Celebrated fashion presenter for RTÉ and Channel 4 racing Marietta Doran added glitz and glamour to the Best Dressed Lady competition at the Midlands National last Friday at Kilbeggan Races.
Blessed with the weather, Marietta accompanied by Dundrum Town Centre stylist Fiona Hayes had their work cut out for them to pick a standout winner in a crowd of very glamorous ladies.
Wineport Lodge and Dundrum Town Centre sponsored the Best Dressed Lady event for the third year in a row and presented the worthy winner Lisa McGowan with a prize in excess of €2,000 including a €1,000 shopping spree at Dundrum Town Centre and a ‘woman of style weekend’ at the luxurious Wineport Lodge in Glasson. Lisa was lost for words when presented with her prize, saying that she couldn’t believe what was happening, having only decided to attend the races that day.
After being announced as the winner, Lisa from Tullamore, said, “I’m just so thrilled to have won. I still can’t believe it. I was invited into the judging marquee before but I’ve never been a finalist. It’s such an honour to be chosen as the winner - all of the ladies look fab! I’m really looking forward to staying in the Wineport Lodge and I can’t wait to go on a shopping spree in Dundrum town centre without having to spend any money.”
The winning outfit from Electric Candy in Tullamore, was a stunning white dress with sheer panelling and lace detailing, with pillar box red accessories and a headpiece by milliner Pamela Curtin. Lisa’s good friend and beautician Olivia Murray had a job to convince her to wear red lipstick but it has to be said it was the cherry on the top of cake, a colour Lisa now feels is lucky for her.
“We certainly had our work cut out for us today, the style at Kilbeggan Races today was among some of best I’ve ever judged, and choosing only one winner certainly was a difficult decision. What an outstanding line-up of midland fashionistas!” said seasoned Best Dressed judge Marietta.
Ray Byrne and Jane English, of Wineport Lodge hosted the Ladies Day marquee with a Bollinger Champagne reception for over 100 ladies shortlisted for the Best Dressed Lady competition. Wineport’s head chef Cathal Moran created some mouth-watering canapés - St Tola goat’s cheese parfait; pickled beetroot and walnut Hoi Sin pork rillette, with sesame and carrot slaw; and a Killmore Quay crab and shrimp mayonnaise, with asparagus and tomato chutney... .and all washed down with some deliciously chilled Bollinger!
Ladies Day at Kilbeggan has become the Midlands style event of the year with a full programme of entertainment for all the family including live music, children’s entertainment as well as the glamour of the Best Dressed Lady and the quality racing.
