Mary Kennedy judging Ladies Day at Navan on Sunday
Having spent the last 41 years working at RTE, presenter Mary Kennedy recently said she planned to embrace new opportunities as they arise and Navan Racecourse have certainly taken advantage of that as they officially unveiled her as celebrity judge for their Winter Ladies Day on Sunday 24th November. The style event is the official start of the national hunt style season and sees the largest prize fund ever with prizes worth €2,000 to the winners and runners up courtesy of the nearby Navan Town Shopping Centre. On the track the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase features guaranteeing an electric atmosphere on Navan’s biggest day with the best horses in the country racing for almost €250,000 in prizemoney.
Having just returned from a break in Melbourne where Mary surprised her son with a visit for his 30th birthday, the ‘Nationwide’ presenter said: “I was so delighted when Navan Racecourse approached me to be their Winter Ladies Day judge and I was just delighted to accept so now I’m really feeling the pressure of producing the best style result as I know the stakes will be equally as competitive as those on the track. Having spent years interviewing people in every county in the country I’ve noticed that Irish women have a great sense of style especially more than ever when we have so many fabulous home grown fashion designers and milliners here. I’ll be looking for appropriate yet glamorous winter wear with a splash of colour that shows individual style.
Kate O’Sullivan, Navan Racecourse marketing manager said: “Ladbrokes Troytown Day is our flagship National Hunt fixture of the year and the Winter Ladies Day is the first big fashion competition of the new season and really adds to what is a huge electric atmosphere. We can’t wait to welcome Mary to the Royal County of Meath to cast her expert eye over our very stylish racegoers and I know so many people here are looking forward to meeting her here. It’s brilliant to have Navan Town Centre involved again this year who are giving us such an amazing and prestigious prize, it will be very competitive here on the day.”
Pat Mullaney, Navan Town Shopping Centre commented said: “Navan Town Centre is delighted to continue its partnership with Navan Racecourse and their Winter Ladies Day for the seventh year. The race day always attracts a fabulous crowd and we will have plenty of outfit inspiration in Navan Town Centre in the run up to Sunday 24th November.”
The annual Ladies Day takes place on The Ladbrokes Troytown Day on Sunday 24th November. Ladies are advised to arrive early with registration taking place in the ladies’ day marquee located close to the parade ring from 12 noon. During the afternoon, Mary will shortlist five finalists and the overall winner will be announced in the parade ring at 3pm.
The day also plays host to top-class National Hunt racing including the competitive Grade B Ladbrokes Troytown Chase as well as a strong supporting card including the Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Grade 3), the Proudstown Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) and the Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.