Jockeys not the only ones swapping their colours

THE glitz and glamour of the race was more than just a side note at Cheltenham for day two, as thousands arrived in bold dresses for the annual Ladies’ Day.

As usual, the Irish contingent didn’t let the side down.

Racing fanatic Niamh Flynn (35), from Claregalway, Co Galway, insisted that the dressing-up aspect was just an added bonus to the actual horse racing.

Ms Flynn, who works with race horse auctioneer Tattersalls, married horsetrainer Henry Spiller only eight weeks ago. She said she attends so many race meetings that she and her pals swap outfits to keep their styles fresh.

The Galway girl was wearing a red coat and pink dress from Zara, a hat designed by Kildare-based Julie Kenny, and shoes from Amy Huberman’s Bourbon line.

“My husband is a trainer so I’m a regular at the races,” she said.

“My interest is purely for the races though, it wouldn’t be for the fashion stakes.

“We just enjoy getting dressed up and we chop and change outfits with each other too, because when you go to as many race meetings as we do it can be difficult to have so many outfits.”

To prove she is a racing purist at heart, Ms Flynn revealed she has even ridden a horse at Cheltenham – as part of a charity race on St Patrick’s Day seven years ago. Asked if she had any winners on Ladies’ Day, she said she didn’t but she was delighted for the Irish trainers. “I’d be supporting Gordon Elliott so I’ve got to celebrate with him.”

Meanwhile, Katie Drury took home the star prize on Ladies’ Day, picking up a Mini for her stylish ensemble.