Leopardstown Racecourse today announced details of a brand-new event for 2017. They are hosting a Ladies’ Evening to target discerning women in business and ladies to a race day, which will also raise funds for Breast Cancer Ireland on Friday, May 26th....
The popular Dublin track will turn pink for an uplifting evening of networking, racing and decadence including tiered Moët & Chandon Afternoon Tea, live music and top-end Flat card featuring the Listed Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes, a Royal Ascot trial race.
Taking place in conjunction with the new racing fixture and in a move away from best dressed competitions, the stylish evening will focus on a fun and sophisticated evening celebrating women and capturing that ‘Friday feeling’ with course-wide entertainment including a dedicated Ladies’ Lawn featuring a Moët & Chandon Champagne Pop-Up and Urchin Seafood Bar. Race-goers will be treated to upbeat rhythms including The Hot Club of Dublin and vintage jazzy trio, The Bugle Babes.
Pre-booked Moët & Chandon Afternoon Tea for €50pp will be available in the recently refurbished Champions Bar and Circle Lounge as well as on The Ladies’ Lawn. The luxury tiered afternoon teas will feature sweet and savoury delights accompanied by Moët & Chandon champagne. Designed to inform and inspire, The Ladies’ Evening will feature words of wisdom and empowering life-advice from Lorraine Keane and friends in a mentoring Q&A session hosted within the Champions Bar at 4.30pm.
An additional fundraising event; the Race-Forward Event, will take place in the 1888 Restaurant. Hosted by Actress & Comedian Aisling Bea, the fundraiser will include inspirational speeches from Gold Cup winning Trainer; Jessica Harrington and special guests in addition to Moët & Chandon champagne luxury afternoon teas, good-mood food from chef Indy Power and racing tips from trainer and former Champion Jockey Johnny Murtagh.
With 7 races on the card, the feature race is The Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes (Listed race) which is a well-known trial race for the Ascot Gold Cup and has been won by house-hold equine names such as Media Puzzle, Fame and Glory, Pale Mimosa, Yeats, and last year by Aidan O’Brien’s Order Of St George. The first race is off at 6pm with gates opening 4pm. With thrilling racing, course-wide entertainment and a fresh take on “ladies’ day” all funds raised go directly to supporting the Breast Cancer Ireland.
Commenting on the Leopardstown Ladies’ Racing Evening Pat Keogh, Chief Executive of Leopardstown Racecourse noted:- “We are excited to announce this brand new concept at Leopardstown, our racegoer research shows we have unique majority-female audience (51% female ABC1) so we are really focusing on the ladies for this race meeting and see this audience as key for our future development and growth. Racing has some wonderful female leaders and trail-blazers and we would like to celebrate this by hosting a empowering and fun evening at the races. We are positioned right in the heart of the Sandyford Business District and we are wanted to celebrate the many inspirational women around us whilst supporting Breast Cancer Ireland.”
Commenting on the Leopardstown Ladies’ Racing Evening Aisling Hurley CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland remarked:- “We are delighted to be involved with Leopardstown’s Ladies Evening and in so doing, further raise awareness on the importance of good breast health for women of all ages. Statistically, 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime but through ongoing research, education and awareness we aim to transform Breast Cancer from often being a fatal disease (680 deaths annually) into a treatable long term illness. Massive advances continue to be made with increasing survival rates and decreasing mortality. We have much done but lots more to do. We are extremely grateful for the support we receive and the awareness generated -thanks to everyone today for your generosity in our race for a cure.”
Tamso Doyle, Event Consultant said:- “It is wonderful to be on board with Leopardstown who are an exceptionally progressive racecourse with a dynamic team who have made huge improvements in the last few years. Their vision to create a high-end stylish event for the discerning women in Dublin has excellent timing being on a Friday evening, ideal for ladies to attend after work and use it as an opportunity to entertain clients and colleagues or spend time with friends over a delicious afternoon tea and glass of rosé champagne. Racing is the perfect place to network, dine and spend meaningful time enjoying one of Ireland’s most successful sports. I’ve often said that a glass of Moët “tastes like racing” so we are delighted to partner with them on this special inspirational celebration to raise funds for the important work that Breast Cancer Ireland do.”
Article Published: 04/04/2017