After 15 years of striving for the top spot, a Bolton fashionista finally dazzled her way to victory in the “Style Stakes” at Haydock Park.
Dressed in pre-loved items bought from second hand shops and online, Elaine Beadle, from Westhoughton, turned heads as she claimed the title of best-dressed racegoer at Haydock’s annual Ladies’ Day.
Elaine, who attended Saturday’s event with her husband and daughters, bagged the prize at her 15th time of trying, fighting off competition from more than 500 other entrants, including her own family members.
Speaking about her big win, Elaine said: “It’s so incredible. I’ve been coming to Ladies’ Day for such a long time and have entered the awards on each occasion. I always encourage my daughters and their friends to get dressed-up. I get out my box of fascinators and we all love it.
“I had always thought that it would be amazing to win but it doesn’t matter if you don’t! We just come and have a wonderful day out and I honestly can’t believe that I have won.”
Elaine with runner-up Shauna Grace
Stylish Elaine was dressed in a Karen Millen dress purchased from eBay, a second-hand fascinator which was worn by her daughter to Ladies’ Day last year and shoes bought in the sale for £10.
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Elaine added: “I’m big into recycling so everything I wear is usually from Vinted or eBay. I feel everybody buys too much stuff these days and there are so many beautiful pieces out there but so often once it’s been worn once, that’s it. I just love having a second chance to wear such lovely items, like this dress.”
Prizes for this year’s event included at £2,500 holiday voucher, tickets to the 2025 Randox Grand National Festival, and two premium seat tickets to Les Misérables at the AO Arena.
General Manager of Haydock Park, Molly Day, said: “The Rose of Lancaster Carnival and Ladies’ Day is always a highlight of our summer season and I love to see the racecourse come awash with incredible colour as thousands come dressed in their finest.
“It’s always an impossible task to pick a winner but I think we all agree that Elaine is very much deserving of the accolade!
“Now all of our attentions will turn to next month’s Betfair Sprint Cup, when some of the best racehorses in the country will travel to the northwest in a bid to be crowned winner of our feature Flat race of the season.”
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