Ladies Day at Kilbeggan on Friday
In spite of the wind, rain and cold Kilbeggan Races has managed to provide some great evenings this year and next Friday, July 20, is the racing highlight of the year with the Gigginstown Midlands National and Ladies Day, meaning the Best Dressed Lady Competition, which looks like it will be the best since the event began. The first race begins at 6pm and just a sprinkle of sunshine will make this one of the hottest nights in the social calendar of the Midlands. * Gigginstown Midlands National The Midlands National began in Kilbeggan in July 1997 as a major summer race and a trial for the Galway Plate. It is now worth €50,000 and it is the second most valuable chase after the Galway Plate during the summer season. The first year brought a touch of Hollywood glamour when film director Neil Jordan was associated with the winner Crysty's Picnic. Rockholm Boy, trained by Michael Hourigan, won the race in 2002 and went on to win the Galway Plate the same year. The race is normally a thriller and it should be no exception this year and a big field will be expected. Watch out for horses that ran in Kilbeggan previously and perhaps a local trainer or owner might win this year. * Win €2,500 in the Best Dressed Ladies Competition Dundrum Town Centre and Wineport Lodge are sponsoring the Best Dressed Ladies Competition on Ladies Day and the winner will receive a fabulous prize worth in excess of €2,500. Pippa O'Connor, well known glamorous model, TV personality and wife of Brian Ormond will be a great attraction as the head judge of the competition. Beauty and fashion may be in the eye of the beholder but any ladies out there who are considering entering the competition will have a great incentive to compete with a prize fund over €2,500. This will include a €1,000 shopping spree at the Dundrum Town Centre plus the services of a Style Counsel Stylist and a fabulous Woman of Style weekend at Wineport Lodge, which includes a weekend in the Captain's Suite with champagne dinner, lunch in Bollinger Lounge, a culinary class, powerboat trip to Athlone and toe to toe pampering. A champagne reception for the finalists will be held at the racecourse. The glamour and style of this event should attract a great and colourful crowd. * Student Night in Kilbeggan The last races brought students from all over the Midlands with a great musical night with the Rubberbandits live, Conor Quinn and many more keeping the place hopping well after the last race. The weather relented to add to the occasion and with four favourites and three second favourites winning punters went home very happy. They also saw some exciting young horses like Dazzling Susie, Sin Palo, Whispering Hill, Chase the Favourite and Mister Benedictine (second win at Kilbeggan) who is entered for the Galway Guinness Hurdle. Ladies Day has become the social event of the year in the Midlands and a full evening of entertainment will include live music, children's entertainment, the glamour of the Best Dressed competition and great racing. Admission is Adults €12, Students and OAP €10 with discount for groups, children under 16 free and a family discount package of €20 As John McCrirrick of Channel 4 often says 'Come Racing' and you will have a great time. Next Friday is the chance to prove it at Kilbeggan and remember come early as the first race is at 6pm.