Paris Fashion Week was transformed into a scene from Cheltenham Festival as some of the sport’s most well-known faces gatecrashed the runway in jockey-style tracksuits.
Teaming up with Paddy Power, 59-time Festival-winning jockey Ruby Walsh and 1999 Gold Cup winner Mick Fitzgerald strutted down the catwalk in the French capital alongside some of the nation’s top models.
The stunt, staged by the bookmaker ahead of Cheltenham beginning on Tuesday, saw Walsh and Fitzgerald – as well as TV expert Matt Chapman – sport the meticulously created silk outfits which are full of homages to jump racing legends.
Walsh’s pink silk featured the bright green spots of the Ricci family, worn by stars from Willie Mullins’ yard. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald wore the yellow and black checked silks of Joe and Marie Donnelly, colours worn by multiple Cheltenham winners.
Other bespoke designs, showcased by models on the Paris runway, showed off the iconic green and gold hoops of JP McManus, while a maroon silk with a white hoop paid tribute to Gigginstown House Stud.
Harry Cobden, who is gunning for glory in Gloucestershire this week, partnered up with Paddy Power for the tracksuits and is glad to see racing silks get recognition for being fashionable.
Ruby Walsh was among those to gatecrash Paris Fashion Week in a silk jockey-style tracksuit
Walsh was joined by models – who also wore the Paddy Power gear – on the catwalk in France
This silk featured the green spots of the Ricci family, worn by stars from Willie Mullins’ yard
Walsh and Gold Cup winner Mick Fitzgerald (right) teamed up with the bookmaker for the stunt
‘Racing silks are some of the most recognisable designs in sport,’ the 27-year-old jockey said.
‘They’re bold, colourful and each one tells a story about the owners, the horses and the history behind them.
‘Racing is changing with so much fresh energy and style, so why not bring that into culture where silks can take to the streets and set new trends.’
To coincide with the start of Cheltenham, a special release of just 50 pieces from the collection will be released here at 10am on Tuesday – with another 50 slated if Cobden rides a winner this week.
‘Paris Fashion Week is used to seeing some pretty outrageous outfits, but even they might not have been ready for racing silks to crash the runway this season,’ a Paddy Power spokesperson said.
‘These colours have been part of racing history for decades – worn by champions at Cheltenham, the Grand National and beyond – so we thought it was about time they got the proper fashion treatment.
‘If the catwalk can handle them, the streets definitely can – I reckon they are going to be this year’s cult item to get your hands on.’
