Forget the track, all eyes were on Tom Cruise when he made a special appearance at Britain's Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival on Thursday -- perhaps rather aptly named "Ladies' Day."
Britain's glorious day at the races —
Forget the track, all eyes were on Tom Cruise when he made a special appearance at Britain's Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival on Thursday -- perhaps rather aptly named "Ladies' Day."
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The Hollywood actor presented the prizes for the Magnolia Cup (not to be confused with his 1999 film of the same name), the festival's charity race for female jockeys.
Britain's glorious day at the races —
The Hollywood actor presented the prizes for the Magnolia Cup (not to be confused with his 1999 film of the same name), the festival's charity race for female jockeys.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Image
It was a royal affair, with Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter Zara Philips also attending. Philips, daughter of Princess Anne, is a champion equestrian, winning a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
Britain's glorious day at the races —
It was a royal affair, with Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter Zara Philips also attending. Philips, daughter of Princess Anne, is a champion equestrian, winning a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
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Over 100,000 people attend the five-day racing festival each year, set on the lush rolling hills of Sussex in the south of England.
Britain's glorious day at the races —
Over 100,000 people attend the five-day racing festival each year, set on the lush rolling hills of Sussex in the south of England.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
"Ladies' Day is always very popular because it concentrates on the women, it gives them a good chance to get dressed up," says CNN's Winning Post presenter Francesca Cumani. "Racing is still quite male dominated, and this offers a different perspective."
Britain's glorious day at the races —
"Ladies' Day is always very popular because it concentrates on the women, it gives them a good chance to get dressed up," says CNN's Winning Post presenter Francesca Cumani. "Racing is still quite male dominated, and this offers a different perspective."
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"It's more relaxed than other British racing events such as Royal Ascot," adds Cumani. "But it's equally as fashionable -- you'll see the men in panama hats and women in vintage, floaty dresses."
Britain's glorious day at the races —
"It's more relaxed than other British racing events such as Royal Ascot," adds Cumani. "But it's equally as fashionable -- you'll see the men in panama hats and women in vintage, floaty dresses."
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Visitors show off their millinery masterpieces at the track ...
Britain's glorious day at the races —
Visitors show off their millinery masterpieces at the track ...
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... and some high and mighty footwear.
Britain's glorious day at the races —
... and some high and mighty footwear.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
"One of the biggest attractions is the weather -- Goodwood is held in summer with views across the rolling hills," says Cumani.
Britain's glorious day at the races —
"One of the biggest attractions is the weather -- Goodwood is held in summer with views across the rolling hills," says Cumani.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
That's not to say racing isn't also a big draw. Queen Elizabeth was hoping her horse Estimate, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (pictured), would emerge victorious in the Goodwood Cup. Sadly it wasn't to be as Cavalryman, ridden by <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F06%2F05%2Fsport%2Fepsom-derby-kieren-fallon-horse-racing%2Findex.html" target="_blank">comeback king Kieren Fallon</a>, won the race.
Britain's glorious day at the races —
That's not to say racing isn't also a big draw. Queen Elizabeth was hoping her horse Estimate, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (pictured), would emerge victorious in the Goodwood Cup. Sadly it wasn't to be as Cavalryman, ridden by comeback king Kieren Fallon, won the race.
Alan Crowhurst./Getty Images
The highlight of Saturday's finale is the Stewards' Cup, plus a Group One race that is part of the British Champions Series.
Britain's glorious day at the races —
The highlight of Saturday's finale is the Stewards' Cup, plus a Group One race that is part of the British Champions Series.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images