Elderly Jockey Competing at Glorious Goodwood, 60 Years Old and Counting
Charlotte Emery Makes Her Horse Racing Debut at Glorious Goodwood
Charlotte Emery, the 60-year-old Chief Marketing Officer of Entain, is set to make her horse racing debut today at Glorious Goodwood. Emery will be competing in the Markel Magnolia Cup, an annual race for amateur female jockeys known for its uniqueness and inspirational nature.
Emery's journey to the race track began in March 2025 after she rehabilitated from a serious pelvic injury sustained in November 2024. Her determination to prove that age should not limit ambition led her to participate in the race.
During her training, Emery worked with various UK trainers, including Grand National-winning Jonjo O’Neill, and received guidance from Coral racing ambassador Chris Hughes. She also received support from Joe Tizzard's yard, Alice Haynes, and the team at Coral Racing Club.
Emery's horse, Pop Star, is one of the Coral Racing Club horses. The pair has built a great partnership, and they are scheduled to race at 12:45pm.
Entain, Emery's employer, will donate the profits from the 1:20pm Coral Kincsem Handicap to the charity and underwrite a minimum donation of £50k. Emery is also raising additional money through her JustGiving page.
Emery's priority is to raise money for The King's Trust International Project Lehar, which is transforming the lives of young women in India. The project provides vocational and entrepreneurial training for girls from low-income backgrounds.
Interestingly, Pop Star and Emery have no prior experience in racing, and Emery had to learn everything from scratch. Despite this, she has been fitting early morning rides, gym sessions, and race training around her role at Entain.
The 2025 edition of the Markel Magnolia Cup involved a unique fashion collaboration, with jockey silks designed by London-based label RIXO. This blend of sport, style, and empowerment resonates with Emery, who started riding horses when she was just two years old.
Emery is the oldest rider in the Magnolia Cup, but her age has not deterred her from giving her best in the race. She aims to set an example for others, proving that age should not limit one's ambition.
[1] Charlotte Emery's horse racing debut at Glorious Goodwood, BBC News, 27 July 2025.
[2] Charlotte Emery, 60, to make horse racing debut at Goodwood, The Guardian, 26 July 2025.
[3] Charlotte Emery to ride in Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood, Racing Post, 26 July 2025.
[4] Charlotte Emery's Magnolia Cup silks designed by RIXO, Horse & Hound, 26 July 2025.
[5] Charlotte Emery, 60, to make horse racing debut in Magnolia Cup, ITV News, 26 July 2025.
With her debut at the Markel Magnolia Cup, Charlotte Emery, aged 60, marked her entrance into the world of horse racing at the prestigious event at Glorious Goodwood, also known for its racing events. Fitting training sessions around her job as the Chief Marketing Officer of Entain, Emery, who has no prior racing experience, will be competing on her horse Pop Star in the racing arena.
