IT’S the countdown to the Longines Irish Champions Weekend on Saturday and Sunday September 9-10th and one of the sartorial highlights will be at Leopardstown on day one when they will stage the champion hat competition.

In celebration of the art of millinery in Ireland, the competition, sponsored by Moët & Chandon will be judged solely on the hat or headpiece worn inviting entrants to be as creative or as understated as they wish.

Pre-register for the Longines Prize for Elegance at www.irishchampionsweekend.ie

Seaside magic

GREAT news comes from Majorca where Mary Kilduff of Emerald Bloodstock and Sonny Carey, who works for Willie Mullins, became engaged last week. Sonny did the right thing by asking Mary’s Dad Noel for permission first. Quick out of the stalls, they now have a pre-training yard operating in Kildare.