She usually spends her days answering media queries about hospital procedures and medical ailments, but yesterday Laoise Ó Murchú found herself fielding questions about her hat, her dress and her nail polish.
The Tallaght Hospital public relations executive won the Best Dressed Lady title at the Curragh racecourse, netting herself a €3,000 Debenhams voucher in the process. The 31-year-old Athy woman's elegant cream confection of a dress was made by designer Robert Jacobs and she made the hat herself to top off the winning look.
"I really didn't think I would win," she said afterwards, although the simplicity of her outfit stood out in the sea of multi-coloured feathers and false tan. It was also a local victory on the equine front when Marguerite Weld's filly Nightime won the Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas with jockey Pat Smullen. As well as being mother to champion trainer Dermot Weld, the formidable 90-year-old is a respected breeder in her own right on the Curragh.
It was also a very special day for her trainer and son Dermot.
"I thought when Grey Swallow won the Irish Derby it was my most enjoyable day but this is up there with that. This is the day," he said.
Earlier, Hurricane Run recalled the memory of last year's Budweiser Irish Derby when he again powered to victory at the Curragh. Only two other horses were brave enough to take on the favourite.
"Job done, thank God for that," said his satisfied jockey Kieren Fallon as he left the parade ring.
The victory compensated for Saturday's Curragh racing when Fallon's mount George Washington threw a tantrum and refused to go into the parade ring or the stalls.
He was the favourite to win the Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas, but after all that drama he was beaten by Araafa at odds of 12/1.