Diamonds top style stakes at Fairyhouse

DIAMONDS really are a girl’s best friend, as a fashionable woman from Kildare can testify.

Aoidin Sammon from Kilcock collected the award for most stylish lady at Fairyhouse racecourse yesterday, and for her efforts took away a breathtaking 18-carat white gold diamond bracelet worth €7,000.

Ms Sammon wore what the judges described as “an amazing ensemble from high street stores”.

Her hat came from River Island, her dress was from Oasis and her shoes and gold coat were bought at Top Shop.

Runner-up Lisa Kennedy from St Margarets, Co Dublin received a voucher for €1,000 for ShabbyChic.

The judges had a tough task as style was really out in force yesterday for the 139th Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National, Ireland’s richest national hunt steeplechase with a prize-fund of €€250,000.

The competition was jointly sponsored by Powers Whiskey, Bouchon Diamonds and Time Pieces and ShabbyChic.

The Fairyhouse Easter Festival combines excellent competitive racing with top-class hospitality, and has long been synonymous with elegant fashion.

Among the judges for the Most Stylish Lady competition were Margaret Donnellan of Bouchon, Ireland AM presenter Sinéad Desmond and model Andrea Roche.

The judges were looking for sophistication, glamour, and that certain something special — and they found plenty of it on show at the racetrack.