Even though I am having a supreme time here in NYC, I am totally out of the loop with most things Irish and Fab. This would present a Major problem if it wasn't for some wonderful, not to mention super glam gals whom I can live vicariously through! Today the smart, talented and lovely Miss Laura Toogood is having us along for a day at the races! Enjoy xoxo!
Laura Toogood and Gillian Fitzpatrick Photo by Leon Farrell
Goffs Millions Race Day On Sunday I attended the Goffs Millions Race Day and I was lucky enough to be a guest in the Brown Thomas marquee. I left Dublin at noon with some friends in a taxi destined for the Curragh. The day is a highlight in the Irish racing calendar as it plays host to Europe’s richest two year old races. The prize for the Most Stylish Lady is also lucrative, with Brown Thomas offering €20,000 to the winner.
We arrived at the Curragh to a friendly greeting from Kennedy PR, who were organising the hospitality on behalf of Brown Thomas. A champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch was offered prior to the first race. Several familiar faces attended the event including Ronan and Yvonne Keating, the former standing out from the crowd in black, square-framed vintage sunglasses. Amanda Byram wore a stunning couture dress with striking shoulder pads and joined publisher Michael O’Doherty on judging duty along with Stacey O’Donnell of Brown Thomas. Alan Hughes attended as did fellow TV3 presenter, Lisa Cannon who was on reporting duty for Xpose. Lisa dressed for the occasion donning a glamorous beige and brown headpiece to match her dress. 
Photo by Leon Farrell
After lunch, we positioned ourselves by the windows at the front of the marquee and watched as a steady flow of ladies arrived, many strutting past the parade ring in an attempt to catch the eye of the judges. There were several stunning outfits on display with some contenders opting for a high impact factor by choosing attention-grabbing ensembles, and others attempting to achieve a more subtle effect through various eye-catching styles. Purple was the colour of the day, with the regal shade boldly on show, often teamed with cream or yellow, and on some occasions worn without any interference. Tall fascinators also proved popular and the coordinated brolly protocol was followed regularly. Many of those vying for the honours of Most Stylish Lady clearly spent considerable time synchronising their outfits in impeccable detail and inspiration had been taken from various fashion decades. The top thirty ladies were invited to join us in the Brown Thomas marquee. Peacock inspired attire had obviously proved successful with the judges as two of the shortlisted ladies opted for this theme. Contenders who had taken inspiration from specific fashion eras were also dutifully rewarded with a place on the shortlist; one eye-catching outfit was a red reflection on fashion in the 1920’s.
It was Elaine Bennett’s simple, but striking black and cream dress, with matching black accessories that triumphed in the fashion stakes and secured the generous prize fund.
Winner! Elaine Bennett and admirer
Photo by Leon Farrell
The race day was thoroughly enjoyable from both a fashion and equestrian perspective and for those who have never attended I would recommend it as a fun day out that can be enjoyed with a partner, family or friends. Many ladies spent a large sum of money on their outfits, but those who are on a budget are certainly not excluded from the fashion fun. An accompanying friend purchased one new item for the day; a stylish hat, costing less that five euro from a local charity shop. My personal choice was a Guess dress that I purchased over a year ago and which hasn’t had an outing for as long. It had black and white detail so I teamed it with a black cardigan adding a belt to create definition. It is crucial to keep the weather in mind when dressing for the racing and considering it is nearly October I wanted to make sure I was warm enough to spend some time outside, so I wore black tights with Kurt Geiger closed-toe heels.
Often people consider the hardest part of putting an outfit together for racing, is choosing what to wear on your head. There is a misconception that hats and fascinators are expensive; they might well be pricey to buy, but hiring them for the occasion proves an affordable option. I sourced a suitable black and white hat from Foxrock Fillies, which is a hat hire shop ironically located in Blackrock. I picked up my chosen hat three days prior to the race meet and was given six days ‘borrowing time’. Foxrock Fillies have a vast array of hats in all shapes, colours and sizes, and also offer some stunning fascinators and accessories, so it is definitely worth popping in for a browse.
With my equestrian background I appreciate the action on the day so I had a small flutter and backed four horses in the early races, but sadly my luck was not in. For those who think they don’t have enough knowledge to become involved in the betting, a summary of the form is offered on the race card, so after a quick read, it is worth chancing an educated guess. The parade ring offers race goers an opportunity to admire the runners and for those who want to get close to the action it is easy to stand near the rails.
If you have never been racing before it is definitely worth considering attending some of the major meets. Further information, including details regarding various Ladies Days, is available on www.goracing.ie.
Special thanks to the friends I attended with for a fabulous day, and to Brown Thomas for their wonderful hospitality.
For more covereage of the Fab Happenings check out The Independent!
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