The 2021 running of the Magnolia Cup has raised £230,000 for UK women's charity Smart Works.

Organisers of the event, which is sponsored by insurance firm Markel, said this marks a new fundraising milestone for the annual charity race.

Smart Works assists unemployed women in harnessing their confidence ahead of a job interview and is the latest charity to receive a sizeable fundraising donation from the race, which has now raised a total of over £1.8m since inception.

The race was conceived a decade ago and run on Ladies’ Day at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in July. The first dead heat in the history of the race was achieved when Candida Crawford and Thea Gosden-Hood galloped to glory, with the judge unable to split the pair at the finish.

Kate Stephens, CEO of Smart Works, said: “It was an honour to partner with Goodwood Racecourse for their renowned charity event, the Magnolia Cup presented by Markel. We’re thrilled that this partnership has raised a record-breaking £230,000 to support unemployed women at a time when this could not be more needed or relevant.

“We are truly grateful to Goodwood, The Duke and Duchess of Richmond, and the sponsors, trainers, and owners who made this possible. Not to mention the jockeys whose dedication, resilience, and determination were inspirational to all of us. This incredible result will help us help over 5,000 women this year, transforming the lives of women and the families they support. Thank you from everyone in the Smart Works community.”

It has been confirmed that the eleventh Magnolia Cup presented by Markel will once again take place on Ladies’ Day at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in 2022, which falls on Thursday, 28 July.

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