The attention turned from the parade ring to proposals for two Dublin Racing Festival punters after they got engaged at Leopardstown last Saturday.
Not only did punter Sarah Breen pick a shock winner at the Irish Gold Cup, but she also picked up a fiancee after her partner Chris Foley popped the question shortly after the big win.
The Kerry couple have been together ten years but had a day to remember at the festival, picking 20/1 shot Conflated in the feature race before Chris got down on one knee by the winning post.
“We got to just past the winning post and I actually thought Chris was trying to close his jacket because of the wind – it was a rotten day weather-wise,” Sarah told Horse Racing Ireland.
“He attempted to get down on one knee but I was like ‘Jesus, get up!’. I was paranoid because of the cameras. All I could think of was getting our proposal caught on Racing TV!
“So he didn’t quite get down on one knee but that was where he asked me and of course, I said yes.
“On our way back up the steps, a couple of people stopped us to say congratulations, which was nice. I don’t think anyone got it on camera, so I’m delighted – I would have died!”
She added: "I picked the ring out a couple of weeks ago but for Chris to ask on Saturday was a total shock – I didn’t expect it then. But it was a really fitting way to do it as I love racing. If I could go every weekend, I would.”
And as they returned the following day to see Honeysuckle romp to victory in the Champion Hurdle, attention switched to the big day.
“If I could, I’d love to get married on a racetrack,” she said. “I’m sure there’ll be some reference to horse racing one way or another.
“We just love going to the races. It doesn’t matter to us what track it is – it could be Cheltenham or a Tuesday at Killarney, we enjoy the day out all the same.
“It’s the best day out, it’s so enjoyable, and I’m always trying to recruit people for it.
“I’ll definitely be having my hen party at the races, whatever happens!”
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