Racing and Fashion Bonds Byrnes Family

For Sue Byrnes and her daughter, Amy, their bond is strengthened through their shared passion for the racing industry.

Both Sue and Amy have been involved in racing for most of their respective lives. Sue’s extending more than 40 years of experience owning horses in syndicates and breeding with her husband, Bernie. 

Amy’s involvement keeps alive a family tradition, beginning with her great grandfather who worked as a farrier in Ipswich. Growing up, Amy spent her childhood attending race meets throughout North Queensland, where she enjoyed not only the horses, but also the fashion and many personalities once could meet on race day. 

Racing is a family affair, the pair have multiple horses as part of syndicates with local trainer, Alby Molino, and Trevor and Peter Rowe in Cairns.

But it’s the fashions side of racing that has brought Mother and Daughter together to give back to the community that they’ve so long been part of.

Both joined the Cluden Park Fashion Committee in 2022, with Sue having been a member of the Cluden Park Management Committee for the past three years.

‘Fashion complements racing, regardless of where you are in the world, a feature race day will always entail both the racing component and fashion,’ says Amy.

‘The fashion side of racing was never my main priority as a child, with the horse racing holding most of my attention. 

‘However, my grandmother often made outfits for me and there are numerous photos of Mum and I dressed attending race meets. 

‘Winter fashion in Townsville often involved Mum dressing me in a pair of tights under a dress that Grandma had made, and other times of the year involved a pair of long white socks with frills. Mum always justifies to me that it was the fashion of the time.

‘Mum has been a member of the club’s Management Committee for the past three years, and assisting her by volunteering at different times give me the spark to join the Fashions Committee.

‘The diversity of people on the committee allows for wonderful interaction and a range of ideas to be deliberated.

‘Initial ideas on themes are a lot of fun and then seeing the event eventuate is rewarding.’

Sue was more than happy to have Amy join her in their family’s efforts to create race day experiences that all can enjoy.

‘I believe it’s very important to have different generations involved as fashion is judged across a variety of age groups,’ says Sue.

‘It’s also very important to have some knowledge of the racing industry, which Amy and I have.

‘I enjoy working with my daughter on a Fashions Committee filled with inspiring women who have diverse backgrounds in various aspects of fashion.’

For Sue and Amy, their priority as part of the Fashion Committee is to create a Fashions on the Field experience that everyone can enjoy – from the race day novice to the seasoned fashions winners.

‘The day needs to ensure that all can have a memorable experience,’ Amy affirmed.

‘This year, we’ve chosen fun and accessible themes and criteria, as well as activating the Fashions experience with dedicate areas for contestants to mingle with judges after the event, make use of photo walls, as well as champagne and nibbles, Amy added.’

‘Even for those who previously lacked the confidence to enter, the Best Dressed Duo category literally means any duo – this is not a category exclusive for romantic couples!’

Each race day in the Cluden Park Winter Racing Carnival is features its own Fashions theme. The 2YO Classic (10 June) is going to be a Millinery Showcase, Ladies Day (29 July) is themed High Tea, and will climax at Townsville Cup (12 August) as contestants are encouraged to come Très Élégant – French for Very Elegant. 

At the Lawrence & Hanson 2YO Classic, guests can experience a Millinery and Hatter Mini Market. This is an opportunity to discuss designs on display and organise your own headwear for future race days with Townsville’s top milliners and hatters.

‘This will be a fun way not only for guests to source inspiration for their next race outfit, but it’s an opportunity to see the talent of North Queensland’s milliners and hatters,’ says Amy.

The Millinery Showcase will ultimately take the spotlight in the Fashions on the Field competition, with three millinery categories comprising the day’s competition.

‘We’re taking the stress out of entering Fashions at the 2YO Classic by having our judges walk around the grounds and personally select the Top 10 pieces of Millinery. Everyone’s headwear will be considered, so make sure you can be seen,’ said Amy.

At this year’s Lady Day, Cluden Park is being visited by special guest judges racing stylist Kerrie and her mother-dressmaker Milva Carucci. 

‘We are honoured to have Kerrie and Milva join us, they are both well renowned for their fashion knowledge and designs,’ announced Amy.

‘Kerrie is a Brisbane based stylist and works for an array of Australian brands. Milva’s studio is based out of Mareeba and has inspired generations of racing fashion.’ Said Sue.

‘For Townsville Cup Day we’ve gone with Très Élégant as we want to see class, sophistication and elegance on the track. The Townsville Cup is our major event and it deserves that level of attention,’ declared Sue.

‘This year the Fashions Committee is in full swing to make the event larger, we can’t wait to see what fashion walks through the gates.’

Tickets to all Winter Racing Carnival feature race days are available now via Eventbrite.

Fashions on the Field categories and criteria will be announced shortly by Cluden Park.

Main picture: Sue (left) and Amy Byrnes (right) with Dawn Strike, trained by local trainer Joanna Hassett.