PICS: Third time’s the charm for best-dressed Alex at the Galway Races

Racing took a back seat in Galway yesterday as folk with a passion for fashion flocked to Ballybrit.

Dickie bows and hats of every shape and size abounded as champagne flowed and racing seemed a million miles away. Thursday is about fashion. Even the men get in on the act nowadays, with one chap kitted out in knee-length riding boots. There was even a touch of rock ’n‘ roll with Ronnie Wood’s horse Sandymount Duke romping home in the fifth race. Unfortunately for Rolling Stones fans, the man himself was not in attendance.

Stars have been in relatively short supply in Galway in recent years but TV’s finest regularly make the trip west for a day of punting. He might be a Kerryman, but Dáithí Ó Sé is practically an honourary Galwegian, he’s so regular a visitor.