Galway Races Ladies Day winner got husband to draw dress judges loved
She had her dress maker send it to a tailor in the Middle East to get made
So have you your outfit planned for the biggest best dressed competition in the isles? We could all take a cue from supremo style queen Megan Cunniss, who took the title on Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival, seven months after winning the Galway extravaganza last August.
For her first Cheltenham, she got her husband to draw a three-piece brown trouser suit – she's not able to draw herself – and had her dress maker send it to a tailor in the Middle East to get made.
The 29-year-old had Marc Millinery in Cork to create a fedora style hat in the matching colour. The outfit only arrived six hours before her flight was due to leave and before she could board she had to have it altered. Now that's dedication to the craft.
She told local on track reporters: “I don't know exactly how much I spent on it, but a lot.”
The medical secretary from Galway scooped a Boodles necklace and a £500 Holland Cooper voucher as part of her prize haul as well as an Atelier experience and a pair of tickets for the Randox Grand National Festival 2026, Betfred Derby Festival 2026, and next year's Cheltenham Festival.
Ballybrit is much more lucrative as she walked away with prizes worth €10,000.
Last year she also got her white dress with a black trim made.
She got the racing style bug after winning her very first Ladies Day in Dundalk in July 2025 for a lime green ensemble.
To give a flavour of what the Irish judges may be on the look out for, last month the Best Dressed winner at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was Jeanette Kelly from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, for a blush pink ensemble.
She wore her own dress covered with a showpiece cape created by Ukrainian designer Malva Flores. She accessorised with a rented headpiece designed by Laura Hanlon.
Just over the road, Galway resident but Belmullet native Michelle Manning was crowned Best Dressed Lady at The Lodge at Ashford Castle Ladies Day at Ballinrobe.
Michelle impressed judge Marietta Doran with an elegant two-piece with gingham top purchased on Vinted the week before, paired with a cream midi skirt from Poca & Poca.
Her hat was from Not Just Hats by Caron Hogan in Galway, while her bag and shoes were from Zara. Michelle handcrafted her own earrings using spare buttons from her top and completed the look with a gold brooch borrowed from her mother.
She walked away with a stay at The Lodge at Ashford Castle and a €1,000 cash prize.
We'll have more style tips next week for Ladies Day. No doubt there will be a lot of swapping and chopping if this heatwave manages to last into next Thursday.