There are few finer places to suffer bad luck than a racecourse on a Sunday afternoon.
Last Sunday at Naas Racecourse, I was invited along by my friend Freddie, who only requested two things from me the evening before — while slightly over-served, I should add.
“Don’t know too many people,” he warned.
“And don’t be too over the top promoting those Italian ties.”
I’m proud to report he was wrong on both counts.
The day quickly turned into what can only be described as a triangle of perfection. I was wined behind the bar by a golfer friend, dined in front by a particularly horsy friend, and somewhere in between attempted to follow enough racing to justify being there in the first place.
Naturally, conversation drifted toward the ties.
The Grade 5A silk pieces we’ve recently started importing from Italy for Redhouse & Bellew seemed to gather more attention than some of the horses themselves. I was delighted to speak with several owners throughout the afternoon, many of whom took a genuine glinting interest in what we are building.
Racecourses remain one of the last great places where men still appreciate proper dressing. A good tie still means something there. It carries character, confidence, and a slight suggestion that the man wearing it may know more than he’s letting on.
The afternoon also inspired something new.
After seeing the colours, silks, movement, and atmosphere around the parade ring, we’ve begun developing a number of horse-inspired prints which, all going well, should arrive in time for the Dublin Horse Show later this summer.
And if you happen to see me there, know this:
The tie I’ll be wearing can likely be bought on the spot.
Because one piece of advice passed down from my grandparents over the years has always stayed with me — if you believe in what you sell, you should always carry one in your back pocket.
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