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“JULY please I’m on my knees, the smell of your fresh cut grass….”

Mundy had it right last Thursday at Killarney Races Ladies Day. What an incredible day it was, both for the racing enthusiasts and for the fashionistas.

Tralee ladies contributed greatly in the style stakes. What I loved about Killarney Races, as opposed to bigger meetings, is that you got to see all of the fashion as the viewing area is smaller but the style was as big as any racecourse in the country.

The winner on the day was a Killarney local, Denise Healy, who looked radiant in a black and white trouser ensemble. Judge Kathryn Thomas was without a doubt one of the best dressed judges I have ever encountered in my years of racing.

What was even more endearing was that the choice she decided upon was a tribute to her late grandmother Margaret Keane who herself was voted the Queen of Fashion back in 1960.

Kathryn exuded elegance in a cream dress teamed with a caramel coloured top hat. Fun, fun, fun and more fun was the order of the day and Killarney did not disappoint. I was lucky enough to be in the company of two of the most glamorous mother/daughter partnerships from Tralee.

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Liz O’Gorman and Helena Hanbidge looked radiant in unplanned co-ordinating outfits. Helena, a nurse living in Cork exudes old style Hollywood glamour and is blessed with her mother’s youthful genes and sense of style. Little wonder that Helena is a former Miss Kerry.

Another beauty blessed to have inherited her mum’s incredible looks is Kirstin McKenzie-Vass, a student nurse and a part time model with Tralee based agency Upfront.

Kirstin looked like she had just walked off the catwalk. Keep your eyes peeled ladies, this beauty is going places. Mum Mandy looked on with pride as Kirstin was selected as one of the finalists in the best dressed competition.

With the purses a little heavier (we had a few winners), we skipped off to the beautiful Aghadoe Heights where they had a post racing barbecue. The racing glitterati were in attendance with hosts Pat and Marie Chawke proving once again why they are deemed the best in the business.

The food was outstanding and an impromptu singsong added to the atmosphere. The always beautiful Lorraine Keane and her talented husband Peter Devlin added to the glamour of the night and who knew that judge of the day Kathryn Thomas had such a beautiful singing voice?

Make up artist to the stars Ken Boylan was a bundle of laughs and my God he is a handsome man – although he tried telling me his husband is even more handsome.

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Racing royalty Melanie Morris (Image Magazine) and dashing husband Trevor Ridgley were as always the glam couple of the night and told me that they are looking forward to Galway races next week where Melanie acts as judge of best hat in The G Hotel on Ladies Day/Evening.

All in all it was a fantastic day and night and Marie has already promised an even bigger night next year at Aghadoe Heights. Can’t wait!

Until next week ladies, stay stylish!

Orlagh xx