Cheltenham revellers don shades of glamorous green as they celebrate St Patrick’s Thursday on day three of the festival
Cheltenham Festival revellers looked spectacular in various shades of green as they arrived at the racecourse in Gloucestershire for St Patrick’s Thursday – in the hope the luck of the Irish would land them a winning horse.
With ‘Style Wednesday’, formerly Ladies’ Day, out of the way, punters were no less stylish as they arrived for what promises to be another stunning day of action.
Thursday is always known as St Patrick’s Day at the event, even if it doesn’t fall on March 17.
Braving chilly temperatures of five degrees, dozens of attendees dressed accordingly in Irish-themed outfits, showing off their shamrocks, green frocks and emerald accessories.
No doubt Guinness will be flowing as they celebrate Ireland’s patron saint, whose feast day falls on Monday.
And racegoers were keen to show off their brightest shades of green, with one woman in a smart pant suit, while others fully committed to the theme with an eye-catching suit and leaves.
Others preferred to show their respect for the theme through more subtle details, such as bags and boots.
And they were in glamorous company – with celebrities including Georgia Toffolo, Danny Dyer and Peter Crouch also making an entrance to remember.
Cheltenham Festival revellers looked spectacular in various shades of green as they arrived for St Patrick’s Thursday
And revellers were keen to show off their brightest shades of green, wearing their brightest outfits
Georgia, who recently wed Brewdog founder James Watt – was keen to join in the festivities for another day – this time opting for a smart forest green blazer and pleated skirt.
After a dramatic first two days of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, day three is upon us and it promises to be just as enthralling.
There are seven more races for punters to take a look at, with 65,000 people set to pack into the course in total and millions more will follow the action on TV.
Some of the highlights will include Teahupoo going for glory in the Stayers’ Hurdle, JonnyWho in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase and Sixandahalf in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Elsewhere, Cheltenham will bring you the Pertemps Network Final, Ryanair Chase, Plate Handicap Chase and Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Mail Sport revealed that racing fans were left reeling after Cheltenham bosses hiked the price of Guinness on the racecourse by 30p, making a pint £7.80.
A premium lager costs 40p less than a Guinness at £7.40, while the alcohol free version of the Irish stout is valued at the same price.
On Wednesday, racegoers had braced the cold in thigh-skimming outfits but, with the booze flowing as quickly has ever, seemed not deterred by the shockingly high prices.
Others preferred to show their respect for the theme through more subtle details, such as bags and boots
One happy racegoer wore shamrock glasses and a bright green hat
Another racegoer was wearing a bright orange leprechaun beard – going nicely with his smart tweed suit
Attendees were as keen to embrace sartorial dressing as ever in their stylish ensembles
Despite ‘Style Wednesday’, formerly known as ‘Ladies’ Day’, having been and gone, racegoers looked as glam as ever
Despite not wearing green, another embraced the theme and was already enjoying a Guinness
Despite bare legs, revellers made sure to wrap up warm with thick coats, fur and scarves
Gorgeous in green! One racegoer opted for a shade of moss green with a velvet rose fascinator
The impressive fascinators worn at Cheltenham were given a green twist for St Patrick’s Thursday
Racegoers in Irish fancy dress throw their hats into the air on day three of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Others stood out from the crowd by defying the display of green, donning red tartans instead
Dressed in mini skirts and huge headpieces hundreds of revellers put on their best display for Style Wednesday, which is said to ‘celebrates both the thrill of racing and the art of fashion’.
Some made a statement with bold headpieces in bright colours while others donned mini skirts with long boots, despite snowfall in Cheltenham in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Racegoer Lisa Luse was striking in her neon green ensemble, comprising an open coat, a purple dress, matching heeled boots, and a darker green belt to cinch her waist.
Coordinated leopard print looks, tartan print ponchos, statement bags, and faux-fur lined coats were all on display, as glamorous attendees also wore big smiles while posing for photographs.
British designer Jade Holland Cooper looked chic in a black-and-white houndstooth co-ord set, comprising a blazer and long, fitted skirt, worn over a crisp white shirt and a thin tie.
Former Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo returned for another day at the races after her recent wedding
Former footballer Peter Crouch arrives on day three of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse
Embracing the Rivals spirit was EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, who was already on the bubbly
Others opted for the classic smart dressing typical of Cheltenham – but the St Patrick’s Day revellers were Thursday’s stars of the show
One reveller looked fantastic in a plaid suit and stunning fascinator with matching bag
Revellers opted for matching outfits, complementing patterns with black detailing
Racegoers, some of whom were getting on the booze before midday, mixed with royalty with the Queen, Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie in attendance.
For 30 years, Cheltenham’s Style Wednesday was fondly referred to as Ladies Day before being rebranded in 2024.
Day two of the prestigious four-day event is known for attracting a host of royals and celebrities alike as they show off their sartorial prowess while enjoying a day out at the races.
However, the gender-neutral shift from Ladies Day to Style Wednesday was made two years ago, when a spokesperson for the Cheltenham Festival said the move was a bid to promote sustainable or slow fashion.
‘This year we re-launched day two of The Festival as Style Wednesday to celebrate “fast horses, slow fashion”, encouraging racegoers to make more sustainable fashion choices, showcasing their unique and personal style, and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends, family and on social media,’ they explained.
As part of the Style Wednesday festivities, the spokesperson said, both men and women can compete in the Slow Fashion Style Awards that replaced the erstwhile ‘Best Dressed Competition’ on Ladies Day.
