My Race Days

Torrential downpour at Newbury - can Arabians act on heavy going? Model Ceri explains

Luckily the torrentail rain only lasted about 15 minutes; so didn't jeopardise either the Arabian Racing or the Fashion Shoot with Robert Masciave and Sheradon Dublin. One of the models Ceri, used to work in a Racing Stables; and she explains to fellow model and Voice of the Races Eliza why Arabians may have found it difficult if the ground had become heavy. In an amusing interview; using her gloves as 'hoofs' ; she explains the difference in the Arabian's action as opposed to the Jumps thoroughbreds with which she used to work. Designer Robert Masciave on his first ever visit to the Races looks perplexed!

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About Eliza Cook

Hi! I'm Eliza. I am a Geographer by profession, and am currently studying for a PhD in Geography at Swansea University. I will be investigating ice core records from Greenland pretty soon. But you don't want to hear about those.

On top of this, during a year out, I fell into working as an in-house model for Agent Provocateur. Strange but true! This experience heightened my appreciation of fashion - especially the eclectic and eccentric fashions of the races.

I've been a racing fan for two years. I love all racing, but a day at the jumps is where I really feel the most excitement. Having grown up in Gloucestershire, with two great racecourses on the doorstep - Cheltenham and Chepstow - it is a wonder that I didn't find racing sooner.

I've been privileged to be a part of some of the 'behind the scenes' elements of racing, from photographing frosty morning breeze-ups to attending the post Cheltenham Festival jockeys' celebration in the Weighing Room!

I am thrilled to be a 'Voice of the Races'. To me, the most striking feature of racing is the accessibility of participants - and the fact that everybody attending has a part to play. A day at the races has it all; wonderful horses, spectacle and fashion, in an adrenaline soaked atmosphere where people from all walks of life come together in mutual appreciation of the sport.

I can't wait to tell you all about my experiences at the races, the people I meet and the adventures I have, as well as the fashions I encounter and the stories I uncover.

I hope you enjoy it!