Waterford businesswoman crowned Style Stakes winner at Tramore Races after busy day

It was a day of fashion, fun and a fairytale ending at Tramore Races as local Waterford woman Louisa Murphy was crowned the winner of this year's Style Stakes on Saturday evening.

Louisa, a well-known hairdresser who runs two salons in the town and another in Wexford, wowed the judges with a Farm Rio two-piece paired with a Millinery by Mel hat, Manolo Blahnik heels, jewellery from Rosie and Dot, and a bag she picked up from a beach trader in Duncannon just two weeks ago.

Style judge Niamh de Brún admitted the decision was tight but said: "It was a tough decision but for me, she was always the one to beat!"

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Louisa's choice of footwear had already made headlines earlier this summer, after one of her Manolos famously got caught in a grate during a day out at the Galway Races.

Laughing about the moment, she told the Tramore crowd: "Today, I'm wearing the famous Manolos! You see one of these heels got caught in a grate recently at the Galway Races where I attended with friends for a day out and needless to say the cameras were quick to catch the moment.

"It was just so funny and I didn't think any more about it until later when it aired on TV and the next day I was in all the papers, it was mighty craic and today I suppose you could say they've brought me luck!"

Having entered the Tramore Style Stakes for the past eight years without even making the final, Louisa said winning was "a dream come true".

"I've been dressing up for ladies day for the last eight years here at Tramore Races and I've never been picked even as a finalist, so to be picked out and to actually win is really a dream come true, I'm delighted!"

Her husband, John Flavin, is a local horse trainer, and on the morning of racing, they had over 100 guests visit their racing yard for an open morning.

Louisa commented: "Just this morning I was cooking breakfast and making sausage blaas for our guests to enjoy after their tour with John around the yard to see all the horses and now this, it's been a really great day!"

Louisa takes home a two-night stay at Waterford Castle with dinner, breakfast and €500 cash, courtesy of Waterford Castle Resort and Walsh Group Hotels.

Runners-up on the night were Roisin Logan, along with Gillian Kelleher and Raymon Gilbourne, who each won afternoon tea and golf for two at Waterford Castle.

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