It’s a fantasy situation for many fashion fans – taking home the top prize on Ladies’ Day at the Galway Races.
But have you ever thought about how you’d spend your winnings?
For Pamela Uba, the money will be a great help in furthering her education.
Pamela, who was chosen as Her’s Best Dressed Lady at the prestigious racing event yesterday, is planning on putting the €3,000 prize money towards her Master’s degree.
She works as a medical scientist at University Hospital in Galway and is due to begin a two-year Master’s in clinical chemistry at Trinity College this September.
“It’s a specialist area, I work in the biochemistry lab so I do want to progress with that,” she tells Her.
Despite her love of fashion, the 24-year-old has no interest in splashing out on new clothes.
“I have my Master’s on my mind so I want to do that now,” she continues.
“I’m very excited about it, I can’t wait.”
Pamela turned the judges’ heads in a grey one-shoulder jumpsuit from Phoenix V and a striking pink headpiece by Irish milliner Laura Hanlon.
“I saw the jumpsuit and I absolutely loved it. I just found it and I said, I have to have it.”
Yesterday’s big win came as a huge surprise for the Mayo native, who had never even attended the Galway Races before, let alone entered the Best Dressed competition.
“It was amazing. I didn’t expect it. Me and my friend just went down to the races, we said ‘OK let’s just go and have a good time’. I was so delighted and shocked.
“I was here in college, I knew about the races and everything that would go on so I’d put a few bets here and there with my friends but I never went.”
As part of her prize, Pamela also took home a luxury trip for two to the Seychelles.
The holiday has presented her with a bit of a conundrum, she says.
“It’ll either be my boyfriend or my mum [coming with me].
“I’m sure they’ll be both be fighting for it! I’d love to go there with either one of them so I’m not sure how that’ll work out.”
And if you think that she’s taking it easy today after the high of yesterday, think again.
Pamela hit the town with her pals last night and will be back at Ballybrit this afternoon for Friday’s festivities.
“I’m heading to the racecourse today as well,” she says.
“My friends are going so I’ll be joining them, keep the party going!”
