IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEOPARDSTOWN AND THE CURRAGH
The Irish social and sporting calendar is about to hit its stride with one of the most glamorous weekends of the year …
A jewel of the international flat racing season, Irish Champions Festival on Saturday, September 13 at Leopardstown and Sunday, September 14 at The Curragh, marries the best of horse racing with the unmistakable glamour and sparkle that Irish racegoers bring in abundance. Whether you are a lifelong enthusiast of the turf or simply love an excuse to dress up and celebrate in style, this is the weekend to circle on your diary. Over two unmissable days of fashion, TV personality and rugby ace Greg O’Shea, along with his model fiancée Jeanni Mulder, will raise the style stakes as part of the Champion Style judging panel at this year’s Irish Champions Festival.
Day One: Leopardstown – The Return of Champions of Style
At Leopardstown on Saturday, fashion takes centre stage with the much-anticipated return of the Champions of Style Awards, last seen in 2023. This year, Ireland’s premier menswear destination, Louis Copeland & Sons, joins forces with boutique hotel group Ardán Collective to sponsor the competition – ensuring that couture and creativity stand shoulder-to-shoulder with world-class racing.
Throughout the day, official style spotters will mingle through the crowd in search of the most striking looks. Aoife Dunican, The Style Bob founder, will join Louis Copeland as judge for the men’s category. Acclaimed stylist Sarah Kate Byrne will lead the judging for the ladies category for Ardán Collective. Shortlisted racegoers will then be invited on stage, where their ensembles will be appraised by the panel of judges.
The prizes are suitably luxurious. For the gentlemen, Louis Copeland & Sons will present the winner with a made-to-measure suit worth €1,000, while two runners-up will each receive bespoke shirts tailored to perfection. Pocket squares, that signature flourish of sartorial finesse, will also be presented on the day.
For the ladies, Ardán Collective will showcase its ethos of “elevate everything” with three exceptional experiences. The overall winner will be whisked to London for a stylish weekend at The Exhibitionist Hotel in Kensington, complete with flights, cocktails and breakfast. Second prize offers a two-night stay in the sumptuous new Boyne View Suite at Bellinter House Hotel & Spa, including dinner and spa access, while third prize promises a blissful day of pampering at Bellinter House, with lunch and full use of its new thermal area.
For Sheila O’Riordan of Ardán Collective, the partnership is about celebrating style and experience: “Our name Ardán means ‘Elevate’. That’s what we’re about – from an elevated look to an elevated experience. We can’t wait to see the creativity and flair racegoers bring on the day.”
Stylist Sarah Kate Byrne put it perfectly: “Elegance is good taste with a dash of daring. That’s what I’ll be looking for – ensembles that stand out with confidence.”
Style spotting begins at 12.15pm in the Champions Garden Party, with winners crowned on stage at 4.30pm.
Day Two: The Curragh – Rosé & Runway
If Leopardstown is about tailored elegance, then Sunday at The Curragh is all about blush tones and fashion in full bloom. The Rosé & Runway event, sponsored by Whispering Angel, promises to be a glamorous finale to the Irish flat racing season.
The “hint of blush” theme will inspire racegoers to showcase creativity in pastels and pinks. Joining Jeanni in judging the competition are two famous faces in Irish fashion: Naomi Clarke (The Style Fairy) and stylist and broadcaster Marietta Doran.
The prize is one that any fashion lover would covet – a two-night stay for two in a Golfside Bedroom at The Europe Hotel & Resort in Killarney, complete with a decadent dinner, indulgent ESPA spa treatments, and a magnum of Whispering Angel rosé to toast the occasion.
As Marietta Doran explains: “Irish racing style has been stunning throughout 2025. I’m looking forward to the final fashion date at The Curragh – it’s always special.” Naomi Clarke added: “I can’t wait to see how racegoers interpret the theme. I’m sure it will be a tough decision to find just one winner.”
The day also doubles as a family carnival, with bumper cars, stilt walkers, face painting and magic shows creating a lively atmosphere for all ages.
Beyond the Catwalk – Racing Highlights
While style may command attention off the track, it is the world-class racing that makes Irish Champions Festival one of the most anticipated fixtures in the international calendar. Some of the sport’s biggest names, both equine and human, will line up across the two days to contest races of the highest calibre. From the drama of Leopardstown’s sweeping track to the history-steeped Curragh, racegoers can expect thrilling finishes, champagne moments, and the kind of atmosphere that only Irish racing delivers.
The Social Occasion of the Season
The Irish Champions Festival is more than sport, more than fashion – it is a celebration of everything Ireland does best: heritage, hospitality and high style. A weekend of world-class racing, fashion and celebration awaits. For full details and tickets, visit irishchampionsfestival.ie.
