Anthony Ryan - sponsoring Ladies' Day at the Galway Races
Anthony Ryan has not given much thought to his outfit for next Thursday. He knows that all eyes will be on the woman to whom he will be handing a Ronan Halpin sculpture and a €3,000 shopping voucher. As sponsor of the best-dressed competition on Ladies' Day at the Galway Races, the owner of Ryan's department store in Galway will not have a say in the merits of silk over linen, or bias-cut over empire.
The interest in Ladies' Day is "phenomenal" he says. "It's more of an award than a competition. We have spotters out walking the enclosure and if they see someone looking exceptionally well, they will ask if they would like to be included."
Do many decline the honour? "Some do. They are just there for the races and want to keep a low profile." Last year there were 48,000 people in the enclosure. "I'd say 60 per cent were women." Local hotels are booked up months in advance for race week, and places in corporate tents, including the famous Fianna Fáil gathering, are booked a year ahead. Tote Ireland expects to take more than €8 million, and the bookies should clear €20 million.
"I do get a chance to see a race. Generally you might put on a bet and if you feel you have a good tip you might do a maximum double. For me that would be about €100. I certainly enjoy it. It's a tough week running my own business and going racing in the afternoon, but it's a real community effort with local businesses investing in the races."
The last day of the meeting, next Sunday, sees a different kind of competition. The Mad Hatter Day judges, RTÉ presenter Emma O'Driscoll and former Miss World Rosanna Davidson, will pick the most "stylish, creative and outrageous hats" worn by children, women and men. "I haven't even thought of what I'm going to wear," says Ryan. "It's one of the advantages of being a man." Catherine Cleary.
• The Galway Races take place from Monday to Sunday at Ballybrit, Galway.