Well-heeled keep eyes on the prize, of course

HORSES were low on the list of priorities as the best and worst of fashion turned out for Ladies’ Day.

From well before the announcement of the winner of the coveted prize, groups of champagne flute-wielding women were jostling for position around the judges’ tent hoping to be noticed and shortlisted.

Competitive women vying for the Best Dressed Lady is an intimidating sight for most men, so it was no surprise that much of the racecourse was a testosterone-free zone.

There were plenty of front-runners, but Suzanne McGarry from Strandhill in Sligo eventually got the verdict. Ms McGarry wore a red Vintage dress accessorised with a Lina Stein-designed, dome-shaped, cream and black hat embellished with pearls and handmade silk roses.

A regular visitor to Ballybrit, the Sligo woman said she “never expected” to take the top prize.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have won. I come here every year and this is the first time I have won. I never expected to win.

“There is so much style around today so it’s a real honour. There will be some champagne drank tonight, that’s for sure,” she said.

The prize for looking the best is nothing to be sneezed at either.

Ms McGarry took a magnificent prize of a one-carat diamond solitaire pendant valued at €8,500, a shopping spree worth €1,500 in Anthony Ryans in Galway and €1,000. She also received a Lancome presentation gift hamper worth over €500 and a corporate hospitality package for Galway Races October bank holiday racing festival.

Sporting a hat designed by Galway milliner Edel Ramburg, Sieglinde Mullers from Moycullen in Galway was the winner of the Best Hat competition.

Unsurprisingly, some of Ireland’s modelling set were knocking around Ballybrit, judging various competitions and generally enjoying themselves.

Xposé presenter Glenda Gilson professed herself very impressed with the style on display.

“All the girls look fab, it’s great and I’m delighted to be in the middle of it all. I saw a lot of yellow which I’m not convinced is great with the Irish skin tone but it’s definitely the colour of choice.

“What is particularly great is that a lot of women have used their heads this year in that they have recycled old dresses, bought shoes and bags out of Penneys and even made their own hats,” she said.

Model agency owner Andrea Roche certainly seemed to be enjoying the sunshine yesterday.

“I’m having a great day. The style is amazing. I love coming to Galway, there’s always a great crowd here,” she said.

One person who failed to pick up any prize was a woman who had a hat made of human hair.

It takes all sorts to make up a Ladies’ Day.

As for the racing, the bookies had a big result in the big race after both favourites were beaten. A staggering €1.1 million was matched on Betfair for the race at a Befair SP of 48-1.

The bookies were also suffering as hordes of punters latched on to the Dermot Weld bandwagon — the Curragh maestro had a four-timer yesterday to equal his record of 11 winners last year and, amazingly, there are still three days to go.

“Dermot may single-handedly break the bookies, it’s as simple as that. The industry will be in serious trouble if his success is unrelenting.

“He’s left us black and blue this Ladies’ Day,” said Hayley O’Connor of Ladbrokes bookmakers.

Judging by the height of the heels on show, some of the ladies will feel that pain today.