The Deighton Cup‘s signature Thoroughbred event pretty much begins as soon as you start getting ready. It’s a party all about the posh attire and pomp and presentation of individual style. After wrestling with our fuchsia fascinator, we finally had ourselves sorted out and joined friends for a quick limo ride to the racetrack where serious fun awaited.
Live music flowed through the gates as we strolled down the red carpet toward the epicentre of action. In the distance, you could hear a starter gun fired as thoroughbreds shot out of the gate to gallop their way to a win – we couldn’t think of a better way to make an entrance.
Guests milled about the party, casually stopping to chat with friends as cameras flashed to capture the old world charm… oh, and we’d be remiss not to mention the hats! This is one event to totally go for it in terms of capturing your sense of individual style. The various fedoras, fascinators, bowlers and floppy oversized styles add to the elegant factor (and made for a fun competition to find the Cup’s best-dressed duo).
With a record setting 1,500 attendees, this was one of the city’s largest events of the season and for good reason: it truly has something to offer everyone, fancy dress and betting aside.
A $75 ticket scored you a welcome craft cocktail and gourmet picnic lunch as well as entry into the Miles End Motors Field of Dreams (definitely a must-stop for car lovers), live entertainment (thanks to Miami Device and rotation of DJs), and plenty of worthy distractions.
Guests could peruse a pop-up fedora display featuring the fine toolings of Gorin’s Hats, stay refreshed with a sampling of iced tea, and get their cigar or cotton candy fix. Several bars had been strategically placed throughout the grounds at Hastings Racetrack to ensure that no young professional went too long without a cold brew, bourbon, or glass of bubbles.
After trying our hand at the charity horseshoe toss, we ended up in the Veuve Clicquot tent to take in the scene while escaping the heat – and simultaneously scored ourselves the perfect trackside vantage point (too bad our bets weren’t perfect).
New this year, Thoroughbred featured a special cash prize of $500 awarded to the event’s best-dressed duo courtesy of Market One Media Group. The winners got the honour of having their names engraved on the one and only Deighton Cup, forever setting the style bar high.
If Deighton Cup’s marquee event has forever been on your wishlist to attend in YVR, be sure to make it out to next year’s trackside soiree. It’s the perfect blend of high style, high stakes and plenty of fun.
#NOTABLE
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.