When she’s not helping her mum Nicole Irwin train race horses there’s a good chance you’ll find Jaimee Bruggemann strutting her stuff throughout South Australia in Fashion at the Races.
The 20 year old won her second state title in 2021 earning a call-up to the Myer ‘Fashions on your Front Lawn’ during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. A win at national level is the ultimate dream.
“Most of the Cups these days have fashions, so I try and follow them around especially if mum has a few runners there we go watch them and attend the fashions,” Jaimee said.
“It’s a bit more relaxing. It’s nice doing the race horses in the morning with her. But on a race day it’s fun to enjoy the day with your friends and back a few winners.”
Having already competed at the Strathalbyn Cup, Jaimee is busy preparing her outfits for the Murray Bridge Magic Millions Day (March 5), the Adelaide Cup (March 14), and Oakbank (April 16).
“It does keep me very busy between cleaning outfits, buying outfits, selling outfits, and then the week of racing you’re off getting your nails done, your hair touched up, a spray tan, and making sure every final little detail of the outfit is correct.
“The day of the races is actually quite peaceful. Once you’re ready you just go in and enjoy the day.”
The prolific show jumper is also nifty with her budget in a pursuit which can get quite expensive.
“I try and only buy outfits if they’re on sale, or second hand from friends or online but it can get very expensive especially as some of the millinery pieces are up to a thousand dollars, and some dresses are beyond that.
“So I always try and re-wear dresses and re-wear millinery where I can, to save some money.”
Jaimee has also become good friends with the girls she regularly competes against, which adds to the fun on race days.
“There’s always the same girls that do it. But then there’s a few that pop up especially if it’s a local meeting to them. It’s always exciting to see someone that’s never done it compete. But usually each race meeting has the same girls that do it which is good because we’re all friends now, so we like it when we see each other win.
“The Myer Fashions on the Field national final is definitely the dream that everyone has to win. So winning the state was one step a little closer - no luck in the national final but that’s alright.
“The past two years it was online which was a bit unfortunate, but that’s the time we live in at the moment. Because it’s online you get four outfits to enter so it’s a very stressful few months leading up and planning all your four outfits, getting professional outfits and uploading them, so yeah it’s a bit hectic but enjoyable.”
Upcoming FATR events
Port Lincoln Cup – Friday 4 March
Murray Bridge Magic Millions Day – Saturday 5 March
Clare - Sunday 13 March
Adelaide Cup at Morphettville – Monday 14 March
Kimba Cup (at Port Lincoln) – Sunday 20 March
Streaky Bay Cup – Saturday 26 March
Mount Gambier Cup – Friday 1 April
Oakbank – Saturday 16 April