The GAIN Irish St. Leger, which will take place at The Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, 15th September includes an exciting fashion competition for fashionistas everywhere. The prize up for grabs for the most stylish lady on the day is a spectacular VIP trip to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy, France next summer. The fashion judges will include star of stage and screen, Rebecca Storm, Louise Hogan of the Irish Independent, Farmer’s Journal fashion writer, Emer Lynch, Mary Delaney, GAIN Horse Feeds Sales Manager and Clare Fahey, Alltech Global Equine and Pet Marketing Manager.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 which is held every four years is the single largest equestrian event in the world. Like the Olympics, the location rotates to different parts of the world and next year the event will be staged in Normandy, France. The prize for the most stylish lady is a VIP package for two people, which will include flights, three nights’ accommodation and tickets to the games. The French city of Caen will welcome 1,000 competitors and 1,000 horses from over 60 countries to take part in these world championships of eight equestrian disciplines. It promises to be a magnificent event and Alltech is set to host a music and film festival during the fortnight of festivities.
Siobhan Talbot, Designate Group Managing Director of Glanbia, the parent company of GAIN Feeds, will officially present the lucky winner with her prize.
In addition to world class racing, featuring both the Group 1 GAIN Irish St Leger and Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, there will be an exciting Irish country music theme with a live concert by singing sensation Mike Denver after the last race.
The race day will also feature an attempt to create an Irish record on the race day for the most people to take part in a Line Dance which will be performed on the racetrack in front of the grandstand. Participants are being encouraged to embrace the initiative by dressing country style. There is no age limit to take part and people do not have to have any line dancing experience at all. However, participants must register in advance at www.curragh.ie and the registration closes on Friday, 13th September. So far over 300 people have registered and organisers hope to have at least 500 people line out and dance to an upbeat version of Shania Twain’s record breaking song ‘From This Moment’. The song has been chosen to link in with the Newbridge Grassroots Festival which takes place over the same weekend as Shania Twain’s grandmother, Eileen Pearse was from Newbridge.
The GAIN Irish St Leger weekend will be an important part of the Newbridge Grassroots Festival and the St. Brigid of Kildare ‘Gathering’ Festival. Rebecca Storm will star in ‘The Cloak’, a spectacular production of St. Brigid’s life which will be shown in the cathedral in Kildare town as part of the Kildare Gathering Festival from 26th –28th September.
Evan Arkwright, Commercial Manager of The Curragh Racecourse said, “The GAIN Irish St. Leger is set to be a fun and varied day, we hope people will really enjoy the premier racing, fabulous fashion and great entertainment by Mike Denver and we would encourage people to join us and help us set a new Irish record with our line dance.” Sharon Kelly a line dancing teacher with the Liffey Liners and one of the main organisers of the Line Dance record attempt said, “We have been getting a marvellous response to this, it’s really, really easy to do the dance steps so just register on line and be part of the day!”
There is also racing on Saturday 14th September featuring the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Blandford Stakes and the Tipperary Crystal Amateur Riders Derby while the race day will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) with hundreds of their graduates expected to attend the day. For more information call (045) 441205 or log on to www.curragh.ie