Punchestown Ladies Day kicks off with Rachael Blackmore celebrating ‘finest week’ of racing
Ladies Day is back and bigger than ever as Rachael Blackmore reflects on her favourite memories at Punchestown Festival and the ‘summer vibes’ blessing Ireland this year
Ladies day is back!(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Star)
Ladies are set to light up Kildare despite the cloudy weather as the best of Ireland flash the flesh in a betting and boozing legs-up.
Queen of ladies day and racing Rachael Blackmore earlier commented on the “summer vibes” taking over Punchestown Festival – a place she has very fond memories of. The Betfair Ambassador said: “Punchestown Festival, the summer vibe is there, the good weather which they will get this week is a big help. You have the best National Hunt horses in training lining up, it’s a fantastic week.
“There are 12 Grade 1s, extremely competitive handicaps, cross country races, bumpers, even the charity race, there is just so much packed into every day.
“My memories mostly revolve around Honeysuckle, she was never at her best on her final run of the season but always managed to win, the crowd had such an appreciation for her and getting to walk back in after a Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown Festival is a special place to be.
“Also, on the Saturday in 2017, the last day of the season, I was crowned champion conditional this is always a very special memory for me”.
Punters have been judged on their outfits all week as luxurious champagne brand Bolinger has been handing out goody bags for winners.
The ultimate prize, awarded today, consists of Flights to Paris, 5* Hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, Exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience including private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region Reims.
Perhaps most excitingly, one year supply of Bollinger is also supplied.
Both lads and lasses are welcome, with four finalists entering into competition today. One of the glamorous ladies, Worcestershire-born Olivia Clayton, had the luck of the Irish as she made her own black and green hat with a “hot glue gun and a prayer”.
“The women and men of course really know how to show up here in Ireland”.
She joked that she might have to move her flights to accommodate the grand finale “If my boss watching, I might have to have the Friday off as well”.
Elsewhere on course, there’ll also be 20,000 shots and 8,000 glasses of champagne poured.
Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill explains the scale and impact of the Festival: “the enclosures, pavilions and bars are packed with festival goers enjoying racing, great live entertainment, style, shopping, food and beverage, we will host over 24,000 people from 800 companies as Ireland’s largest corporate hospitality event with seasonal, locally sourced menus prepared”.
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