My Sisters’ House Team at Goodwood House, West Sussex.
26 April 2024
Today some members of the My Sisters' House team were thrilled to attend the official launch event for the highly anticipated 2024 Markel Magnolia Cup at the prestigious Goodwood House, in West Sussex.
Each of the twelve inspiring female jockeys selected to participate in the race were introduced, and for the first time the jockeys got to hear about the work we do here at My Sisters’ House, and the self-identifying women we support.
As the only women’s centre in West Sussex, My Sisters’ House is dedicated to providing trauma-informed support to self-identifying women across Arun and Chichester. We create a safe and empowering environment for those at medium-risk of domestic abuse, as well as providing welfare and wellbeing services.
The Markel Magnolia Cup, a highlight of the British horse racing calendar, combines the thrill of the sport with a passion for supporting a charity. This year's event promises to be even more spectacular, as it celebrates the empowerment of women in both the sporting arena and society as a whole.
"We are delighted to kick off the 2024 Markel Magnolia Cup with this exciting launch event at Goodwood House," said Avril Robinson, acting CEO at My Sisters' House. "This event not only celebrates the spirit of competition, but also underscores our commitment to supporting and empowering women from all walks of life. We are eager to meet the twelve remarkable women who will be riding in the charity race and we are so grateful for their dedication to our cause."
The Goodwood team’s creation of the Magnolia race was driven by the desire to break down barriers within the sport of horseracing, fostering an inclusive community that celebrates women, their talents and their well-being.
The Jockeys
The 12 female jockeys taking part in the 2024 Markel Magnolia Cup. Image Copyright Goodwood Races
This year's lineup of twelve amateur riders embodies the very essence of what the race aims to accomplish and serves as a source of inspiration to all. The challenge ahead demands unwavering dedication and sheer determination to emerge victorious. Each rider has invested in months of rigorous training in preparation for the opportunity to not only raise crucial funds for charity but also to compete on one of the world's most breathtaking racecourses. Each gave a personal story at the launch about why they wanted to race, which blew our team away. The overarching theme was that they all want to make a difference in how women are viewed; to show we can achieve anything and be role models for other women around us, our daughters, sisters, aunties and friends.
Simon Wilson, president of Markel International, announced:
“The riders set to contest the five-and-a-half-furlong race down Goodwood Racecourse’s straight include:
Aamilah Aswat –Riding a Dream Graduate
Amy Moring – Entrepreneur and Founder of Food Brand, Hunter & Gather
Rebecca Haryett – Lead Physiotherapist in the British Army
Ellen Barber – International Heptathlete
Eleanor Franchitti – Global Head of Business Development at Caxton Associates and wife of former racing driver Dario Franchitti
Harriet Hemmings - Rural Chartered Surveyor
Joanna Jensen – Entrepreneur and Founder of Family Skincare brand, Childs Farm
Lady Katherine Lindsay – Property and Projects Manager for David Ross and Survivor of a Congenital Abnormality
Lauren Price – Social Media at ITV Racing & World Horse Racing
Lizzie Jelfs – Leading Australian Racing Presenter
Matilda Butcher – Performance Marketing at Harrods
Sophie Pumfrett – Model
Images of Jockeys are Copyright Goodwood Racecourse 2024
The Silks
Rene MacDonald, founder and lead designer of luxury apparel brand, Lisou.
Alongside the announcement of the line-up, we also had the privilege of meeting Rene MacDonald, founder and lead designer of luxury apparel brand, Lisou. She has been selected as this year’s designer and will be creating the 12 silks for each of the jockeys to wear on the day. Fresh off the plane from New York, her passion to support women and My Sisters’ House was not damped by a bit of jet-lag. We loved meeting Rene and can’t wait to see the finished silks.
Gosh ladies! We are in awe of you all and can’t wait to follow your journey. Thank you to the Goodwood team for having us, we had a fantastic time.
April x