The Magnolia Cup supporting charity Smart Works celebrates its tenth anniversary as riders are announced
The Magnolia Cup, run on Ladies’ Day at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in late July was first created to overcome the boundaries and create an inclusive community in support of women. Twelve jockeys who have little experience in racing undertake months of training to ride in the race.
This year, the Magnolia Cup will support the UK charity Smart Works. Smart works provides interview clothes and training to unemployed women helping them change their lives. The objective of this work is to support women’s confidence and self-belief, and provide them with the tools required to succeed in an interview. Half of the charity’s beneficiaries are from an ethnic minority and have been in long-term unemployment. The charity works with over 350 volunteers nationwide, with The Duchess of Sussex becoming their newest patron in 2019.
Kate Stephens, Smart Works CEO, said: “Smart Works and Goodwood share a mission to support and empower women across the UK. That is why we’re honoured to have been chosen as the 2021 Magnolia Cup charity partner.
“In the last year the number of women facing unemployment has risen sharply and Smart Works has never been more needed. Funding for our service will help women across the UK find the confidence to succeed at a crucial moment, get the job and transform their lives.
“We’re grateful to Goodwood and The Duke of Richmond for giving us this opportunity and enabling us to reach more women with our service.”
Since its creation the Magnolia Cup has raised over £1.6 million and most famously made the headlines when Khadija Mellah from the Ebony Horse Club won in 2019. Mellah went on to win the The Times Young Sportswoman of the Year.
This year’s riders are:
Scarlett Gartmann Reus – Model, Dressage Rider and Influencer. Scarlett is the wife of German professional football player, and the national side team captain, Marco Reus. During last year’s coronavirus pandemic, Scarlett and her husband, Marco donated €500,000 to people and smaller businesses in need in their hometown of Dortmund, Germany.
Ella Dettori – Currently completing her A-levels, Ella is the youngest rider to compete in the Magnolia Cup, she hopes to go on to study medicine at university. Based in Newmarket, she is a budding event rider, and the daughter of champion flat jockey Frankie Dettori.
Isabel Spearman – Brand Consultant and Smart Works Ambassador. Isabel was PR Director for the British accessories brand Anya Hindmarch for eight years before becoming Special Adviser to Samantha Cameron from 2010 to 2015 covering two General Elections.
Rachel Stringer – A Sports Presenter and Reporter, Rachel has covered BBC’s Football Focus, Match of the Day, the Women’s Super League football, Wimbledon and international athletics. She represented Great Britain at running in the European Youth Olympics and Commonwealth Youth Games and continues to be a keen athlete.
Callie Coles – Writer and Influencer, Callie is a mother of Merlin and Bear. She was bought up around horses and learnt to ride before she could walk. Based in Devon, she enjoys a sporting life with her husband Toby.
Tatiana Mountbatten – British Dressage Rider
Fiona Litchfield – Royal Military Police, Soldier, Cyber Crime Expert and Operations Manager at the Met Police
Caroline Miller – West Sussex based Property Consultant in the UK and France
Thea Gosden – Hood – Co-Founder at Indigo and Ivy Events and daughter of champion flat racehorse trainer John Gosden
Octavia Pollock – Chief sub-editor of Country Life magazine
Candida Crawford – Equestrian Trainer and Freelance Rider
Goose Leigh – Advertising Executive at Tatler specialising in Country Pursuits
To find out more about the event being held on 29 July 2021 visit the Goodwood website.
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