Lisa McGowan crowned Kilbeggan Races Midlands National Best Dressed Lady
A prize worth €2,500 was awarded to Tullamore native Lisa McGowan at Kilbeggan Races last Friday after she was chosen as the winner of the Best Dressed Lady competition at the annual Midlands National meeting.
Sponsored by the Wineport Lodge and Dundrum Town Centre, the prize included a ‘Woman of Style’ weekend package in the luxury hotel on the banks of Lough Ree, in Glasson and a €1000 VIP shopping experience with assistance from a Dundrum Town Centre stylist.
Close to 7,000 racegoers came through the gates at Kilbeggan on Friday, with 150 ladies selected to join judges, Marietta Doran, RTÉ racing fashion expert and Fiona Hayes, stylist for Dundrum Town Centre for a glass of sparkling wine in the judging marquee.
The judges whittled the group down to 10 finalists who were taken to the parade ring, where the winner was announced. Wearing a cream dress, accessorised with a red handbag, headpiece and shoes, Lisa McGowan, who works in CP McGowan Insurance in Tullamore, was the number one choice of both judges.
Lisa said: “I’m just so thrilled to have won. I still can’t believe it. I was invited into the judging marquee before but I’ve never been a finalist. It’s such an honour to be chosen as the winner – all of the ladies look fab!
“I’d like to thank Electric Candy in Tullamore for my dress and Pamela Curtin Millinery for my headpiece. I’m really looking forward to staying in the Wineport Lodge and I can’t wait to go on a shopping spree in Dundrum town centre without having to spend any money.”
Kilbeggan Racecourse manager Paddy Dunican said: “Despite the negative weather forecast, our flagship Midlands National meeting was a great success with nearly 7,000 people enjoying a sunny evening of racing and top-class fashion.
“We’re always keen to grow attendances so it’s great to have entertainment and best dressed competitions drawing a crowd. The winner of our Best Dressed Lady was a popular winner, as she is well-known in the area and was at the races with a group of friends on a social outing from one of the Tullamore pubs.
“I’d very much like to thank our sponsors the Wineport Lodge and Dundrum Town Centre, who have been associated with this meeting for three years now.”
(The 10 finalists were: Fiona Guilfoyle, Kerrie Larkin, Yolandae HoltKamp, Mary Gardiner, Merle Deegan, Fiona Glynn, Liz Shine, Aine Horgan, Lisa McGowan and Siobhan Ruane.)