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The Markel Magnolia Cup is a 5 1/2 furlong ladies-only amateur jockey charity race at the Goodwood Festival, which gives women of all backgrounds and experience access to the opportunity to take part in a race, having never done so before.
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2025: A winner from Markel
In 2025, the Markel Magnolia Cup saw the most competitive line up of amateur jockeys yet, with fierce competition over the qualifying fitness challenge. Excitingly, Markel had not one, but two riders in the race; Philippa Hartrick-Morris, HR Business Partner and Sophie Forsyth, Underwriter, Financial Institutions and Fintech. Sophie Forsyth claimed victory in the 2025 Markel Magnolia Cup on her mount, Woodcote Girl. The other riders included a police officer, an artist, a social media influencer and an up-and-coming show jumper The year’s vintage-inspired jockey silks were curated by London-based fashion house RIXO.
Supporting organization: The King's Trust International & Project Lehar
Project Lehar is an initiative of The King’s Trust International that aims to empower adolescent girls in India through vocational training and skills development and promotes equality in their communities. The project takes a holistic approach, delivering complementary learning modules which enable girls to enhance their earning power, build self-confidence and plan for the future.
In 2024, the Markel Magnolia Cup drew together an inspirational collection of women to become amateur jockeys. The line up included a graduate of the Riding a Dream Academy, an international heptathlete, model, prominent TV racing presenter and successful entrepreneurs. The year's jockey silks that saw the women passionately hurtling down Glorious Goodwood’s home straight were designed by Rene Macdonald, Founder and Creative Director of Lisou.
Supporting organization: My Sister’s House
Founded in 2014, My Sister’s House is a West Sussex women’s centre. They support any woman to improve their welfare and wellbeing, reducing their risk of domestic abuse and supporting recovery. Operating across two hubs, a presence in these communities allows My Sisters’ House to help women reach their goals for future employment, education, or training through the Thrive Employability programme.
In 2023, the Markel Magnolia Cup rider line up saw a mix of truly impressive women unite for the race. From a Qatari camel trainer, a jewellery designer, a TV personality, a Royal Editor for the Sunday Times and many other incredible women, this year continued to set the bar firmly high. Markel’s Director of Strategic Projects Lyn Comerford competed in the race – and came an impressive 4th out of the 12-strong jockey cohort. The year’s jockey silks were curated by iconic fashion designer Alice Temperley.
Supporting Organization: Education Above All
Education Above All works to ensure equal access to education and to harness the power of quality education for positive, sustainable, and inclusive change. Access to quality education means equal opportunity for a better life for every child, yet those who need education the most have the least access to it.
In 2022, the Markel Magnolia Cup brought together 12 inspirational women from different industries and background. From a multiple sclerosis sufferer and gold-medal winning pentathlete, to a fashion model and inner-city London riding club ambassador, each rider overcame significant hurdles – both personally and professionally – in their lives to secure a spot in the race. And after months of intense training, they raced down Goodwood’s home straight, while donning vibrant colours and bespoke silks created by iconic fashion designer, Roksanda Ilinčić.
Supporting - The Brilliant Breakfast for The Prince’s Trust.
The Brilliant Breakfast is a nationwide fundraising event founded by Annoushka Ducas MBE, Patron of Women Supporting Women for The Prince’s Trust. Their mission is to inspire and invite everyone from all over the UK to get together for breakfast to raise money for The Prince's Trust. The Prince’s Trust has helped more than a million disadvantaged young people across the UK - three in four of those supported from 2018-2022 have moved into work, education or training.
In 2021, the first year of Markel sponsoring the Markel Magnolia Cup, kicked off in true style of what was to follow. The collection of jockeys included the daughter of Frankie Dettori, the Queen’s second cousin, successful businesswomen and TV personalities. Bella Freud, known for her upmarket irreverence, created a collection of jockey silks which were a statement of her creative and idiosyncratic approach.
Supporting organization: Smart Works
Smart Works assist unemployed women in harnessing their confidence ahead of a job interview, providing high-quality interview clothes and training, meaning women are equipped with the practical tools needed to help them get a job and subsequently transform their lives and, often, those of their families.