Helena is first past the post in style stakes at Killarney ladies day

Blazing sunshine brought a sea of colour to Killarney Races for Ladies’ Day, with large numbers of fashionable women turning out.

Celebrity judge Sinead Desmond of TV3 said she struggled to pick a winner and eventually chose Kerry woman Helena Madigan as the Littlewoods Ireland best-dressed lady.

A total of 150 women were invited to the enclosure which was then reduced to a shortlist of ten.

“We could have picked 500 — the standard was that high,’’ said Ms Desmond, who was joined on the judging panel by stylist Sonia Mohlich and Barbara White, of Horse Racing Ireland.

“We’re seeing loads of colour and lots of hats by local designers — and Irish milliners are the best in the world,” she said. “People are also buying from regional boutiques and recycling as well.’’

Helena Madigan, a teacher at Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, stood out in a lilac fishtail dress with peplum hem from ASOS, with a generously-brimmed matching hat from her mother, Margaret.

The last time Margaret wore it was to a wedding with Helena’s late father, Christy, about six years ago. “So that hat is very special,’’ she said.

Originally from Rathmore, on the Cork/Kerry border, Helena lives in Killarney with her husband, Adrian Fitzgerald, and son Gavin, 2.

She received a €1,500 shopping spree as her prize out of which “there will be treats for everyone’’.

A delighted Helena, who regularly attends the races to admire the style, was surprised to find herself first past the post in the style stakes.

Meanwhile, according to the race company, Killarney Races has enjoyed the best year in its history, with increased attendances.

Also welcomed to the four-day August meeting was a party from Bordeaux Racecourse in France, led by its president, Jean-Michel Des Camps, and visitors from Kentucky Racecourse in the US.