Cape Town – Kenilworth Racecourse turned into a celebrity playground as the country’s who’s who attended the 154th L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday.
The equestrian event was recently rated as one of the world’s top five events by the Daily Telegraph.
Cape Town elite and Joburg’s hottest celebrities dressed to impress according to the blue-and-white theme, mingled and drank champagne.
The exclusive VIP Stud Club was where the select few exchanged air kisses and took selfies with admirers. Gourmet food and drinks were on offer throughout the day.
Although the serious punters were there for the horses, most were there to schmooze and to show off their fashion looks in various sponsored marquees dotted around the course.
Most people adhered into the event’s blue and white theme. Subdued outfits were topped off with eye-catching hats. Sheer, lace and knit were the popular choices for the sunny day.
Local musician Jimmy Nevis was cool in a blue suit jacket combined with cream shorts and sneakers, topped off with a blue wide-brimmed hat. A Queen’s Plate “virgin”, Nevis told the Cape Argus the theme colours gave the event a classy and elegant feel.
“Although I have attended other horse racing events such as the polo, this is by far the coolest in terms of how people dress.”
Accompanied by his girlfriend Lauren Parks, Nevis said he would spend most of this year travelling and promoting his new album The Masses. “This year is going to be a lot of fun.”
TV and radio personality Bonang Matheba wore a custom-made white jumpsuit designed by Gert-Johan Coetzee. “White is one of my favourite colours, it’s so clean and chic,” she said.
“This is my first time at the Queen’s Plate, and I love the colour theme. Cape Town is the fashion razzle of SA.”
Other known faces at the event included former beauty queens Jo-Ann Strauss and Cindy Nell, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, makeup artist Thato Mashini and Khanyi Mbau.
Deborah Calmeyer and Reggie Ansah won the best-dressed prize. Calmeyer’s one-shoulder dress by French designer Roland Mouret won an all-expenses paid trip to the Glorious Goodwood race in the UK in July.
Futura, trained by Brett Crawford and ridden by Bernard Fayd’herbe, galloped away with the R1 million prize.