Racing officially ditches formal dress code with immediate effect in bid to make sport more 'accessible and inclusive'

HORSE racing has officially ditched its formal dress code with immediate effect.

The Jockey Club has said punters can now wear what they want at any of their 15 racecourses.

The only exception to the new rule is the Queen Elizabeth II stand on Epsom Derby Day - and those racecourses not owned by The Jockey Club including the likes of Ascot and its Royal meeting.

'Offensive' fancy dress or offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts remain on the banned list.

Bosses said the radical move was a bid to make racing more 'accessible and inclusive'.

Rather than digging out the old tweed, chiefs want punters to 'dress as you feel most comfortable and confident'.

Explaining the decision, Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive at The Jockey Club, said: "Horseracing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds and it’s really important to us to be accessible and inclusive.

"We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.

"For those who visit our venues, a day at the races is all about spending quality leisure time with friends and family and we believe people enjoy themselves best when they feel relaxed.

"A major part of that is wearing clothing which you are comfortable in.

"While The Jockey Club has a rich heritage and history it is also a forward-thinking organisation which places a great emphasis on diversity and inclusion and always seeks to reflect modern trends.

"So, when we reviewed this area of the raceday experience, it has been clear to us that enforcing a dress code seems rather outdated in the 21st Century in the eyes of many of our racegoers.

"Of course that doesn’t mean we are discouraging people from dressing up for a day at the races if they want to.

"This is about giving people a choice and the opportunity to come racing dressed however they feel most comfortable and confident, while also bearing in mind the challenges regularly presented by the British weather!"

The Jockey Club welcome four million people to their racecourses each year for Flat and jumps fixtures.

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