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July 16, 2012

Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh - July 22nd

The 2012 Darley Irish Oaks weekend will take place at The Curragh Racecourse on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July. Sunday will see Europe’s top fillies take centre stage in the Group 1 Darley Irish Oaks. President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina will be the guests of honour on Sunday 22nd July and will make the presentation of trophies to the winning connections of the Darley Irish Oaks.

Michael Murphy Furniture The ‘Classic Ladies Race Wear Competition’ will also run on Sunday 22nd of July.  Each entrant must include blue in their outfit, giving this competition an exciting edge!  The winner of The Classic Ladies Race Wear Competition will take home €3,000 worth of furniture and interior decor from Michael Murphy Home Furnishing and an interior design consultation as well as a Coogan Bergin Beauty Clinic pamper day.  Ladies who pre-register online at www.curragh.ie will also receive a voucher for a glass of bubbly and entry into the ‘Style Lounge’ where all the fashion action will take place.

Louis Mariette One of the judges of the fashion competition is milliner extraordinaire to the stars, Louis Mariette.  The self- taught milliner has a glamorous celebrity following and his client list read’s like a ‘who’s who’ of the entertainment world. He has made hats for Lady Gaga, Dannii Minogue, Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Jodie Kidd, Jerry Hall, Alek Wek, Sophie Dahl and Joan Collins.  He was also a judge on Britain’s Next Top Model and was the official milliner for the Investec Derby at Epsom.

Louis will be joined by fellow fashion judges Joe Murphy from Michael Murphy Home Furnishing and Melanie Finn, social diarist at The Evening Herald.

Speaking about his involvement in the fashion competition Louis Mariette said; “Irish women have a wonderful sense of style and fun.  I want to see some individuality shining through, the best dressed for me will be wearing a wonderful head piece that complements her overall outfit”.

 Joe Murphy from Michael Murphy Home Furnishing said, “We are delighted to be involved in the day as fashion and interiors are intrinsically linked, what happens on the catwalk really influences furniture, fabrics and accessories.  We are very fashion conscious and that is represented in the furniture and ranges that we carry in both our Newbridge and New Ross stores.”

Michael Murphy Home Furnishing was established thirty eight years ago and is a second generation family run business.   The stores stock everything from flooring to furniture to fabrics and accessories and is one of the leading interior, furniture and lifestyle companies in Ireland.
 
The first of 8 races on Sunday goes to post at 1.40pm and the high quality programme also features the Kilboy Estate Stakes (Group 3), Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes (Group 3), www.bettor.com Rockingham Handicap and Thalgo Ladies Derby, one of the top races in Europe for lady riders.

Saturday will feature an exciting card in aid of KARE, with the first race (Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden) going to post at 2.30pm with a competitive 7 race programme. There will also be lots of family activities with a kids zone located in the garden enclosure offering a variety of free entertainment for children.

Admission: Saturday 21st July, adult €15 / U25’s and Seniors €8 / Children free. Sunday, 22nd July, adult €20 / U25’s and seniors €10 / children free.

For further information about the Darley Irish Oaks Weekend, to purchase tickets or to register for the fashion competition please contact The Curragh racecourse on (045) 441205 or log on to www.curragh.ie

Sunday

1.40pm  Darley Maiden
1.50pm  Classic Racewear Preview
2.10pm  Kilboy Estate Stakes
2.40pm  Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes
2.50pm Classic Racewear winner announced
3.15pm  Darley Irish Oaks
3.50pm  Thalgo Ladies Derby
4.25pm  Bettor.com Rockingham Handicap
5.00pm  O’Briens Champagne & Wine Bar at the Curragh Handicap
5.30pm Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap

Saturday

KARE race day with seven competitive races and the opportunity to help raise funds for a very important local charity.
2.30pm  Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden
3.00pm The Irish Field Maiden
3.30pm D & M Trucks Kilcullen Supporting KARE Handicap
4.05pm KARE Race Day Minstrel Stakes
4.40pm Parfit Mobility Vehicles Supporting KARE Nursery
5.15pm Winders Electrical Supporting KARE Handicap
5.45pm Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show Maiden