Ladies turn up the style as wet weather fails to dampen the Punchestown spirit
GREY skies and downpours could not dampen the enthusiasm of the hardy punters who flocked to the racetrack for the first day of the Punchestown festival.
Nearly 20,000 people made their way to the Kildare venue to enjoy the festivities as retired Ireland rugby star Jamie Heaslip, RTÉ sports presenters Jacqui Hurley and Evanne Ní Chuilinn, and Agriculture Minister Michael Creed were among the familiar faces.
Cork woman Alex Butler (26) emerged triumphant in the style stakes, winning the first day of the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady competition. Three more winners will be chosen over the next few days and all will compete for the crown on Friday.
Alex wore a floral see-through coat from Miss Daisy Blue, along with a hat from Sophie Hunter and white trousers from Zara. “I do a bit of show jumping so I am into horses. I come for the racing bit but I do love the fashion. I love seeing what everyone is wearing.
“I like Punchestown because it gears you up for events like Galway and the Dublin Horse Show and where the trends are going,” she said.
Alex, who works as a retail manager in SuperValu, is no stranger to the races and previously won Best Dressed at the Galway Races, and Best Hat at the same festival.
“I think I’m the only person that has won twice at Galway. I’m delighted with the win today. I’m shocked,” she added.
Meanwhile, speaking about gender balance in RTÉ, Jacqui Hurley and Evanne Ní Chuilinn said they feel the national broadcaster has always been fair to them.
“Our gender balance is quite good. We’re pretty 50/50 when it comes to our desk, so I mean we’ve been pretty blinkered when it comes to knowing that it was pretty equal,” said Jacqui.
Evanne added: “When we were asked this question 10 and 15 years ago, I remember being really confused because in the sports department when I started in 2004, it was 50/50 split across the production and talent in the office.”
Top trainer Willie Mullins emerged victorious again in the BoyleSports Champion Steeplechase of €275,000 with Un De Sceaux as his son Patrick Mullins steered the stable star home.
Mr Creed said he was looking forward to watching how the rivalry between Mullins and fellow trainer Gordon Elliot plays out for the rest of the week. After heavy downpours on day one, there are more showers of rain and hail forecast today.