Stylish Birr native crowned best dressed at Kilbeggan

Birr native Sarah Gene pipped all of the other glamorous competitors to the post last Friday when she was chosen by models Roz Purcell and Pippa O'Connor as the "Best Dressed Lady" at Kilbeggan Races. Sarah Gene's green outfit with black corsage detail and a fascinator featuring peacock feathers won her the competition, with judge Roz describing it as a classic look with a modern twist. For her troubles Sarah Gene won a prize in excess of €2,000. Though weather has been anything but a racing cert of late, punters at Kilbeggan race course for last Friday's Gigginstown Midlands National Day were blessed with sunshine. Guests on the day included Des Cahill and main race sponsor Michael O'Leary as well as model judges Roz and Pippa and Dundrum Town Centre's David Hanevy and Claire Ann Minogue. Festivities kicked off at 5pm, with the first race at 6pm. Finalists for the coveted best dressed title were selected throughout the evening, with the selected ladies enjoying a champagne reception at the Dundrum Town Centre and Wineport Lodge marquee before the eventual winner was announced. Wineport Lodge proprietors Ray Byrne and Jane English were also on hand along with head chef Cathal Moran to treat guests to mouth watering canapés. The Wineport Lodge together with Dundrum Town Centre sponsored the best dressed lady competition. According to judge Roz picking just one winner on the day was difficult. "We certainly had our work cut out for us today, there was such great style and it was a difficult decision choosing only one winner from an outstanding line-up of midland fashionistas," she said. Fellow judge Pippa added that the two "nearly came to blows" choosing the eventual winner. Winner Sarah Gene's dress was bought from Fran & Jane, while her fascinator was from Abbeyleix milner Niamh Kelly. As winner she was given a prize including a €1,000 shopping spree at Dundrum Town Centre and a Woman of Style weekend at Wineport Lodge including a stay in the Captain's suite, champagne dinner, a culinary class, a boat trip to Athlone, a tasting menu and a top to toe spa treatment.