Expectant mother grabs best-dressed find at Curragh thrift store

Forget the battle for gold: the racegoers who competed for the title of ‘best dressed’ at The Curragh on Saturday were competing for the title of ‘blue ribbon’.

The Barberstown Castle Sapphire Style Awards saw some of the country’s most glamorous and fashion-forward ladies battle it out in all things style.

The 2024 prizes were perhaps the most coveted yet and certainly presented a tough decision for judges Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian.

Brian said of the day: ‘The Barberstown Castle Sapphire Award ceremony was the highlight of The Irish Oaks Weekend.

“We loved meeting all the participants and seeing how they showcased their own unique talent.”

Brian said the men deserved a special mention this year, with two making it into the top ten finalists for the best dressed competition. ‘Sean! He had a walking stick, we were all singing “Sexy, everything about you’s so sexy!”‘ he laughed, mimicking the Liberty X 90s classic.

But in the end it was Makseuda Akter, who is 38 weeks pregnant, who was chosen as Brian and Arthur’s ‘deserving winner’.

Arthur explained: ‘Her outfit, which we didn’t know was from St Vincent de Paul, was so amazing. It was also very angelic, very understated. And that shows that no matter who you are, what shape you are, you can embrace fashion, and we literally fell in love with her.’

An elated Makseuda explained that her look was very last minute. ‘I bought my dress at St Vincent, Paul, because I didn’t know. How big I was going to be! So I couldn’t prepare!

I bought my dress two days ago at a thrift store and my hat is from Fiona Rafter, she designed it.’

For Makseuda, who is also a model and actress in addition to her work as a pilot, it was a first-time lucky break. She visited the Curragh for the first time with her son and daughter, aged 13 and 14.

For her efforts she received a fantastic prize: €5,000 and a luxury stay at Barberstown Castle in September.

She also gets a fantastic day at the races, the Champions Festival, including lunch and transport.

See more of Curragh’s style below.