Veteran racehorse Morestead models the world's first authentic Harris Tweed suit designed for a racing horse, which has been specially commissioned by William Hill to celebrate the opening of this year's Cheltenham Festival. Issue date: Monday March 14, 2016.
The tweed suit was designed by former Alexander McQueen apprentice Emma Sandham-King and unveiled by 20-time champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy. Statistician Dr Geoff Ellis found that on average 200 miles and seven furlongs (321.5km) of tweed are worn every year by spectators every year at Cheltenham Festival, which is enough to stretch from Cheltenham to Ireland. The festival kicks off on Tuesday 15th March 2016. Picture caption should read: Tim Anderson / Taylor Herring
Tweed is popular attire among racegoers, particularly during Cheltenham Festival, which kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday 15 March). But did you ever think you would see a horse dressed in a three-piece suit?
To celebrate the start of the four-day showcase at the Gloucestershire racecourse, a bespoke Harris Tweed equine masterpiece was created — the first of its kind in the world.
Modelled by the Brendan Powell-trained veteran Morestead, the pièce de résistance was unveiled by 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy — who was also kitted out in tweed for the occasion.
“I have many fond memories of racing at the Festival among the sea of tweed-wearing racegoers,” remarked AP. “I’ll be watching from the side-lines for the first time this year and rather than strapping on my jockey silks, I’ll be joining the punters and hopefully tipping a few winners.”
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Former jockey A.P. McCoy unveils the worldÕs first authentic Harris Tweed suit designed for a racehorse, which has been specially commissioned by William Hill to celebrate the opening of this yearÕs Cheltenham Festival. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday March 14, 2016. The tweed suit was designed by former Alexander McQueen apprentice Emma Sandham-King and modelled by veteran racehorse Morestead. Statistician Dr. Geoff Ellis found that on average 200 miles and seven furlongs (321.5km) of tweed are worn every year by spectators every year at Cheltenham Festival, which is enough to stretch from Cheltenham to Ireland. The festival kicks off on Tuesday 15th March 2016. Picture caption should read: David Parry/PA Wire
(Image credit: PA)
Bookmaker William Hill commissioned the equine outfit, which also includes a white shirt, tie and flat cap.
Former Alexander McQueen apprentice, Emma Sandham-King, was tasked with creating the custom-made suit. It took four weeks to create and comprises 18 metres of Harris Tweed — 10 times as much fabric as an equivalent human outfit.
“Creating the world’s first tweed suit for a horse has been one of the biggest challenges that I have faced in my career as a designer,” said Emma. “Some models can be real divas, but Morestead was calm and a pleasure to work with. Tweed is undergoing a massive revival and this year’s Cheltenham Festival we expect to see the most tweed worn since the 1960s.”
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Statistics have revealed that the most popular tweed item among male racegoers at the Festival was a tweed jacket with one in three men — that’s 31% — selecting it as their attire. Among the female racing fans, 28% of ladies opted for a tweed coat when at Prestbury Park.
So as if we didn’t already know, the stats show it’s not about the fascinators and stilettos when it comes to jump racing — it’s all about the tweed.
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