco Reus. During last year’s coronavirus pandemic, Scarlett and her husband, Marco donated €500,000 to people and smaller businesses in need in their hometown of Dortmund, Germany.

Ella Dettori – Currently completing her A-levels, Ella is the youngest rider to compete in the Magnolia Cup, she hopes to go on to study medicine at university. Based in Newmarket, she is a budding event rider, and the daughter of champion flat jockey Frankie Dettori.

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Isabel Spearman – Brand Consultant and Smart Works Ambassador. Isabel was PR Director for the British accessories brand Anya Hindmarch for eight years before becoming Special Adviser to Samantha Cameron from 2010 to 2015 covering two General Elections.

Rachel Stringer – A Sports Presenter and Reporter, Rachel has covered BBC’s Football Focus, Match of the Day, the Women’s Super League football, Wimbledon and international athletics. She represented Great Britain at running in the European Youth Olympics and Commonwealth Youth Games and continues to be a keen athlete.

Callie Coles – Writer and Influencer, Callie is a mother of Merlin and Bear. She was bought up around horses and learnt to ride before she could walk. Based in Devon, she enjoys a sporting life with her husband Toby.

Tatiana Mountbatten – British Dressage Rider

Fiona Litchfield - Royal Military Police, Soldier, Cyber Crime Expert and Operations Manager at the Met Police

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Caroline Miller – West Sussex based Property Consultant in the UK and France

Thea Gosden – Hood - Co-Founder at Indigo and Ivy Events and daughter of champion flat racehorse trainer John Gosden

Octavia Pollock - Chief sub-editor of Country Life magazine

Candida Crawford - Equestrian Trainer and Freelance Rider

Goose Leigh – Advertising Executive at Tatler specialising in Country Pursuits