A Kurdish-Irish hurler who was selected as one of the Best Dressed finalists at Punchestown on Wednesday thought the judges were "taking the p*ss" after they approached him while walking towards the bathroom.
Zak Moradi, who played for Leitrim, said he was pushed into wearing his Louis Copeland suit by his pals - who ignored their own advice and all went for more casual attire.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, he said: “I was going to the bathroom, they [the judges] seen me there. I had a few drinks in me … I thought they were taking the p**s.”
READ MORE: Punchestown Festival 2023 day 2 results and recap
Zak, who is the author of Life Begins in Leitrim, added: “One of the lads said to me, ‘Look, dress up and wear a suit’ … I wear a suit, no one else was wearing a suit.”
But Zak, who was born in a refugee camp in Iraq, ultimately lost out to Nomi Brennan who was named the Best Dressed at the festival yesterday.
She wowed the judges after pairing a baby pink midi dress with a black fascinator, black mules, and a matching YSL bag that she borrowed from her mum.
It comes as racing fans were left gobsmacked after wonder horse Galopin Des Champs was sensationally beaten by a 20-1 outlier in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
Golden boy JJ Slevin stormed to victory on Fastorslow in a thrilling display at the Kildare race track.
Fastorslow only had two previous wins despite making 11 runs before yesterday’s triumph.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror after the victory, JJ said: “It’s brilliant, they’re the races you dream of winning and look it’s great to get the opportunity. I’m delighted for the horse.
“It’s a great buzz to win a race like that around here. It’s brilliant.”
Galopin Des Champs, who only won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, came second.
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins-trained Gaelic Warrior won the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle following an incredible performance by Paul Townend.
Punters were in flying form at the Kildare race track as the sun shone for the entire day.
Joan Mooney, who is part of the Kildare Hunt, praised the jockeys for their hard work and dedication.
She said: “They’re very brave men, they’re the backbone of racing and they don’t get half as much credit for taking their lives in their hands and heading towards those fences at 40 miles an hour.”
“They take the knocks and they get back up again. They’re super.”
Joan said she and her pals have a unique understanding of what jockeys face on the racetrack after competing in a number of charity races at the Kildare racetrack.
She revealed: “It was fabulous, it’s like being in a fast car with the wind in your face.”
Phyllis Jones, who is the mother-in-law of the retired jockey and Irish Mirror columnist Robbie Power, said she loved going to Punchestown and seeing her pals.
She said: “I love that all my friends are here and we’re not in ones and twos meeting for coffee … it’s great craic.”
Meanwhile, punter John Flavin, 84, remained tight-lipped on the biggest bet he’s ever won, joking “My wife might be listening.”
Veteran race-goer John Cunningham, 78, who attended Punchestown for the first time in 1966 said the festival is the best in Ireland.
The Roscommon man has seen it all over the years and said he narrowly missed out on winning nearly €130,000 bet at the Kildare track in a previous year.
He told The Irish Mirror: “I had a bet here one day and all the horse had to do was come third and I would have walked away with €129,000 - but instead it came 4th and I walked away with nothing.
“It was a relatively small bet of only €50. I won't mention the trainer or jockey who lost me that much money because they’re both too well known.”
He added: “I’m a big fan of Willie Mullins, he does well every day. He had his hip replaced recently - thankfully it wasn’t his brain.”
John, who was dressed in a pin-stripe suit with a red tie, held a pair of binoculars with a number of badges from different race meets.
He said: “I might have missed one or two Punchestown but I’ve been coming consistently for 56 years - it’s the best National Hunt meeting that we have in Ireland.
“This is the home of racing. Look at how many Grade 1s are competing, it’s brilliant - having said that you couldn’t compare it to Cheltenham, there is nothing like Cheltenham.”
Dubliner Klara Schuster, who works in property, was at the festival with clients and hoping to soak up the “craic”.
The 32-year-old joked: “I’m not too in the know about horse racing. I came here last year and it was a great day out and very enjoyable but I know nothing about racing.”
While horse-racing fanatics Cian Croinn and Bobby Kellegher said they’re always at different tracks dotted around the country.
Cork man Cian, 19, said: “We go to all the festivals. I think the most money I ever won on a singular bet was about €500. If somebody was unfamiliar with horse racing, I’d tell them just pick any horse trains because it’s bound to do well.”
Following yesterday’s races, Paddy Power spokeswoman Rachael Kane said: “The sun shined on both Punchestown and the punters today as they raced in front of the bookies on the back of a score draw on day one.
“Favourites Sandor Glegane and Gaelic Warrior landed early blows only for Fastorslow to offer us some reprieve in the Gold Cup by edging the relentlessly backed Galopin Des Champs.
“However, A Dream To Share romping home in the final Grade 1 of the day led to a nightmare finish for the bookies to leave us picking up the bill for the evening’s entertainment.”
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