THE ROYAL ‘WHEE!’

day out at Ascot was all it took to turn our own Sophie Manners into a racing fanatic…

again. But this time a lot had changed. I was older, a much better rider, and finally riding my own racing pony, Derwent Dream Dancer, also known as Dee-Dee. In the months leading up to the race, I had travelled up and down the country to compete in pony races. By that point I was well acquainted with the speed. Competing in the ‘Open’ class, I was lining up alongside many jockeys who have now gone on to achieve some incredible things.

This time we started at the back of the straight, which meant securing a position on the inside rail wasn’t crucial. As the horses approached the starting line, the flag dropped, and we were off.

WHEN YOU THINK of Ascot, what comes to mind? I assume most picture it as the epitome of prestige, where royalty come to grace the turf amid a sea of Pimm’s and Champagne. You’d not be entirely wrong – my view would be similar if it weren’t for my very personal relationship with the track.

Like any child from the suburbs of London, horses were a rare sight when I grew up (I’m talking loo-roll-duringthe-pandemic levels of scarcity). Yet I always found a way to pursue my pony-shaped dreams. I persistently pestered my parents to let me join the local Pony Club, Park Lane Stables, an urban riding centre just 35 minutes from central London.

I’ll never forget the perplexed look on my mum’s face when I expressed my wish to ride. Fast forward six years, and after countless hours spent mucking out stables, I encountered my first genuine hurdle.

Before then, I had never truly found my niche in the sport. Many people enjoyed dressage, but riding around the school with stirrups longer than your torso wasn’t much fun. Some liked show jumping, but teaching me to see a stride was like trying to teach a nine-year-old algebra (despite my nerves of steel).

However, Ascot’s 2015 Champions Day changed everything. Thirty kids in purple Pony Club jumpers piled into a minivan, ready to witness greatness on earth. My first time at Ascot is a bit of a blur, although I do vividly remember the countless flower beds scattered around the racecourse alongside the stunning racehorses, whose coats were shinier than my loaned Welsh pony’s had ever been.

After that special day out, it wasn’t just my legs that were burning after my exhausting turn on the stall equicizer. I had discovered my passion. I had caught the racing bug. That evening, I went home and insisted to my dad that I HAD to try pony racing. And thus began my everlasting love. Preparation for my first pony race was challenging. We endured numerous training days where we stood out like a sore thumb. I was the only mixed-race child, showing up with a startled pony and a trailer light that had been smashed out because my dad had never used a trailer before. As the day drew closer, nerves began to set in. I spent the last few weeks dieting, running and sitting in a makeshift sauna (a steamy bathtub) in an effort to lose that stubborn 0.5lb.

On my return to Ascot I was scheduled to ride Trigger, a grey Connemara who was supposed to be the fastest horse at the yard. Before I knew it I was trotting up to the post on a horse I had never ridden before, with only a boiled egg I had eaten in the morning to fuel me. The flag dropped, the horses ran, and Trigger led the field with me clinging desperately on to my ‘oh shit’ strap. It was the first time I had ever gone that fast on a horse, and I absolutely loved it.

The six-furlong race flew by in the blink of an eye, but sadly Trigger fell away in the final furlong. Perhaps I was enjoying the experience too much to realise it was a competition. Finishing a humble sixth out of 12 left me yearning for more. One year later, I found myself returning to Ascot

Queen Anne was right about Ascot: it is one of the few racetracks where horses can fully stretch their legs and gallop at full speed. I positioned myself on the outside rail and allowed my pony to do her job. She would almost always deliver. However, perhaps naivety got the better of me this time, because I was only one furlong away before I realised I had to start pushing. I gathered up my reins, compacting myself as much as possible for maximum efficiency. With a kick and a growl, I urged my pony on. Her ears flicked as she acknowledged the command.

For the first time in a while, I felt Dee shifting beneath me. Her pace accelerated significantly, and a smile spread across my face. I distinctly remember my dad screaming: ‘Get third, Sophie, get third!’ in the distance. He was always my biggest supporter in these races. I narrowly missed out on third place, losing by a nose – something I still regret to this day. Even though I didn’t achieve the results I had craved, three exhilarating days took place on that hallowed turf, and those memories stay with me for ever. After Ascot, Dee and I went on to win eight pony races, including the 148 P2P Pony Racing Championships at Garthorpe.

The three years I spent pony racing allowed me to meet extraordinary people, helped me grow as a teenager, and instilled in me a passion to pursue racing. I may not know much about parenting, but I firmly believe that allowing your children to follow their dreams, no matter how audacious they may seem, is crucial. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I had, and I hope many others can do the same, regardless of their background.

Sophie Manners is Fitzdares’ Social Media Executive.

For five days in June, Ascot becomes awash with vibrant hues that mirror the joys of British summertime. Stylist Sarah Kate Byrne delves into what she believes makes a

ITHINK IT’S QUITE DIFFICULT to stand out at Ascot, as there are tens of thousands of people all donning their finest. You can stand out for the wrong reasons, and the right ones! Some are very daring and go crazy with their millinery. When I was judging fashion commentary, I looked for a silhouette where the hat worked with the outfit, and it’s the same as with men. If the top hat suits the gentleman’s face, the whole outfit ties together. Personally, I like a polished and thought-out look, so if you have the budget, a beautifully made piece of millinery or a very strong colour tends to work. My clients tend to be working professionals, mostly racing pundits, so a chic, professional and comfortable outfit is key.

I have always favoured big brims. The ‘seeping down effect’ looks wonderful and even gives the wearer some shielding from the sun. I also think the small, niggly bits are the parts that people forget – for example, the hair. A day-old hair that contains natural oils can help mould your style.

The Princess of Wales has recently been seen wearing big hats and I suppose people will try to emulate her chic look. I wouldn’t say I’m a trend follower per se, but I think a lot of big brims will be seen at Ascot this year. We are finally coming away from the ‘beret-shaped’ and ‘pillbox hats’ era and I’m not fussed about it.

I always suggest a chunky block heel or something thicker –someone in a thin, stiletto-type heel charging around on grass verges can be a disaster! My absolute top tip for anyone coming to Ascot, for both men and women, is to talcum powder your feet beforehand – this prevents blisters, and nobody wants to deal with that! Bringing some Compeed in your handbag could also save your feet a lot of unnecessary pain.

I do think Ascot is already very progressive. There is a misconception that the dress code isn’t very lenient, but I think it is. Ascot has come a long way in the last few years. Only in 2017 were women allowed to wear jumpsuits in the Royal Enclosure, and I think that’s a huge step forward in the right direction. I personally think a women’s suit can be even more stylish than an ill-fitted dress. I also agree in principle that the strap of a dress needs to be one-inch minimum; however, a one-shoulder dress can look just as elegant. Maybe even more so than a heaving bosom.

People shouldn’t be ashamed to wear the same thing again! I stand by the saying, “if you are tired of something, lend it to a friend and take something in return”. I’m also a big advocate of hat rental. As we all know, millinery is an art but can also come at a price. There are some brilliant small, women-owned businesses out there that lend out anything from a normal piece to a standout piece. Cotswolds Hat Club is just one excellent example – you even get a membership if you have multiple events a year. It’s absolutely brilliant. n

In the chill of February, we celebrated our partnership with FULHAM FC in a typically eccentric way – with tea! As a service-mad bookie, we felt that everyone should be entitled to two lumps of sugar and a dash of milk. Fulham won the game 2-0 in front of a highly-caffeinated Craven Cottage.

We spent the winter months giving the Churchill Box at WINDSOR a Fitzdares Club makeover so that it was absolutely perfect for our return in April. We are looking forward to returning every Monday night this summer.

Our very own pawn stars George & Charlie eye up the King ahead of a seminal Royal Ascot

We headed down to Newmarket for a photo shoot at the historic Bedford House Stables with a single goal in mind: to recreate an iconic image between two GOATs, our very own Ambassadors George Scott & Charlie Fellowes.

What followed were lessons in greatness, elite equine training and friendly rivalry. Watch this space for our behind-the-scenes film of the day. We wish George and Charlie all the best at Royal Ascot. Fingers crossed we’ll see them in the winner’s enclosure!