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Sarah McDermott from Newbridge, Co. Kildare has been announced as winner of Friday’s Most Stylish sponsored by Athlone Towncentre at the Galway Races. 

Wearing a patterned playsuit & blazer co-ord by Kevin Jon from Harper Boutique in Galway, Sarah elevated her look with shoes from Carvela and a Prada handbag which she borrowed from a friend.

She completed her race going outfit with a navy headpiece designed and made by Australian Milliner Rebecca Share which she hired from Hats Amore, Newbridge.  The easy elegance of her outfit perfectly complemented Friday evening racing in Ballybrit.

The wonderful win topped off a most exciting week for Sarah as she got engaged to her now fiancé Eoin Stakelum on Sunday having just turned 30 a few days previously!

Sarah takes home the biggest Prize Fund on offer for the competition yet, which is worth in excess of €3500.  She has won a €2000 Athlone Towncentre Gift Card, a luxury two night break in the four star Sheraton Athlone Hotel in a Deluxe Tower Room with dinner & spa treatments and a gift card to select a piece of her choice from Fields The Jeweller, who are one of the many retailers located in Athlone Towncentre.

Speaking about her delight at being announced as winner of Friday’s Most Stylish sponsored by Athlone Towncentre, Primary School Teacher Sarah saidI’m absolutely thrilled!  My friends & I had a wonderful day racing yesterday.  While I had today’s outfit ready to go I can’t believe I was considering not coming to the racecourse as I was a little tired following all of yesterday’s fun.  I’m now just delighted I made the decision to!  This has topped off an incredible week for me personally.”

Photo credit: Hany Marzouk

With the competition in its tenth year, ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ at the Galway Races has proven to be one of the biggest gatherings of race going fashion lovers, and this year’s judging panel included Bláthnaid Treacy, RTÉ Television Presenter and Marietta Doran, Fashion Stylist & Racing Style Presenter, as well as Shirley Delahunt, Manager of Athlone Towncentre.

Judge Marietta was confident in the winning choice stating “I just thought Sarah’s outfit summed up what Athlone Towncentre’s ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ winning look should be – colourful, vibrant, elegant and fun. When we both set eyes on Sarah, Bláthnaid and I said at the same time – she was the lady to beat!  She was our favourite from the outset.  Head to toe, everthing was on point. Very on trend but very glamorous at the same time.  I think she encapsulates what a Friday’s Most Stylish winner should look like.”

Athlone Towncentre Manager Shirley Delahunt says we are thrilled to see another deserving winner of this years Fridays Most Stylishcompetition.  The decision in choosing a winner proved to be highly challenging with so many beautiful looks worn by women enjoying this evenings Racing in Galway.  Sarah has demonstrated that racing style is more about reflecting onesindividual personality and love of style as opposed to spending an exorbitant amount of money on clothing one cannot wear more than a handful of times.  Friday evening of race week is a highlight in the calendars of stylish race goers from far & wide.  We have seen a real evolution of style at the races over the last number of years which perfectly complements the high street stores and boutiques we house in Athlone Towncentre.”

Social Media fans can check out all the behind the scenes action from Friday’s Most Stylish 2022 on Athlone Towncentre Facebook and Instagram accounts which were taken over on the day by Rebecca Rose Quigley, a previous winner of Friday’s Most Stylish who is now a talented stylist and influencer and forms part of the Personal Shopping Team in Athlone Towncentre.