ELEGANCE - that was my overall impression of my first visit to the Longines Irish Champions Weekend. From start to finish the style was phenomenal, and not just the ladies.

In terms of fashion, it was hard to look past the Möet tent at Leopardstown on Saturday. The white picket fence reminded me of the polo scene in Pretty Woman, although I’m not sure there were many that could match Julia Roberts in that brown polka dot sundress and wide brimmed cream hat.

The flower-covered backdrop wall is now the subject of bounteous Instagram pictures and it would be intruiging to know the champagne sales figures.

It was an appropriate title - the ‘Longines Prize for Elegance’. Judge Rachel Wyse was a vision in navy. The Sky Sports presenter judged the prize for elegance alongside the ever glamorous Bairbre Power.

The winner was a recognisable face in the world of racing, but not for her exploits with the horses, rather her reputation for being well turned out. I am somewhat against the serial best dressed entrants. Usually, they are sponsored by a boutique and milliner, and the everyday racegoer who has put effort into buying an outfit doesn’t get a look in. But Saturday’s winner, Ciara Murphy, was a deserving one. You may remember her face from the Galway Festival in July where she won best hat - ah yes, the graceful Garda.

Admired by many, her two-piece cream boucle wool Chanel-inspired outfit was from Ted Baker and, the best part of all, she got it in the January sales!

Matched with an unconventional perfume-shaped handbag and a Fiona Rafferty hat - the same milliner who designed the Galway-winning headpiece - Murphy was the definition of elegance.

It’s not all about grabbing the bargain however. One may have sacrificed quality and ended up in quite the predicament. Catching the last race was the least of my worries when my zip gave way. One genius friend thought a stapler would do the job. Unsurprisingly he wasn’t of the fairer sex…

WIND SWEPT

On stepping out of the car at the Curragh on Sunday, my late grandmother’s vintage hat made its way across the car park. As I took off after it, my heels got stuck in the grass … oh, the glamour. But the Curragh put on another great show, and it was nice to be at the historic track for its last big meeting before the €65 million redevelopment takes place.

It was a toss-up between Anna Mcguire and Joseph O’Brien for the biggest winner of the day. O’Brien may have shaded it this time - a Group 1 winner at 23 years of age in his first season of training is prodigious, an achievement many excellent trainers wait a lifetime for. It was lovely to watch his mum Annemarie jump up and down, hoping his father wouldn’t beat him.

But Mcguire was the other big winner on the day. The judges once again stuck to the brief and the prize for elegance was duly rewarded to the classy winner. Sitting comfortably in the champagne bar overlooking the parade ring at the Curragh, safe from the brewing storm, three graceful ladies in their late 70s were seated nearby. They were old glamour personified - red soled heels, Chanel bags and beautiful two-piece dress suits. They were well into the racing too, taking turns to go and place their bets, they weren’t just there for the champers, unlike many others!

PICNIC TIME

I was delighted to attend the ‘car park picnic’ hosted by Corinthian Challenge riders Sophie Candy, Sally Ann Grassick and Alice Kavanagh at the Curragh.

Sponsored by, and in association with, the ITBA Next Generation, all the funds raised were going to the Irish Injured Jockeys. The hosts put on an amazing spread of smoked salmon, cocktail sausages, baked goodies and much more. Though the whirling breeze threatened to lift the gazebo away it didn’t dampen the spirts and well done to all involved in the event.

CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS

Speaking of elegance, I spotted a number of ladies in the parade ring at Leopardstown with plastic heel protectors to prevent them from sinking in the grass. A genius invention that racecourses need to start selling with racecards at the gate.