Stylish Joan turns heads on Ladies’ Day
NO ONE was in any doubt but that the judges correctly identified the most stylish woman of the day on the Island on Sunday when they picked Listowel’s very own Joan McCarthy out from the crowd of fashionistas.
Turning heads in a red dress and purple coat, the former Listowel Town Clerk was chosen as Ladies’ Day winner by judges Marietta Doran and Kerry’s very own Gold Cup-winning trainer Jim Culloty.
“The talk all around town on Sunday night was that the judges got it spot on, there was only one winner and Joan looked absolutely amazing in her outfit,” said Eilís Stack who organised the Ladies’ Day competition along with Jim Culloty’s sister, Aoife Hannon.
“We were delighted with the day and the style was really impressive. Listowel woman Aoife Kelliher came second, with Tasha O’Connor from Abbeyfeale receiving the third prize and we had seven runners-up - all of whom looked dazzling.”
First prize saw Joan clinch €1,900worth of vouchers for Listowel businesses; second prize brought Aoife €1,300-worth of vouchers and third prize netted Tasha €750 in vouchers for outlets right across town. Indeed, it was the support of the business community that helped make the competition a success.
“But for the business people of Listowel and their fantastic support, Ladies’ Day simply wouldn’t have been possible,” Eilísh said.
The first round county senior football championship matches in Listowel on Sunday appear to have detracted from day one of the two-day race meeting - although not too much. Course Secretary Brenda Daly reported attendance was down slightly on last year, but pointed to a silver-lining.
“Numbers were slightly down on the June Bank Holiday Sunday of last year,” Brenda said.
“We had a lot of competition with the football matches unfortunately, but it’s hard to get a day that doesn’t clash with something. Sunday is also flat racing which isn’t as popular as the National Hunt racing of course. Monday is a mixed card, however.
“About 1,500 were in attendance on Sunday, which was a little bit down on last year.
“The Tote was up considerably, however. On the Sunday of last year the Tote took €99,000, but €172,000 was taken this Sunday,” Brenda added.
Race Company Director Pat Healy was pleased with the quality of the racing. “Sunday was great racing from our point of view and the track was in good condition after the few fine days beforehand. In terms of pointers for the future, Aidan O’Brien’s win with Homeland in the two-year-old race on Sunday was very interesting and it was also great to see young Finny Maguire, a son of former jockey and current trainer Adrian Maguire get his first win in Listowel!”
Proud father Adrian was reportedly close to tears as his son romped home on Mm Dazzler in the Byran MacMahon QR race in what was a great family occasion - something Listowel Races lend themselves to only too well.