Style shines through on sodden Ladies Day at Galway Races

WHILE the going may have been tough at Ballybrit, it did not dampen the style in the stands on another colourful Ladies Day.

Punters were braced for wind and rain on day four of the Galway Races but there was still plenty of colour on the ground as hundreds of ladies from across the country vied for the title of Best Dressed Lady.

Despite the terrible conditions, some 26,429 punters flooded through the gates, which was down on the last year’s attendance of

30,294.

It was mum of two Charlene Byers (34), from Newry, Co Down, who emerged victorious, winning a host of prizes including a

€2,000 cash prize and a luxurious stay at the g Hotel in Galway.

Among those out enjoying the day was Limerick woman Tasha O’Connor, who is a regular at racecourses across the country.

“This is my fourth year in Galway and I think it’s my last with this weather,” she joked.

“It wasn’t meant to be as bad as this. Can anybody dress for this weather?

“I go to a lot of the local races and it’s a great day out,” she said.

Several ladies who will take part in this year’s Rose of Tralee festival were also out for the day and told of their excitement for the festival, which takes place later this month.

It was a first chance for Dubai Rose Rebecca Egan

(26), from Co Offaly, and Abu Dhabi Rose Sarah Kate Mangan

(26), from Co Mayo, to meet some of their fellow roses who are based at home.

“It’s my first time to the Galway races and myself and Sarah Kate, it was our first day meeting a lot of the other roses so it’s really lovely. You forget about the rain,” she said. Ms Mangan told how the ladies are all looking forward to the upcoming festival, where they will get to meet many of the international roses for the first time, although they have all got to know each other already via a WhatsApp group. “There’s a little bit of apprehension but it’s more excitement than anything,” she told the Irish Independent. Trainer Willie Mullins emerged victorious in the Grade A Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap feature race of €300,000. It was a family day for the Carlow man as his son Patrick saddled the winning horse, while wife Jackie joined in the celebrations in the parade ring. Champion trainer Mullins spoke of his pride in his son’s performance and noted his dedication to the sport.

“Patrick has huge commitment to do what he is doing. He has such commitment. I wouldn’t live on what he lives on a day.”

The trainer noted jockeys like Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy as people that younger jockeys can look up to and believes they have had a hugely positive impact on the sport.

Chanelle McCoy was on hand to judge the Best Dressed Lady competition and admitted she was glad her husband AP McCoy was not out in the harsh weather.

“It is (tough for the jockeys) but it’s great that AP is retired in one piece so we have no health and safety issues at home anymore,” she said.

Limerick woman Louise Cooney (25) was a first timer at the Ballybrit festival and already has made plans to return.

“I’ve been to Leopardstown and I was over in Ascot. It’s amazing.

“I thought I would be overdressed here but I’m not,” she said.