Fashion at the Races: A Legacy of Style and Elegance
Fashion has long been woven into the fabric of race day traditions, creating an atmosphere of elegance, sophistication, and celebration. Few social events offer the opportunity for individuals to express their unique style and flair in the way that a race day does. At Taranaki Racing, we are proud to continue this long-standing tradition by hosting our Fashion at the Races event on Saturday 24th January, as part of our much-anticipated Denis Wheeler Earth Moving Taranaki Cup Day. This exciting event also serves as a qualifying competition for the renowned Ned Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie Champions Day on Saturday, 8th March 2026.
Fashion competitions at the races are not just about clothing—they symbolize the fusion of sport and high culture, offering a stage for creativity, innovation, and prestige. Race day fashion has a rich history of elevating the social aspect of racing, attracting style enthusiasts and showcasing the best in design and presentation. Taranaki Racing is thrilled to carry on this legacy and looks forward to welcoming contestants and spectators alike for a day of racing and refinement.
CATEGORIES
Best Dressed Lady – Sponsored by GUIZE Women’s and Men’s Wear
For the lady who embodies sophistication, poise, and effortless style. A celebration of grace with every detail carefully considered.
Winning prize - TBA (Valued at $500)
Maiden – Sponsored by THE STATION
An opportunity for newcomers to shine, this category celebrates those entering the fashion scene with confidence, innovation, and flair. (Maiden - must NOT have previously received a placing in a Fashion in the Field category at any other New Zealand competition.)
Winning prize - TBA (Valued at $500)
SUPREME Winner at New Plymouth Raceway - Sponsored by TARANAKI RACING INC
These top winners will then compete for the overall Supreme Winner, qualifying for the prestigious The Ned de Prix Fashion competition at Ellerslie Champions Day on Saturday, 8th March 2025.
Winning Prize – TBA (Valued at $500-1000)
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR??
Race day fashion is an opportunity to showcase stylish, elegant, and polished looks while embracing current runway trends. Our judges will be looking for well-coordinated, fashion-forward outfits that reflect individuality and flair.
Here’s what our judges will focus on:
Coordination:
Style and Originality:
Attention to Detail:
Innovation:
Poise:
A Nod to Racing Traditions:
By keeping these guidelines in mind, participants can showcase their creativity while adhering to the timeless elegance of race day style.
HOW TO ENTER & MORE INFORMATION
Fashion on the Field - Valentine's Race Day
Join us for Fashion on the Field during our Denis Wheeler Earth Moving Taranaki Cup Day, at New Plymouth Raceway.
Registration Details:
For more information or inquiries, please contact our event manager, Kristal Kelsen, at [email protected].
Race Day Schedule
Gates open 11.30am (General Public) - However please note Fashion in the Field entries are taken earlier (From 11am) Entries closed by 12.30pm (In the Tasman room)
First Race 12.30 pm (Guests seated in corporate areas by 12.30) Bubbles served on arrival for corporate guests (Rough Habit Lounge Only)
Lunch served for corporate guests 12.45pm
Heat 1 - 1.30pm Maiden – Sponsored by THE STATION
Heat 2 - 2.30 pm Best Dressed Lady – Sponsored by GUIZE Women’s and Men’s Wear
Winners of above announced 3.15pm (Winners of the heats will then go towards the Supreme Winner Prize) All category entries will be brought back on stage (Heat by heat to announce the winners)
SUPREME WINNER ANNOUCED - 4.00pm
SUPREME Winner at New Plymouth Raceway - Sponsored by TARANAKI RACING INC
Last Race 4.42pm
***Please note these are apprx times only and may slightly change due to on course race times***
Want the best seat in the house? Upgrade your day with a Fashion Precinct Marquee ticket — stage-side views, great food, and bubbles on arrival 🥂
New Plymouth Raceway The Ned Prix De Fashion | TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Entry
• Information on how to enter and other details form part of these terms & conditions. To the extent of any inconsistency in the information on how to enter and any other details and instructions, these terms & conditions prevail.
• Entry is free to all oncourse
• Would-be contestants can ‘self-enter’ at the Registration Booth to be considered by our judges from 11.30am until 1.30pm (Times to be advised closer to the time)
• All entrants must be aged 18 years +
• Taranaki Racing INC reserves the right to ask for proof of age
• Entrants may only enter the competition in their own private capacity and not on behalf of a third party including any commercial enterprise. Any contestant found entering the competition on behalf of a third party or in a commercial capacity will be immediately disqualified from the competition and in the event they have been announced a winner, will forfeit their right to any prizes won
• Neither the contestants nor their outfits are permitted to commercially promote a brand, store, designer or any other commercial enterprise.
• Contestants must not receive any payment or benefit from a third party, including but not limited to any commercial enterprise for entering (or otherwise in connection with) the competition
• Entrants must not be dressed by or styled by a designer or milliner. Any Entrant found to be dressed by or styled by a designer or milliner will be automatically disqualified (at Taranaki Racing INC discretion).
• Any person who is in any way involved with, works as or otherwise works for an organisation or individual (including milliners or designers) that commercially produces fashion clothing, hats or similar for profit, and is deemed to receive an advantage through that position (at the Club’s discretion), is also ineligible to enter the competition.
• All photographs of entrants and winners taken on course on the day of the competition become the property of Taranaki Racing INC and may be used for future advertising and publicity purposes
• Entry in the competition is deemed as consent by the winners to appear in a reasonable amount of advertising and publicity both on the day and beyond
• By entering this competition, you are consenting to receive further information from Taranaki Racing INC and sponsors as listed below in the prize section
• Entrants must not in any way disparage or make derogatory comments in any form (whether verbally, electronically or otherwise) about the promoters, the competition, the judges, any other fashion events or other entrants at any time. If an entrant is seen or heard to be doing so they will be immediately disqualified from the competition and all other competitions run or promoted by Taranaki Racing INC.
• By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these terms & conditions
Winners
• New Plymouth Raceway The Ned Prix De Fashion Qualifiers winners will be chosen by our judges. Their decision is final.
• Announcement will be made at the fashion stage at approximately 3.30pm (Times to be advised closer to the day)
• The wearer of the winning outfit is deemed the prize-winner and prizes are not transferable into anyone else’s name
• All finalists will be required for a minimum of half an hour after the presentation
• The Winners and Finalists may be required for promotional purposes for up to twelve months after the event
• All photographs & footage of entrants and winners taken on course on the day of the competition become the property of Taranaki Racing INC and may be used for future advertising and publicity purposes for both Taranaki Racing INC, media and competition sponsors
• Winners and finalists of Taranaki Racing INC fashion competitions will be required to participate in PR and media activity. Upon accepting the Terms and Conditions, winners and finalists agree to represent ATR in a positive manner when conducting PR and media across a 12-month period from the date of the competition. This includes, but is not limited to, television, radio, print and social media
• The judges’ decision is final and binding – no correspondence will be entered into
Prizes:
• Prizes are not transferable and are not redeemable for cash. In the event that any prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond Taranaki Racing INC control, Taranaki Racing INC may substitute a prize of equal or greater value. All prizes are to be collected from Taranaki Racing INC at the responsibility and cost of the winner
• A Regional Finalist (Supreme winner of the day) will win a spot into New Zealand’s national fashions in the field final, The Ned Prix de Fashion.
• All voucher prizes are subject to the terms & conditions of the company the voucher is issued for
• Subject to any applicable law which cannot be excluded, the Promoter and any other person or party associated with the promotion shall not be liable for any loss, damage or injury suffered or sustained (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss or loss arising from negligence) arising directly or indirectly out of or in connections with the promotion or any prize
• These Terms and Conditions will be available to view in the fashion registration area on Saturday 24th Jan
Taranaki Racing INC Racedays
• If any part of the raceday including, without limitation, any race, performance or event is cancelled, abandoned or postponed, in whole or in part, for any reason whatsoever that is beyond Taranaki Racing INC control, including, without limitation, due to adverse weather conditions no obligation is assumed by Taranaki Racing INC for the arrangement of a substitute event, performance or any other element
• Due to unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary for Taranaki Racing INC to reschedule the raceday and that, if Taranaki Racing INC does so, Taranaki Racing INC will use its reasonable endeavours to provide on the rescheduled day a comparable event to the entrant as is provided for hereunder
• If Taranaki Racing INC does provide a comparable event on the rescheduled day, the entrant is bound to accept that event and these terms & conditions will apply in all respects. Under no circumstances will Taranaki Racing INC be liable to the entrant if Taranaki Racing INC is unable to provide a comparable event on a rescheduled day due to any event or cause of force majeure being any event or act beyond the control of ATR
• The promoter is Taranaki Racing INC. Employees or immediate family members of an employee or representative of Taranaki Racing INC and sponsors associated with this event are ineligible to enter