HORSEY people have always known they're not really as badly dressed as myth would have it and this year's Punchestown Festival proved it. Not only did Co Meath's Dearbhla Swan, winner of the Brown Thomas Ladies' Day, greatly impress judges Louise Kennedy (who called her "the epitome of style") and BT's John Redmond, but the glossy Englishmen's mag GQ chose the race track as its latest shoot location - and used real people.
There were a number of big celebs attending over the three days - although Sean Connery did not alas show up.
English racing team captain Eddie Jordan was there on Tuesday, along with most of the racing world elite.
John Magnier, owner of the Coolmore Stables, was with his wife Sue, daughter of Vincent O'Brien, who was looking good in a big black hat. Dining with him on Wednesday was Nick Bielenberg, former owner of Luttrelstown, trainer David Nagle and Lord Richard Wellesley and his wife Jo of Oxfordshire's Marston Stud.
Stan Clarke, owner of this year's Grand National winner Lord Gyllene, came along for a flutter, and Marcus Armitage, who rode 1993's winner Mr Frisky came with his girlfriend, Waterford born Susanna de Bromhead.
Anthony Stroud, the Newmarket based Co Down man who is racing manager for Sheik Mohammed, came along on Wednesday as did Willie Mullins, who has trained the winner of the Cheltenham bumper for the last two years, and Alan and Ann Swinbank, trainers from the North of England. Viscountess Petersham also made the pilgrimage to Punchestown, but without daughter Serena Linley.
Richard Till, the internationally renowned garden sculptor, supplied a wire fox for the event and it could be seen hovering above the score board. His work can also be seen next month at the Chelsea Flower Show. Rathsallagh Hotel's Joe and Sara O'Flynn lunched with Sara's mother Nellie Dillon, hot tipped to be the next president, of the ICA. Newly qualified solicitor Deirdre Walsh arrived at the race course straight off a flight from London, but looked not a mite tired in one of her sister Siobhan Walsh's feathered creations.
Desmond Guinness was dining with his daughter Marina and a gaggle of excited school children at a table which included American David Doane and his fiancee Amber Dikel. Mr Doane was unmistakable in his yellow three piece suit and platinum pony tail. Amber's horse, Amerbleigh House was names after their home five minutes away from the track, where Desmond, David et al retired for a party after the race.