IT may be the best-dressed ladies who take centre-stage at Redcar Racecourse this Saturday – but glittering prizes are also up for grabs for well-presented stable staff.

Ladies’ Day is one of the highlights of Redcar’s 18-race calendar, with the Best-Dressed Lady and Best Hat competitions taking place in the winner’s enclosure.

But Redcar has come up with a creative new twist in the paddock this year to mark the beginning of Racing Staff Week.

Redcar traditionally gives prizes to stable staff for the best turned-out horse in every race. But, on Saturday, there will also be an additional prize in every race for the best-dressed member of the stable staff!

Ladies’ Day sponsor, Market Cross Jewellers, have already kindly contributed an array of goodies from their shops as prizes for the Best-Dressed Lady and Best Hat contests.

And, in support of Racing Staff Week, Market Cross is also donating prizes for the best-dressed stable staff – with sparkly Ted Baker earrings for female winners, and Tommy Hilfiger or Unique leather bracelets for male winners.

In addition, Redcar will be providing the member of staff responsible for the winning horse of each race with a box of Polo mints to keep their equine charges happy.

Amy Fair, Redcar’s general manager, said: “Naturally, our main focus on Saturday is Ladies’ Day, which is always a lovely opportunity for the ladies of the area to dress up in all their finery.

“But the fact that Ladies’ Day coincides with the start of Racing Staff Week gave us the opportunity to do something a bit different for the unsung heroes of our sport.

“We’re not expecting them to walk round the paddock in ‘mother of the bride’ hats, fascinators, and flowing gowns, but being well turned out, alongside their horses, could earn them a lovely keepsake.”

Racing Staff Week, led by Racing Welfare, runs from Saturday June 24 to Sunday July 1, and is racing’s annual celebration of all the people who make the sport possible.