Another fantastic festival took place at Killarney Races last week when AugustFest delivered a fun-filled programme, super crowds, spectacular views, top-class racing and an atmosphere that was not to be missed, here are some of the highlights of the successful three-day festival.
Thursday, the opening day saw Salt Lake City win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ruby Stakes under a great ride from Killian Hennessy for Aidan O’Brien. Jesse Evans stayed on stoutly to win the GMIB Kingdom Gold Cup Handicap, Jesse was of course 2nd in the Galway Hurdle on his previous start.
Friday saw Shecouldbeanything add to her Listed win in May, when landing the SP Or Better Guaranteed with Tote Handicap Hurdle. Local Faha based trainer Charles Coakley enjoyed his first Killarney winner as Definiteadare obliged impressively in the Thorn Plant Hire Handicap Chase
On Saturday, jump racing took center stage for the second day in a row to a packed crowd of enthusiastic racegoers and socialisers. On the track, there was great excitement as the feature Kellihers Toyota Handicap Chase of €45,000 went the way of Stealthy Tom, a 4th Killarney success for the JP McManus owned eight-year-old. Aurora Vega, daughter of the great Quevega and full sister of Facile Vega, easily maintained her unbeaten status in the KWD Recycling Race and she looks to have a very bright future ahead of her.
Saturday was also Kellihers Toyota Ladies Day which brought the glamour stakes to Killarney Races as fashionistas brought the curtain down on AugustFest in stunning style. Fashion savvy racegoers turned out in their droves to compete for the covetable title of Kellihers Toyota Best Dressed Lady. The fashion was fierce and judge Jennifer Wynne had a tough challenge selecting her finalists.
Serena Delaney was the lucky lady deemed most stylish on the day. From Upper Park Road in Killarney, Serena’s stunning look was a beautiful Sister Jayne dress combined with a stunning Marc Millinery headpiece. She teamed her stunning look with bright pink heels and a bag from Zara to tie the entire look together and completed it beautifully with gold accessories.
Serena Delaney commented on her big win saying, “I’m absolutely thrilled, I’ve never won anything in my life! I really appreciate winning Best Dressed Lady on Kelliher’s Toyota Ladies Day at Killarney Races it’s the only Ladies Day we ever attend and to be selected as winner was just the icing on the cake! All my family had a great day, and it was really special, one I’ll always remember”.
Tim Kelliher, Managing Director of Kellihers Toyota, commented “On behalf of all the team at Kellihers Toyota in Tralee, we are over the moon with the reception that we have been given by everybody associated with the Killarney Races. We enjoyed the most wonderful day and we got to meet many of our Toyota customers! We are already looking forward to next year. Once again, congratulations to Serena Delaney, the Kellihers Toyota Best Dressed Lady”
Killarney Races has one final weekend meeting to look forward to on the first weekend in October, so if you’re looking for a proper day out this Autumn then look no further all details at KillarneyRaces.ie and on social media.