A limited edition hat collection has been launched ahead of the horseracing season that begins tomorrow, October 30, inspired by prominent Bahraini themes, from pearls to oases and the desert.
The homegrown capsule entitled Hat in the Box features five distinctive designs: Oasis, Desert Drama, Pearl Route, Woven Sands and Spice Route, with each theme drawing inspiration from the colours, textures, heritage and character of the kingdom.
Each of the fascinators in the ensemble, conceived by Bahrain-based creative events company Out of the Box, has a unique story behind it, adding individuality and flair to race-day fashion.
“We wanted to celebrate the racing season in a way that was creative, stylish and a little different,” Out of the Box founder Sarva Velamuri told GulfWeekly.
“The idea was to give each hat its own personality, with a touch of local inspiration and a story to tell. After all, dressing up is part of the fun of a day at the races,” she added.
The Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) is gearing up for the highly anticipated launch this weekend of its Golden Jubilee season in 2026-27, running until April next year. The new campaign features a schedule of 30 race meetings, headlined by the His Majesty the King’s Cup Festival on March 4 and 5 and the His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s Cup Festival on January 28 and 29.
Bringing the vision to life is Indian expatriate and artist Joel Fernandes, who has also hand-painted equestrian-inspired ties, offering men their own stylish way to embrace the racing spirit.
Elaborating on the creative process, the creative entrepreneur noted that each theme has its own colour palette.
“You’ll see earthy, sandy tones alongside richer colours, interesting textures and decorative details. Some pieces are understated and elegant, while others are unapologetically bold,” Sarva revealed.
Award-winning jockey Rosie Jessop modelled two of the designs for GulfWeekly – Desert Drama and Oasis – at REHC in Riffa. The British national, who is originally from Essex, has been in Bahrain since 2018 and has been riding at REHC for business magnate and globally successful trainer Fawzi Nass. She has ridden multiple winners at the club, including victory in the Bapco Cup in the 2022-23 season, and won at Ascot in the UK in 2015.
More recently, she played a key role as an overseeing trainer for the winning team at the 2025-26 HM The King’s Cup.
“I’ve always had a huge passion for horses and racing and was brought up around it. My very first ride in the UK was a winner and when I rode at my first meeting here in Bahrain, I also rode a winner on that same horse whom I partnered with again later in the season. We went on to win the Crown Prince’s Cup,” she recounted.
Rosie revealed that there has been an increase in female attendance at the races in the kingdom over the years.
“I love that racing has a fashion side to it as well and it’s becoming more of a social event,” she added.
Among the many female race enthusiasts in Bahrain is South African events director Elizabeth Botha. The trained equine assistant facilitator experienced her first horse race in the kingdom, where she has lived for the last 17 years. However, she has loved horses for as long as she can remember.
“My dad bought me my very own horse and she was called Miss Elly. It was one of the happiest moments of my childhood.
“A few years ago, a group of friends and I decided it was time to experience a race day for ourselves, and we made a proper occasion of it. We dressed up, wore fabulous hats, and packed a picnic basket. It was such a fun day,” she remarked.
“I believe style should reflect your personality. For me, it is about looking elegant while feeling comfortable and confident, rather than simply following every trend. This year, I have a very special piece of jewellery that I’m looking forward to wearing. My brother and sister-in-law gave me a beautiful silver snaffle-bit jewellery piece and it inspired me to create my own beaded bracelet, using the snaffle-bit,” she added.
