Lauren Price is a versatile British fashion designer and Social Media Management at ITV Racing & World Horse Racing, and is one of the amateur horse riders taking the saddle in the five-and-a-half-furlong Magnolia Cup at Goodwood on Thursday 1st August.
The Magnolia Cup is a prominent charity horse race held annually at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, also known as “Glorious Goodwood.” This race features amateur female jockeys, many of whom are novices to horse racing. The event is known for its focus on empowering women and raising funds for various charitable causes.
Over the years, it has supported organizations like West Sussex based “My Sister’s House,” which works to improve the welfare and well-being of women, particularly in vulnerable situations.
Lauren Price was interview by Goodwood Festival trophy makers Inkerman London recently, and here is an exclusive copy of the interview. You can donate to Lauren’s Just Giving page to help a great charity.
Interviewer: Hi Lauren, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview with Inkerman London, all about your story and journey riding in the Magnolia Cup.
I’ve got a few questions to run through. Have you ever ridden before you started training for the Magnolia Cup?
Lauren Price: Yes, I had. I rode ponies when I was younger; my sister and I shared a 13.2 and a 14.2 pony. I might have ridden a horse once or twice before, but never a racehorse, so it was completely new to me. Having some riding experience gave me a bit of self-confidence, which perhaps I shouldn’t have had, but it was a good starting point.
Interviewer: Well done for taking on such a challenge! What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey?
Lauren Price: There have been quite a few challenges, to be honest. The fitness test was particularly tough. You have to pass the amateur fitness test to get a licence, which includes four-minute planks, three-minute wall sits, and some intense arm exercises. I had to pass it twice! It was quite challenging as I wasn’t a gym person before, but with the help of my personal trainer, James from X-Compete, I managed to get through it.
The riding itself was another major challenge. It’s a completely different style from anything I’d learned before. Everything is different, from holding the reins to tacking up, timing, and even how you sit on the horse. The saddle and stirrup lengths are different too. When I started, I didn’t even know how to stop or go faster. It was a real learning curve.
Mentally, it was tough because I’m used to doing things I’m good at. In school and university, you tend to choose subjects you’re strong in. This was something new and challenging, and I struggled at first. I was pretty bad at it initially, which was hard to deal with.
Interviewer: That leads to my next question. What advice would you give to your younger self about stepping out of your comfort zone?
Lauren Price: I’d say to always say yes to new opportunities. It’s been great advice for me. Any work experience, job opportunities, freelance work, or even this race—if it sounds exciting and like it will help you grow, go for it. This has been a huge challenge, but it’s been so rewarding.
Interviewer: That’s fantastic advice. Well done! What’s one thing you’d have done differently in your career so far?
Lauren Price: There are definitely a few things. I worked hard to get a lot of internships, which led to some great jobs in fashion, working with brands like Philip Treacy, Anya Hindmarch, and Fairfax & Favour. But I wish I had started freelancing earlier. I began freelancing at 25, and it’s given me so much freedom. I’ve met amazing people and travelled a lot, which I love. It’s a brave step to take, but it’s worth believing in yourself and going for it.
Interviewer: Brilliant! If you could win one racing trophy, which one would it be?
Lauren Price: It would have to be the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. I work in horse racing now, handling social media, and that week is always so special. The Gold Cup is one of the best races, and it would be an incredible achievement to win it.
Interviewer: Excellent choice! Finally, as we at Inkerman also do a lot of gifts, if you had to give a gift from our site, what would you choose?
Lauren Price: I love your bespoke pieces, especially the game sets and the beautiful wedding gift sets. I’m attending a wedding the Saturday after Goodwood, and I think those would make fantastic gifts.
Interviewer: Wonderful! Thank you so much, Lauren. It’s been great chatting with you. We wish you all the best for the race and hope you enjoy every moment. It will be a special memory.
Lauren Price: Thank you so much for having me on and supporting Goodwood and my chosen charity, My Sister’s House. We’re raising money for them this year, and it’s a cause close to my heart. I’m really looking forward to it.
Interviewer: Thank you, Lauren. We look forward to watching the race. Best of luck!
You can watch the interview here:
Who’s racing the Magnolia Cup 2024?
- Aamilah Aswat – Riding a Dream Academy Graduate
- Amy Moring – Entrepreneur and Founder of Food Brand, Hunter & Gather
- Rebecca Haryett – Lead Physiotherapist in the British Army
- Ellen Barber – International Heptathlete
- Eleanor Franchitti – Global Head of Business Development at Caxton Associates
- Harriet Hemmings – Rural Chartered Surveyor
- Lady Katherine Lindsay – Property and Projects Manager, Congenital Abnormality Survivor
- Lauren Price – Social Media at ITV Racing & World Horse Racing
- Lizzie Jelfs – Leading Australian Racing Presenter
- Matilda Butcher – Performance Marketing at Harrods
- Sophie Pumfrett – Successful Model
What is the Markel Magnolia Cup?
The Qatar Goodwood Festival, also known as Glorious Goodwood, is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 30 July to Saturday, 3 August 2024. This prestigious event is renowned for its high-quality flat racing, featuring notable races such as the Goodwood Cup, Sussex Stakes, and Nassau Stakes.
Among these events, the Markel Magnolia Cup, scheduled for Thursday, 1 August 2024, stands out as a unique all-female charity race. This year marks the 13th running of the race, which continues to support significant causes and inspire with its lineup of dedicated amateur riders. The event is a key part of the festival, raising funds for charities like My Sister’s House and promoting the empowerment of women in horse racing.
Who are Inkerman London?
Inkerman are the official trophy supplier for Goodwood Racecourse and are now entering into their sixth year. For the 2024 Festival, they have provided over 100 trophies for horse owners, trainers, and jockeys. They also make sporting trophies for other key competitions and events.
