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Hats the way to do it ! Racegoers sport some VERY impressive headgear as they soak up the last of the summer sun at Doncaster Ladies Day

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There may be some serious prize money up for grabs at Doncaster this week , but all eyes were firmly off the track and on the glamorous outfits pouring in as Ladies Day got underway on Thursday .
And as temperatures hit 22 degrees , it seemed the ladies of south Yorkshire were only too happy to soak up the last of the summer sun as they showcased their best frocks , heels and headgear .
Thursday 's much-anticipated event will see one lucky racegoer crowned the Best Dressed Lady , taking home a mysterious ` bumper prize packet ' as well as a trip to New York and the opportunity to compete in the upcoming Yorkshire 's Best Dressed Lady 2016 .
And the glamorous guests certainly pulled out on the stops , turning the racecourse and its grounds into a sea of colour with a bright array of eye-catching floral frocks .
Lace proved a popular look , with some revellers opting for chic , mid-calf length numbers which they colour-coordinated with their impressive headgear .
And few guests were seen without the obligatory fascinator , adorned with flowers and feathers .
While previous gatherings have seen chilly temperatures and even downpours , Thursday 's balmy weather meant that guests were free to soak up the sunshine , completing their glamorous looks with oversized shades - not to mention a pint or two of beer .
There are five races at Doncaster today , kicking off shortly before 2pm with the British Stallion Studs ` Carrie Red ' Ebf Fillies ' Nursery Stakes -LRB- Handicap -RRB- and finishing at 6pm with the Ladbrokes Handicap Stakes -LRB- 76-90 -RRB- .
But with hundreds of thousands of pounds of prize money up for grabs today alone , guests were keen to arrive as soon as the gates opened at 11am .
However female guests seemed more interested in the coveted Best Dressed prize , giving the Aintree girls a run for their money in satin strapless dresses , rainbow shoes and OTT feathered fascinators . They were surely keen to impress the ` fashion scouts ' sent out at dedicated locations between 12pm and 1pm .
Teaming their festive frocks with towering heels and lashings of lipstick , they were dressed up to the nines - with many opting to colour-coordinate their headgear with their outfits . One woman went as far as teaming her crimson dress and fascinator with her red hair .
And they wasted no time in getting into the party spirit , with guests sipping on plastic champagne flutes and Pimm 's from the hybrid bus / bar .
The four-day event - also known as the - Ladbrokes St Leger Festival is considered by locals as the showpiece of Doncaster 's social calendar , taking place from Wednesday September 7 through to Saturday September 10 .
There are four enclosures at the famous racecourse , with the Club 1776 Marquee Hospitality operating a strict dress code banning trainers , sportswear , jeans and denim - while men must wear a ` collared shirt ' .
On the entertainment front , guests can soak up the atmosphere at the champagne lawn and listen to the sounds of The Wanderland Band and Simply Strings who will be performing throughout the day .
First run in 1776 , the Ladbrokes St Leger is the last of the five British ` classics ' to be run each year and is worth a record # 700,000 in 2016 .
The four days of the Ladbrokes St Leger include Leger Legends Day , DFS Ladies Day , Doncaster Cup Gentlemen 's Day and Ladbrokes St Leger Day .






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Day two of the Doncaster St Leger meeting kicks off at the south Yorkshire racecourse today

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Ladies Day will see glamorous guests battle it out in the style stakes to win a ` bumper prize package '

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Lace proved a popular choice , with revellers matching their colourful frocks with their headgear

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First run in 1776 , the popular social event is worth a record # 700,000 in 2016 alone

