Introducing a new, regular column from Carlisle Racecourse general manager Molly Dingwall...

It has been an incredibly long 18 months for all of us, and we would like to thank you for your continued support and co-operation as we have learned to adapt to the new restrictions in place, while allowing racing to continue safely.

We are very grateful that our sport has been able to continue since June 2020 but with limited crowds attending, and prior to that racing behind closed doors, so we are delighted to be able to welcome you all back to our course to enjoy all the action. It hasn’t been the same without you.

Our next meeting is VL Aesthetics Ladies Night which takes place on Monday, August 2 and is the only raceday of the year in the UK dedicated exclusively to female jockeys.

It is one of our favourite meetings, and we are really looking forward to having an unrestricted crowd on site to enjoy the racing.

In addition to celebrating the female jockeys, we will recognise the local women who have gone above and beyond to serve our community over the past 18 months, with each of the seven races taking place on the night being named after them.

We wanted to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to those who have been the bedrock of our local community during the challenging times we have all endured.

Huge thanks must also go to our sponsors, VL Aesthetics. The team at VL Aesthetics spent a huge amount of time and effort in coming up with a final list of seven people to honour on Ladies Night. Given that so many people have gone well beyond the call of duty in recent months, this cannot have been an easy task.

News and Star: Carlisle Racecourse general manager Molly Dingwall (photo: David Hollins)Carlisle Racecourse general manager Molly Dingwall (photo: David Hollins)

We have an exciting evening of sport to look forward to on Monday with seven races on the card, beginning at 5.25pm.

The evening gives racing fans the opportunity to spot the next generation of stars both in and out of the saddle. We’re likely to see former top amateur jockey Joanna Mason on board a number of runners looking to make her mark at the meeting.

Jo is the granddaughter of trainer Mick Easterby, so is steeped in racing history and won’t be the only jockey with us on Monday who was born and bred in our sport.

Jockey Megan Nicholls, daughter of champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls, has been making huge strides is the last few seasons, and is enjoying another fantastic few months. We’re looking forward to welcoming her back on course on Monday.

VL Aesthetics Ladies Night gives these leading jockeys as well as those who are still learning their craft the chance to take centre stage and we are certainly in for a treat.

As well as an evening of fantastic sport, we will be keeping an eye out for the most glamorous racegoers in our Style Awards.

With great prizes on offer, we hope that everyone will get involved and celebrate being able to be together and dressed up once again.

After racing, the evening continues with BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills taking to the stage to perform one his popular sets.

Racegoers will need to buy their tickets in advance. For information and to buy tickets, go to www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/carlisle.