Next week’s Qatar Glorious Goodwood festival sees the 2026 return of the Markel Magnolia Cup. Held on Ladies’ Day this unique, all-female charity race sees 12 incredible women step into the irons to raise crucial funds for the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation.
From complete racing newcomers to passionate riders, each jockey takes on a intense training journey to prove they’ve got the grit, fitness, and skill to charge down Goodwood’s famous home straight. Why is that of interest to the British Racing School, located 150 miles away in Newmarket?
We have been lucky enough to work alongside this ambitious team of riders as they prepare for the challenge, making sure their fitness and experience is at a level where they are safe and able to ride in a race; and to be competitive (none of the riders lacks that competitive spirit!)
Following successful selection for the race, the ladies have all undertaken intensive fitness training, and have traveled to BRS three times, for assessment and rider training. Our team of coaches have assessed their fitness as well as their riding ability, and have provided simulator coaching sessions. Each rider has received 1:1 feedback on where they might be able to improve, and they are all welcome to weekly simulator drop in sessions, run by our UK wide team of jockey coaches. On the day itself, jockey coach George Baker will be metaphorically holding their hands throughout a course walk, giving tips from his many years of previous experience as a jockey, as well as a coach.
This year, BRS has an another reason to be watching the line up closely. Ruth Inman is a graduate of the Riding a Dream Academy, co-founded by former Magnolia Cup winner, Kadijah Mellah, and based on site here in Newmarket.
The full list of riders for the 2026 race includes:
- Alice Hawker
- Araminta Reed
- Charlotte Littlefield
- Gemma Owen
- Ilona Wells
- Imaan Rasul-Healer
- Jasmine Watts
- Jessica Chapplow
- Joanna Bovis
- Molly Hunter
- Nermina Pieters-Mekic
- Ruth Inman
- Victoria Wang
- Zoey Schorsch
- Bryony Harris (reserve)
Once again, the race will be raising funds for Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global education non-profit, transforming the lives of children and young people affected by poverty, conflict and disaster. The charity has supported more than 18 million people since it was established by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2012.
Find out more about this year’s jockeys here, or follow our social media for a snapshot of the fitness assessments here at BRS.
*Cover photo courtesy of Goodwood Racecourse