Racing's aim to attract new fans took a light-hearted turn when an owner brought her pet to the races.
ITV viewers were left baffled as they watched the woman talk about her cockatiel's love for the sport. The bird, placed in a special carrier, was positioned on a stone wall during Saturday's meeting at Goodwood.
ITV Racing presenter Luke Harvey spotted the unusual sight and went over to have a chat – with both of them. Bizarrely the white bird, with yellow feathers on its head and some orange colouring, was named Peanut.
"Madam, what on earth are you doing?" joked Harvey.
"Peanut loves horse racing," said the woman. "So I thought I'd bring her to the Stewards Cup. Why not? It's the only time she's quiet. She's eight. I've had her since she was six weeks old. I love it (racing). My dad got me into it, he's at home watching.
"I said are you coming? And he said 'no."
Harvey, now a presenter and pundit, described it as "a first" at the location where he brought viewers a series of interviews throughout the five-day fixture. The woman corrected him to confirm Peanut was female – and amusingly said she was happy to see the former jockey.
"She loves you. I think you must have something about the birds!" said the racegoer.
A close-up of Peanut, in a clip posted on social media, showed her flicking her head and moving sideways.
"I'm married madam!" chuckled Harvey.
"She's gutted!" said the woman.
Peanut and her owner watched the seven-race card, which featured the £250,000 Stewards' Cup.
Commanche Falls became the first horse in more than 50 years to scoop back-to-back renewals. The result came as a shock to most punters, as the Michael Dods-trained sprinter was 25-1 in the betting.
His jockey Connor Beasley said: “Commanche Falls seems to come alight when he comes down here. It’s a long way from home but he seems to like the stableyard and the track.
“The race has fallen apart in front of me and he is one of those who only does what he has to when he hits the front."
Tom Marquand, banned for three days on Friday after causing interference on the way to winning, raced to a 28-1 double. Many A Star (8-1) just held on in the Coral Stewards' Sprint Handicap, while Sea La Rosa (9-4) stayed on best in the Group 2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.
