Style Evening at the Tramore Races August Racing Festival took place on Saturday evening and the winner was a firm favourite with the crowd.

Local woman Louisa Murphy caught the eye of the fashion scouts early in the evening with style judge Niamh de Brún commenting “it was a tough decision but for me, she was always the one to beat!”. 

Louisa wore a stunning two piece from the sustainable fashion label Farm Rio paired with a Millinery by Mel hat, Manolo Blahnik heels, earrings by Rosie and Dot and a bag she purchased from a beach trader in Duncannon, Co. Wexford just two weeks ago to complete her stylish look.

Her heels were the ‘talk of the festival’ as Louisa explained to the audience: “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! 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!

17/08/2025. From ‘stuck in a grate’ at Galway Races to a ‘winner alright’ at Tramore!
Louisa Murphy wins the Style Stakes at Tramore Races. Photograph: Patrick Browne

A popular winner, Louisa is a hairdresser from Tramore, in fact she owns two successful salons in the town and one in Wexford. 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!”

Her prize complements of Waterford Castle Resort & Walsh Group Hotels includes a two-night stay at Waterford Castle, complete with breakfast and dinner and €500 cash. Not be forgotten the runners-up, Roisin Logan and husband and wife duo Gillian Kelleher and Raymon Gilbourne, who won afternoon tea and golf for two at Waterford Castle also.

The final day of the four-day August Festival takes place today (Sunday) with the first race off at 2.30pm.

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