Horse racing and fashion go hand-in-hand – with iconic annual meetings like Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood famed for racegoers making more of an effort to dress up – which is why top UK high street brand Debenhams and their latest venture with the UK Jockey Club racecourses looks a match made in heaven.
Jockey Club Racing Events To Get Debenhams Makeover, With Two-Year Partnership Deal
You can expect to see more Debenhams branding and sponsorship at the UK’s most prestigious horse racing events in the coming years and this summer – with the well-known high street and online department store hooking up with the Jockey Club.
This deal will include maximum exposure at the popular Newmarket July Festival, which will now be re-branded as ‘The Debenhams July Festival’
The three-day fixture, which is one of the most popular sports betting events in the UK, will run from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th July and features top UK Group One races like the Falmouth Stakes and July Cup.
Details of the partnership will see Debenhams having a leading presence at the Jockey Club tracks and will offer immersive race-day beauty experiences.
Racegoers first got a glimpse of the new partnership at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival in March when lucky horse racing fans were treated to luxury spa experiences whilst at Prestbury Park – the home of UK jump racing.
Betfred Derby Festival Also Included In Debenhams Jockey Club Deal
The biggest flat horse race in the UK will also be involved in the Debenhams/Jockey Club partnership – as the two-day Derby Festival at Epsom Downs will also see the fashion brand in attendance running side-by-side one of the biggest sports in the world.
Last year’s Epsom Derby was won by the Aidan O’Brien-trained City Of Troy, who also went onto win another Festival on the Debenhams radar – the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Therefore, Debenhams will be hoping for more of the same with this year’s winning Derby horse – and with The Lion In Winter heading the betting with the best UK sportsbooks, he could be this year’s Classic generation talking horse.
The Betfred Derby Festival will run over June 6th and 7th, with the Epsom Oaks run on the opening Friday.
Which Horse Racing Meetings Are Included In The Debenhams Partnership?
- 2025 Cheltenham Festival (March)
- 2025 Betfred Derby Festival (6-7 June)
- 2025 Coral-Eclipse (4-5 July)
- 2025 Newmarket July Festival (10-12 July)
- 2026 Randox Grand National Festival (9-11 April 2026)
2026 Grand National Meeting Will Also See A Debenhams Presence
Then, once the big high-fashion summer flat meetings are over, the attention will turn back to the hedge-hoppers for this Debenhams/Jockey Club deal – and the biggest jumps race on the planet – the Aintree Grand National.
In 2026 the race will be run on Saturday 11th April, but the three-day fixture will get ‘under starters orders’ on Thursday 9th April.
Top trainer Willie Mullins has won the last two runnings of the Grand National – including in 2025 with Nick Rockett (watch below), who is expected to be back for more in 2026 and is already popular with the UK betting sites.
Irish-based Mullins, who has also won the British trainers’ championship for the last two seasons, also had the first three home in the Aintree Grand National.
Racing fans at Aintree can expect more Debenhams promotions over the three-day meeting – including Spa day experiences and interactive beauty moments at their pop-up outlets on the Liverpool track.
What Racegoers Can Expect From The Debenhams Deal:
- Interactive Beauty Bars: Test out leading beauty products from L’Oréal Luxe- Lancome, YSL, Prada, Armani and Viktor + Rolf – plus get beauty tips to put the finishing touches to your race-day appearance.
- Hair & Make-Up Touch-Up Zones: Get in touch with the latest hair and make-up offerings from Debenhams and tips on how to refresh your look to keep you looking A1 all day.
- Champagne & Chill: Pop open some bubbles while getting stuck into mini beauty sessions that will see you looking and feeling a ‘winner’.
- Picture-Perfect Moments: Experience a Debenham’s Day Spa, featuring Instagram-worthy backdrops scenes that are inspired by Debenhams’ signature style.
Dan Finley, CEO at Debenhams, said:
“This partnership with The Jockey Club is about uniting two iconic British brands with a shared legacy of elegance and excitement. Horse racing is the perfect stage to showcase Debenhams’ unique blend of style and sophistication, with Coast leading the way in premium occasion wear. Our Day Spas, supported by L’Oréal, will give racegoers the chance to relax, refresh, and feel their best while embracing the glamour and thrill that make the sport unforgettable.”
Jack Royle, Head of Partnerships – Sales at The Jockey Club said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Debenhams to The Jockey Club family as an Associate Partner. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to offering memorable experiences for racegoers, blending the excitement of racing with style and first-class service. Debenhams will play a key role in enriching the fan experience – whether through digital channels in the build-up to race days or immersive activations at our most iconic events.”
Andy is an experienced betting and gambling journalist with over 20 years industry experience. He brings an excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and industry gambling news but is mainly regarded as horse racing expert within the betting world.
