72-year-old racing enthusiast to line up in Markel Magnolia Cup

Caroline Miller, a 72-year-old racing enthusiast and supporter of rehoming of racehorses, is to feature among the riders in this year's twelfth Markel Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on August 4.

Other riders will include TV personality Olivia Bowen plus Maryam Al Jaber, a State Lawyer in Qatar and the first Qatari female trainer of camels.

Since its inception, the philanthropic event, contested over five-and-a-half-furlongs of the Goodwood straight, has raised a phenomenal £2.1 million. A record year of fundraising was achieved in 2022 accounting for over £324,000 which was donated to The Brilliant Breakfast.

This year, the Markel Magnolia Cup will support Education Above All’s (EEA) Educate A Child programme.

All net proceeds will go to a project in Malawi that provides education and support for children most at-risk of dropping out of primary education through a joint project between Education Above All and CAMFED.

The project aims to empower thousands of girls enabling them to overcome barriers to accessing and remaining in school. At the centre of the project is mentorship and local leadership allowing individuals to benefit from quality primary education inclusive of sexual health education, life skills, and well-being sessions, intensive out-of-school support for those facing the most pressure to drop out, and psychosocial support.

Al Jazi Hasan, International Engagement Manager at EAA commented; “We are honoured that Goodwood has chosen us as the beneficiary of the Markel Magnolia Cup. Collaborating at such an exciting event in the British horse-racing calender allows all involved to continue the important work of providing quality education for all children, which EAA continues to do through its projects around the world. In the UK, we work closely with Educate A Child International.”

In the tradition of the race and its values, Goodwood selects a well-known female-led fashion brand to create a collection of bespoke silks for the jockeys to wear, and in the past has welcomed Morvarid Sahafi, Hermes, Kate Moss, Liberty, Mulberry, and Vivienne Westwood to the Magnolia Cup team. This year’s beautiful designs have been curated by iconic fashion designer Alice Temperley, founder and designer of fashion label Temperley London.

She said: “I am thrilled to play a part in the Markel Magnolia Cup, supporting such a wonderful initiative – Education Above All. One of my great loves is horses, so it seems fitting to design bespoke Temperley silks to empower the female jockeys.”

A decade ago, the race was conceived to overcome the boundaries within the sport and, more specifically, horseracing, creating an inclusive community in support of women, their abilities, and well-being.

Simon Wilson, president of Markel International, said: “We are proud to support the Magnolia Cup once again this year. This unique event plays an important role in raising awareness of critical issues to us such as diversity, equality, inclusion, and female empowerment. Markel is a company born from the belief that people should be able to see the future for its opportunities, and not just its challenges.

"That’s why we are especially thrilled that this year’s race will benefit Education Above All and supports a project that aids girls’ education in Malawi.”

Caroline Miller - 72-year-old, racing enthusiast and supporter of rehoming of racehorses

Dr. Laura Toogood – Digital expert, businesswoman, media commentator and author

Eliza McCalmont – Work rider for George Scott

Emma Russell – Jewellery Designer

Lyn Comerford – Director of Strategy and Operation at Markel

Maryam Al Jaber - State Lawyer in Qatar and the first Qatari female trainer of Camels

Milica Dusanovic – Civil Servant and Naval Reserve Officer

Olivia Bowen – Television Personality

Olivia Kennedy – Owner of cleaning business, single mother and member of Cool Ridings

Roya Nikkhah – Royal Editor for The Sunday Times, journalist and broadcaster

Saffron Oliver – E-commerce and development for family business Tayto Crisps

Tickets, dining and hospitality are on sale for the Qatar Goodwood Festival, visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more.