Looking for an excuse to get dressed to the nines, here is a list of all the major racing carnivals happening over the rest of the year.
Running over seven Saturdays from 2 May to Saturday 27 June 2026, Brisbane Racing Club’s Stradbroke Season features Fashions on the Field Competition on:
- Sky Racing Derby Day – 30 May 2026 (theme: black and white)
- Seven Oaks Day – 6 June 2026 (theme: Soft colour, florals and sophisticated glamour)
- Ladbrokes Stradbroke Day – 13 June 2026 (theme: black and white with a touch of red)
Royal Ascot in the UK, runs from 16 to 20 June 2026. The inaugural Colour of the Year for the 2026, which racegoers are encouraged to wear is ‘Bright Tomato’. If you are heading to the Royal Enclosure, hats must be worn and must be at least 10cm in diameter. Our collection of Sofia Irina dresses are perfect for the distinguished dress code.
Kicking off the spring racing season, the Australian Turf Club runs the Sydney Everest Carnival from 19 September to 7 November, with the Fashion Stakes competition on major carnival days (details here).
The biggest Fashion in the Fields competition in Australia is run by The Victorian Racing Club during the Melbourne Cup Carnival:
- Derby Day – 31 October 2026 (theme: black and white)
- Melbourne Cup Day – 3 November 2026 (theme: Bright and bold)
- Oaks Day – 5 November 2026 (theme: feminine)
On the Gold Coast, the Magic Millions Carnival will be held 6 – 18 January 2027 and includes both horse racing and polo fashion events.
There are also lots of regional and country race days throughout the year too that feature Fashions on the Field events (refer to @itsallabouthesash for details).
Visit my boutique for lots of fashion, millinery and accessories to complete your raceday look or contact me hats@abigailfergusson.com or in store at 397 Sydney Road Balgowlah NSW 2093 to discuss a bespoke hat for your next event.
