CONNOLLY’S Red Mills and Gowran Park have launched the Red Mills raceday and style event which will gallop over the horizon on Saturday, February 15th. Billed as the south east’s premier racing event of the winter season, the day will combine the best of racing style with a top notch Cheltenham trials day.

Stylists Marietta Doran, Fiona Foley and Chris Kavanagh were joined by jockey Donagh Meyler and the Tom Mullins-trained Spiderweb for the launch. This is Connolly’s Red Mills 40th year of sponsoring Gowran Park.

Guest judge deciding the winning lady will be Emily O’Donnell, presenter and fashion stylist with Virgin Media One, and crowning the best dressed gent will be Kilkenny’s own TV chef and broadcaster, Edward Hayden.

The theme is winter racing chic, so mercifully you can be both stylish and warm and comfortable. Think wools, tweeds, faux furs and feathers, with boots, brogues and loafers, and headwear is a must – fedoras, headbands, tweed caps and country-themed headpieces can all feature.

The best dressed lady and gent for 2020 will each receive a €500 voucher to spend in the Red Mills store, on brands including Welligogs, Fairfax & Favor, Dubarry, Hicks & Brown and many more.

A welcome addition to the prize packages is a two-night stay for two people with dinner on one evening in a Talbot Collection Hotel of their choice.

The style quarter returns again to Gowran Park with fashion shows throughout the day hosted by Marietta Doran, as well as a pop-up shop featuring all of the best clothing, footwear and accessories from the Red Mills store.

Both feature races, the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase and the Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle, have benefited from a prize-money boost bringing their value to €60,000 each.

Both races have produced some famous winners down through the years, including Danoli, Un De Sceaux, and Our Duke.

Entries for Red Mills raceday will be published on Tuesday, February 11th, so keep tuned.