Karen Koster Picks the Best Dressed Lady Derval O’Connell at The Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes

The Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes is the social event of the season and as always it lived up to its reputation as style and glamour were the order of the day. Fashion Ambassador for Horse Racing Ireland, Karen Koster, was handed the binoculars to go fashion spotting on the turf to find the Best Dressed Lady of the day. The stylish winner was identified as Derval O'Connell from Killarney Co. Kerry who won a €5,000 prize to spend at House of Fraser at The Dundrum Town Centre. 

Derval, who works as a dentist in Dublin, wore a beautiful dress by Alice Temperly, a cream hat with a large striking feather by Catherine Cookson and completed the look with a snakeskin Gucci bag and shoes. Derval was delighted with her prize which also included a Linea outfit from House of Fraser and said "I am thrilled this amazing prize, normally my identical twin sister Avril accompanies me to events like this but she is on holiday so I can't wait to tell her about my win." The two runners-up were Tara Doyle (24) from Carrigmines and Grainne Doyle (28) from Sandyford. All 15 finalists picked from the glamorous crowd by Karen received a Jacobs Creek goody bag.

Karen Koster looked stunning in a black Philip Treacy hat and grey dress by Black Halo. On choosing the winner Karen said “I came here last year as a race-goer so it was exciting to come this year as the HRI Fashion Ambassador and judge Ladies Day. I chose Derval as I really like her individual style and she really stood out from the crowd.”

An exciting new addition on the day was The Krystle Nightclub Champagne Marquee located beside the parade ring. The marquee looked spectacular and was a central hub for the celebrity race goers on the day. Glamorous guests spotted in the marquee included artists Nina Di Vito and Chara Nagle, Krystle Managers Conor Buckley and Brian O’Malley with owner Rangan Arulchelvan, chick-lit author Marissa Mackle, models Sara Kavanagh and Ruth O'Neill, Ireland AM's Alan Hughes, actress Rachel Kavanagh, trainer Conor O'Dwyer with his glamorous wife Audrey, lady trainers Frances Crowley, Tracy and Sheena Collins, Tattersalls Ireland's George Mernagh who was chatting to HRI's Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh with Tom Burke and Michael O'Rourke from Leopardstown. Trainer Jim Bolger who was celebrating his horse, New Approach, winning the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes. It was a great day all round for Jim and his wife Jackie as their horse Lush Lashes also won the Group One Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes. Both winners were ridden by Jim's son-in-law Kevin Manning.

Horse Racing Ireland’s Tamso Doyle, was delighted with another successful race meeting and said “We are delighted with the success of another exciting ladies day at the Tattersalls Millions Champion Stakes.  As always, the style and atmosphere was top class and we had great weather on the day, albeit a day later than expected*. Once again, Karen Koster had the task of selecting the Best Dressed Lady, an unenviable job considering the high standard of style on display.  The Krystle Champagne Marquee was a popular addition to the already glamorous event with guests enjoying the hospitality on offer.”