The 12 inspirational women riders that will ride in the Markel Magnolia Cup 2024 at Qatar Goodwood Festival, on Thursday 1 August have been announced.
The Markel Magnolia Cup has raised a phenomenal £2.4 million for charitable causes since its inception. This year, the Markel Magnolia Cup will support My Sisters’ House, a West Sussex women’s centre. They support any self-identifying woman to improve their welfare and wellbeing, reducing their risk of domestic abuse and supporting recovery. Operating across two hubs, located in the Arun District and Chichester, a presence in the communities, allows My Sisters’ House to help women reach their goals for future employment, education, or training through the Thrive Employability programme.
Avril Robinson, Acting CEO of My Sisters’ House, said: “We are beyond delighted to be the chosen charity of the Markel Magnolia Cup this year. As a local charity, run by women, for women, we love what the Markel Magnolia Cup stands for, and has achieved, in terms of championing women and womens opportunities. We’re excited to work with Goodwood and Markel on this wonderful event, which will make such a difference to us as a charity, and to the rapidly growing numbers of vulnerable woman we support in the local community.”
The race was conceived to overcome the boundaries within the sport and, more specifically, horse racing, creating an inclusive community in support of women, their abilities, and well-being.
The 12 riders this year champion everything the race sets out to achieve and are a truly inspirational line-up. Most of the women are complete novice riders within horseracing having never ridden a racehorse until their training had begun. The challenge will require total commitment to achieve success, a zealous pursuit of excellence and sheer hard work to win. Months of training are devoted from all the women for their opportunity to raise vital funds for charity and the opportunity to race at one of the most beautiful racecourses in the world.
Simon Wilson, President of Markel International, commented: “Markel has enjoyed a successful partnership with Goodwood for over a decade, and in the past few years we’ve taken this a step further with our sponsorship of The Markel Magnolia Cup. This race represents far more than what happens on the day itself; it’s about people coming together to champion and raise money for charitable causes that provide essential support to vulnerable people and communities around the world. I have the greatest admiration for the riders, many of whom dedicate months of their time to training and fundraising so they can take on this challenge. I’m looking forward to learning more about them and about My Sisters’ House and the impact this year’s event will have on the valuable work they’re doing. It’s fantastic to be a part of something that will continue to make a difference long after the race has taken place.”
The riders set to contest the five-and-a-half-furlong race down Goodwood Racecourse’s straight include:
Aamilah Aswat –Riding a Dream Academy Graduate
Amy Moring – Entrepreneur and Founder of Food Brand, Hunter & Gather
Rebecca Haryett – Lead Physiotherapist in the British Army
Ellen Barber – International Heptathlete
Eleanor Franchitti – Global Head of Business Development at Caxton Associates and wife of former racing driver Dario Franchitti
Harriet Hemmings – Rural Chartered Surveyor
Joanna Jensen – Entrepreneur and Founder of Family Skincare brand, Childs Farm
Lady Katherine Lindsay – Property and Projects Manager for David Ross and Survivor of a Congenital Abnormality
Lauren Price – Social Media at ITV Racing & World Horse Racing
Lizzie Jelfs – Leading Australian Racing Presenter
Matilda Butcher – Performance Marketing at Harrods
Sophie Pumfrett – Successful Model
Goodwood Racecourse have also announced today that going forwards a place will be offered in the Markel Magnolia Cup every year to a student of the Riding A Dream Academy. This year Aamilah Aswat will be the first graduated student to line up in the race, five years after Khadijah Mellah made history in 2019 by winning the same race.
Tickets, dining and hospitality are on sale for the Qatar Goodwood Festival, which takes place from 30 July to 3 August. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more. Best priced tickets with a 15% discount are available until 31 May.
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