Without a doubt the Deighton Cup horse race, which takes place annually at Hastings Racecourse, is one of the most fashionable events held in the city, with both men and women often planning their wardrobes months in advance — and where outrageous hats and fantastic fascinators take centre stage.
This year, the Deighton Cup, produced by the Social Concierge, has opened up the entire Marquee and Concourse areas as one complete VIP experience. Attendees will be given full inclusive access to traditional areas hosted by the Deighton Cup in years past, including the Mile’s End Motors Field of Dreams, picnic area, cigar lounge and Veuve Clicquot champagne stage.
New for 2016, is an increased amount of space for derby-goers, festival activities and interactive areas. Additionally, the entire festival grounds will be exclusive to Deighton Cup ticket holders only and there will be more food tents throughout the entire venue.
The following are five reasons to check out the Deighton Cup on July 16, particularly if you’ve never been before.
1. Fabulous fashions
The Deighton Cup’s Style Stakes Best Dressed Award is about stepping up your style game. Each year, the Style Stakes pushes the fashion envelope when it comes to dressing to impress.
Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., 10 celebrity judges from the fashion industry will each choose one semi-finalist from the crowd. Attendees may also nominate themselves at the Style Stakes Deliberation Station. It’s there another panel of industry-insider judges will divide contestants into “Yes” and “No” categories. A raffle will then draw an additional six names at random from the yes segment to compete.
A total of 16 semi-finalists (eight women and eight men, in honour of Deighton Cup’s eighth anniversary) will be called at 2:30 p.m. to flaunt their looks on the Style Stakes Stage in front of the judges and an expected crowd of 4,000 people. The Belle Du Jour and Gallant Sartorial winners will each receive a $500 cash prize and become Deighton Cup style ambassadors for 2017.
2. The cocktails
The Deighton Cup welcomes the return of an event that celebrates the most famous bourbon libations — the spirit of choice when at the track. The perfect summer refreshments, these fabulous cocktail inspirations date back to the early 1800s and beyond. Mouth-watering beverages are designed and perfected over months by eager entrants only to be tested against a superb class of peers and judged by some of the finest palates in the city. The Deighton Cup, along with Bulleit Bourbon and its judging panel of industry heavyweights, have invited the best mixologists, barmen and aspiring booze hounds to partake in the fourth annual Cocktail Jockey Mixology Competition. Entrants create their best variation of a classic bourbon indulgence selected by cocktail director Alex Black.
The prize? Racetrack fame, bragging rights and $1,000 cash for first place. The name of the winner and their cocktail will be engraved on the one and only Boothby Julep trophy. Space is limited to 10 hopefuls.
3. The Food
There are some extraordinary bites on offer at this year’s Deighton Cup. (Lunch is complimentary with all festival passes, but there are also many other food choices available for purchase.)
Among the many delectable dishes available to try is the smoked bo ssam beef brisket sandwich (available gluten free) with Texas Style “63 Acres” smoked beef brisket, pickled zucchini, black kale, sesame ginger in a barbecue glaze, and ssam sauce on a crusty bap bun or the Korean barbecue shrimp on grits with white corn grits, sunflower sprout salad, fried onions, red chilies and green onion or popcorn fried chicken cones with buttermilk chicken, ginger-sweet soya and fresh watermelon — to name just a few.
4. The horses
Besides the joy of watching these gorgeous creatures race each other around the track, there’s also some money to be made — if you know what you’re doing. The following are a few tips from the experts:
· Grab a copy of a local daily newspaper and read the best bets of the day and watch the odds. For example, if a horses chances of winning are 25 to one and then 10 minutes later five to one, that’s a sign somebody knows something you don’t.
· Look at the horses during the parade prior to the race and ask yourself, does the horse look well, is it behaving strangely, does it look lethargic?
· Know how to place a bet. There are many staff members at Hastings happy to show you the ropes.
· Learn to be an exacta or exactor: This bet is for a horse to come first and second or to win and show. Essentially, this allows you to bet the favourite and a long shot.
5. The cause
Partial proceeds from the Deighton Cup support Variety — The Children’s Charity, a non-profit organization that inspires hope and enriches the lives of children who have special needs by providing funding grants for live-saving health care and services, life-changing mobility and communication equipment, and life-enriching education and experiences.
A child who has special needs often requires assistance throughout childhood with unforeseen expenses that many parents cannot afford on their own and are not covered by health plans.
This year’s Deighton Cup takes place July 16 at Hastings Racecourse from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on the event, visit deightoncup.com.
@sthomas10
