Winner of charity horse race at Goodwood celebrates ‘best day’

An insurance underwriter said winning an all-women charity horse race at the Glorious Goodwood festival had been the “best day” of her life.

Sophie Forsyth was among 12 women to compete in the Markel Magnolia Cup at Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester, West Sussex, on Thursday.

The race, which features all novice riders, was raising money for The King’s Trust International’s Project Lehar.

Ms Forsyth said: “It is unbelievable. I have dreamed of this.”

She added: “I am 29, and I turn 30 in August, but this is the best day of my life.

“I was in full concentration from the start, thinking, ‘what’s the next step, don’t do anything wrong’. I’m exhausted now.”

Trainer Ed de Giles, who supplied Woodcote Girl – the horse ridden by the race winner at Qatar Goodwood Festival – said Ms Forsyth rode him “brilliantly”.

“The horse was perfect for it [this race],” he added.

The other amateur riders included a police officer, an artist, a social media influencer and Lois Logan, an up-and-coming show jumper and daughter of TV host Gabby Logan and former rugby player Kenny Logan.

Ms Logan, who was unplaced on Spirit of Ecstasy, said: “It was over so quickly and such a thrill. The horse was incredible and put up such a fight against strong opposition.”

Her mother, Gabby Logan, added: “It is over so quick and like being a sprinter. But all those 4:40am starts and the months of physical training have been worth it.

“It is such a different style of riding to what she has grown up doing. She has loved it.”

The Magnolia Cup has raised more than £2.7m since its inception in 2011.

This year’s proceeds will go to Project Lehar, an initiative that offers vocational training, entrepreneurship and life skills courses for girls and young women from low-income backgrounds in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.