Held in late September, Ayr Gold Cup is one of the most high profile racing festivals in Scotland. Held over three days, this year from Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th September  2026. 

Ladies, We Say…It may be the end of September but the ladies of Ayr are not prepared to relinquish summer on this occasion, and the Ayr Gold Cup Ladies’ Day sees the full panoply of cocktail dresses, eye-catching hats and headpieces, along with heels, fake tan and fabulous hairdos. 

Official Dress Code

Hospitality Facilities – Dress to impress with smart dress encouraged. Smart Casual dress code is accepted but  strictly no jeans, sportswear, shorts or trainers are permitted. No football colours allowed in any area of the course.

Club Stand – Dress to impress with smart dress encouraged. Smart Casual dress code is accepted and smart jeans and trainers are permitted but no ripped/torn denims. No football colours allowed in any area of the course.

Grandstand -There is no formal dress code for this area except no football colours allowed.

All prices are correct at time of publishing.

 Rule 42 Boutique – Official Fashion Sponsor

Rule Boutique is the Official Ladies Fashion Sponsor of the Ayr Gold Cup Festival and will be giving away £350.00 voucher to spend in their boutique for the winner of the Most Stylish Lady Award! Rule 42  is a Scottish family owned fashion business, specialising in affordable Occasionwear, Party, Prom and Evening Wear. Dresses, accessories and fascinators created by their in-house milliner. Some are available online Rule 42 Boutique but most from their Glasgow boutique 113a Orchard Park Avenue, Glasgow G46 7BW. 01414337638

From left to right:  Pink, Lilac & Green Floral Guipure Lace Mini Dress £75.00; Lilac Jacquard Short Sleeve Ocassion Midi Dress   £84.00 and Chocolate Brown & Gold Buckle Asymmetric Neckline A Line Midi Dress £60.00

The Style Awards 

Held on Ladies day which this year is Friday 18th September, The Style Awards has tremendous prizes on offer and several categories including The Most Stylish Lady, The Most Stylish Hat and the Most Stylish Couple. Entrants need to sign up on the day in the Style Awards Marquee during the first two hours of the gates opening. They will be selected by random from attendees in the crowd.

The Most Stylish Lady

Wow the racing crowd in Goddiva’s One Shoulder Pleated Fan Midi Dress in powder blue. This bodycon dress features an asymmetric neckline and is adorned with a statement fan pleated detail curving down the front and around the hem. Also available in blush and navy, £125.00. Although a hat is not compulsory, you really need a show-stealing one in order to catch the crowd’s eye and become a finalist in the Best Dressed Ladies Competition. Chanix Millinery’s JEANNIE crown shape headpiece mirrors the curve of the dress’s fan trimming. In cornflower blue, the headpiece is made from sinamay and features a bunch of feathered flowers at the front and back to look fabulous from all angles. From £35.00 to hire (not including postage) with a £70.00 deposit (refunded after safe return). Shine in Meenu Graziani’s Sienna Silver heeled sandal. Crafted with silver leather and featuring a clear PVC leather strap in the front. £110.00. Carry your own rainbow with Meenu’s Rhea rainbow coloured leather clutch, £85.00. Accessorise with Sheila Fleet’s Sea Moss Moonstone Occasion Drop Earrings  £447.00 and matching Sea Moss 6-link Cubic Zirconia Bracelet  £484.00 Inspired by the heart-shaped tips on some of the sea moss forms, Sheila worked with her in-house designer, Olivia Yorston, and together developed a beautifully organic collection. Each earring is enhanced with a moonstone, whilst each bracelet link has two cubic zirconias. Both hand-enamelled in Sea Blue in their Orkney workshop. Complete the look with  GUESS® Oval sunglasses with blue transparent frames £85.00.  

The Most Stylish Hat 

One of the prizes for this category is a voucher from Glasgow based milliner Stephanie Gallen. Her pieces are handcrafted and she offers bespoke (takes about 6- 8 weeks) or you can hire for the event. Above image shows a few of her headpieces for hire, which you can find on her Hat Hire section of her website

The Most Stylish Couple

For the most stylish couple, both your outfits should complement each other. Here we have curated the same jewellery design and added gold accents for the gent to match his golden lady. 

The lady is a vision in gold wearing Goddiva’s Jacquard Sleeveless A-line Midi Dress £98.00 and Chanix Millinery’s CLARA – Gold Saucer Fascinator / Hatinator – a saucer shaped fascinator trimmed with a coordinating silk dupion bow.  Hire for £40.00 (postage not included) with a deposit of £80.00 (refunded after safe return). If wearing one colour head to toe, combine different textures and shades. GUESS® Elsie Rhinestones Mini Handbag in a soft pale gold fabric adorned with sparkling rhinestones, was £115.00, now £57.50 and GUESS® leather mules in light bronze sheep leather. £95.00. Cool the gold with a touch of silver. Orkney jewellery designer, Sheila Fleet’s Daisies at Dawn Enamel Dress Drop Earrings with sterling silver petals and sunshine yellow enamel disc floret. £240.00 and Daisies at Dawn 11-flower Enamel Necklace in sterling silver featuring eleven hand-enamelled daisies, separated by solid silver bars. £671.00

Team with Slater Menswear’s Tailored Fit Beige Check Three Piece Suit from their exclusive Fellini Tailored collection which offers an alternative hue to the normal greys and navy. From £149.00. Style with their Classic Herringbone Paisley Silk Tie from their exclusive Samuel Slater collection. Crafted in 100% silk, the tie has a paisley pattern layered over a herringbone base in neutral shades with a touch of gold. Pair the jacket and tie with a double cuff white shirt Bluff Collar Double Cuff Long Sleeve Shirt £20.00 to show off Sheila Fleet’s  Daisies at Dawn Enamel Cufflinks in Sterling Silver which matches the design of the lady’s earrings and necklace, £260.00 plus their Daisies at Dawn Enamel Brooch in Sterling Silver to add flair to the lapel. £327.00 Stand tall in Breda Lace Up Plain Comfort Flex Shoes from Slater’s exclusive Guthrie & Valentine collection. Handcrafted from smooth tan leather, these shoes have a flexible rubber sole and cushioned inlay for enhanced comfort. £99.00 Add gold accents to compliment the lady’s gold outfit: Textured Pure Silk Pocket Square in gold textured silk, £12.00 and Sockshop’s Lazy Panda Bamboo Socks in golden yellow £4.99.

Rule Boutique images courtesy of Rule Boutique

Stephanie Gallen Milliner images courtesy of Stephanie Gallen

Chanix Millinery images courtesy of Chanix Millinery

Sheila Fleet Jewellery images courtesy of Sheila Fleet Jewellery

Guess, Goddiva and Sockshop images courtesy of pr agency Trace Publicity

Meenu Graziani images courtesy of Meenu Graziani

Slater Menswear images courtesy of Slaters