LEOPARDSTOWN HAD its very own Dragons' Denyesterday. A box in the main stand overlooking the racecourse became a den to four dragons.
Norah Casey hosted fellow Dragons Bobby Kerr, Gavin Duffy and Niall O’Farrell. The new dragon, Seán O’Sullivan, was not there as he was in America.
O’Farrell was enjoying his day at the races. He was working hard over Christmas: “I wore an apron on Christmas Day and cooked a turkey and a goose.”
Casey owns Harmonia publications and publishes Irish Tatlerwhich was sponsoring the best-dressed man and woman prizes.
She said they were “looking for someone who dressed with a nod to the times that are in it”. She practised what she preached and wore a check cape which she bought in TK Maxx and teamed it with a DKNY top underneath.
Gillian Walsh – wife of jockey Ruby – was one of the judges for the best-dressed prizes. She said, “I’m not looking for open toes. It’s the winter, so a nice winter coat, a felt hat and thick tights.” Presumably it was the ladies she was referring to.
She dressed for the occasion in a red Valentino winter coat from Ruby Rouge boutique in Gorey.
Sonia Lennon from RTÉ's Off The Railswas also judging the competition for best-dressed man and woman. She went for the "multi-generational look".
“I’m wearing my granny’s fur stole, my mum’s hat, and a trouser suit from Costume.”
There was definitely a nod to Downton Abbeyin the style stakes, as the Edwardian look seems to be in. Writer Julian Fellowes would have no problem finding extras already wearing fur stoles.
Louise Allen, a dental receptionist from Slane, Co Meath, who works in Drogheda, scooped the top prize. She was shocked. “I go to the races all the time. I never expected this.”
Lennon explained how Allen had impressed the judges. “She dressed for herself and didn’t dress to win” in a grey coat by Karl Donoghue which her partner bought her for Christmas. Her boots were from Karen Millen and her hat from Fran & Jane.
The inaugural best-dressed man award went to Barth Bialek who is from Poland, lives in Kildare and works as a store manager for Oxfam in Cork. He wore a Christian Dior scarf and tie, William Hunt red trousers, a cashmere jumper from Monaghans in the Hibernian Mall and a sports jacket from Hackett.
“I love tweedy outfits, country wear and heritage chic,” he said.
Davy Russell won the first race on the Willie Mullins-trained Make Your Mark for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. O’Leary’s wife Anita collected the prize. Before she went up on the stand she took off her red hat and handed it to her husband to hold. There didn’t appear to be a baggage fee.
The main race of the day, the Lexus Steeplechase, was won by Tony McCoy on JP McManus’s Synchronised. McManus was delighted, and congratulated his trainer, Jonjo O’Neill, in the winners’ enclosure.
Also enjoying the races were Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins who were guests of Woodies; publican Charlie Chalk in a trademark pinstripe suit; Brian Ormond and Pippa O'Connor; comedian Barry Murphy from Après Match; and Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett, who was stewarding for the third day.