Best Dressed Lady, Cindy Nell-Roberts & Best Dressed Man, Siv Ngesi

Saturday, the 11^th of January saw 6 000 people, including equine enthusiasts, celebrities, fashionistas, socialites and punters gathered against the rails alongside the Kenilworth Racetrack in Cape Town to watch thoroughbreds vie for R1 million.

“The Cape’s premier horse racing event and a highlight of Cape Town’s couture calendar, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate exceeded expectations with ladies and gentlemen donning their finest blue and white fashions in pursuit of the day’s coveted Best Dressed honours,” said the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate 2014 Coordinator, Katherine Gray.

 Tracey McGregor with Jackie Wiese and Tara Osborne

With so many stylish ensembles donned, it was a challenge to select the ultimate winners but the judging panel – including local style stars, Malcom KLûk and Christiaan Gabriel du Toit (KLûK CGDT designer and co-founder), Bee Diamondhead (Marie Claire SA Junior Fashion Editor), Bronwyn Day (Glamour SA Fashion Editor), and Tammy Tinker (Merchants on Long Creative Director) - proved more than equal to the task. 

Best Dressed Lady went to model, TV presenter and former Miss South Africa, Cindy Nell-Roberts, who wore a white knee-length Jason Kieck Dress with plunging neckline and lace panel detail, paired with a fascinator from The Little Hattery.  The Best Dressed Man award went to actor/comedian Siv Ngesi, who looked dapper in a C-Squared pin-striped shirt and blue blazer, jazzed up with a bow tie and gold badge.

 Careen Truter and Marla Bryan

After the races, who claimed five-year-old bay colt, Cape Town Noir and rider, Karl Neisius as the winner, the atmosphere was set for an exhilarating electronic dance party with popular local DJs Fresh and Euphonik (F.eu) and glamorous UK queen of dance DJ Lora on the decks. 

The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate 2014 was truly a star-studded event with familiar faces such as models Tracy McGregor, Lyndall Jarvis & Lee-Ann (Liebenberg) van der Walt, surfing champ Jordy Smith, Olympic swimmer Ryk Neethling, SA rugby legends Rob Louw and Chester Williams, and TV personalities Liezel van der Westhuizen and Janez Vermeiren among others in attendance.

Thandie Kupe and Evan King

In addition to the most sought-after bragging rights of the season, winners were presented
with outstanding prizes including a R5 000 V&A Waterfront voucher (Best Dressed Man), a glamorous KLûK CGDT dress (Best Dressed Lady), Little Hattery hats and fascinators (Best Hat), Cartier fragrances, RIKKIS Taxis vouchers and wine hampers.