The famous faces who partied and played at Derby Day 2024
Celebrities, politicians and sporting stars were among the big names who mingled at the glamorous Birdcage enclosure on Derby Day. See all the famous faces who partied in style.
Victoria
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Racing enthusiasts have flocked to Flemington Racecourse for the start of Melbourne’s Spring Carnival.
An estimated 80,000 fans streamed through the gates of Flemington Racecourse for the traditional Cup Carnival curtain raiser.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival generated more than $468m for the state’s economy last year, according to government figures.
”Nobody does spring racing like Victoria,” Racing Minister Anthony Carbines said.
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival will also provide a massive boost to our hotels, retailers, cafes and restaurants – backing localjobs and keeping our city buzzing with excitement.”
Style and sophistication rein in Birdcage
Actor/model Abbey Lee Kershaw was a combination of edgy and sophisticated in a bondage-inspired vintage Mugler black dress with a veiled headpiece in the Lexus marquee.
Kershaw was accompanied by her father, former Hawthorn player Kim Kershaw. She is part of the cast of Kevin Costner’s latest odyssey Horizon and is also back at the top of the modelling tree with a recent campaign for Gucci.
Melbourne style queen Bec Judd was spectacular in a strapless white custom made Bianca and Bridgett dress with a cape that attached to detachable sleeves. Judd was having a girls’ day out at the Crown marquee with three friends while her husband, Chris, was a guest in the Chairman’s Club.
Making the Lexus deck the most fashionable place in the Birdcage were fellow models Jessica Gomes, Montana Cox and Mary Vitinaros – who talked down whispers something was brewing between her and tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Carrie Bickmore, who is looking more and more like her radio buddy Jackie “O” Henderson, was propped on a couch on the Lexus deck with Sharon Hart. Nearby Rozalia and Nick Russian exchanged betting tips with Jane and Joey Scandizzo.
Nova FM breakfast host Lauren Phillips was at the track with Lauren Tarrant. Fashion designers Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino from J’Aton were spotted chatting with various stylists while designer Effie Kats was a photographer’s favourite. Jessie Murphy looked fresh and stylish in a white strapless dress with a dropped waist and voluminous skirt by Cappellazzo Couture.
Racing and fashion identity Kate Waterhouse stood out among the many elegant women in Lexus in a stunning custom-made Scanlan and Theodore fringed dress teamed with a classically elegant large brimmed hat. She was joined in the marquee by her brother Tom Waterhouse and his wife, Hoda.
Melbourne star Christian Petracca and fiancee Bella Beischer relaxed in the marquee having not long returned from a European holiday.
Petracca said he was looking forward to next season with the Demons, but first planned to relax during Cup Week.
“It is really important for all us boys to switch off (during the off season) and get away because during the season mentally it is quite fatiguing,” he said.
Petracca said good food and wine was a passion.
“Being of Italian heritage my family grew up around wine, my dad even makes his own wine, so to be here with Penfolds is awesome,” he said.
“Obviously with the footy season it is hard to have a few drinks, but I do like a nice red.”
Jessie Murphy looked fresh and stylish in a white strapless dress with a dropped waist and voluminous skirt by Cappellazzo Couture.
Having recently moved back to Melbourne following the breakdown of her second marriage, Lindy Klim stepped out with her daughter, Stella, in the Crown marquee. Lindy has been a birdcage regular over the years and made sure to make a fashion statement in Dolce & Gabbana.
Aspiring model Stella, who towers over her mum, took a sports-luxe route in Henne.
Penfolds’ guest Lucia Hawley, a keen horse rider, red carpet enthusiast and niece of Nicole Kidman, chose a black cocktail-inspired Toni Maticevski frock and Louboutin heels for her day at the track.
A slimmed down, styled up Billy Brownless put his new look down to two things – 1. he is shredding for his daughter Ruby’s March wedding and 2. his new girlfriend Crystle Fleur.
The pair, who were guests in the Crown marquee, met at a Geelong Football Club game and have been dating for more than four months.
Meanwhile, the AFL’s most delightful couple Josh Daicos and Annalise Dalins chatted with Brooke, Summer and Jackson Warne.
Brooke Warne said after seeing Coldplay’s first two Melbourne shows they were heading to show three on Saturday night and the final show of the band’s Melbourne run on Sunday.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin was a close friend of Australian cricket great Shane Warne and remains close to his family following his death in 2022.
“It is very special, we are just so grateful to have someone as incredible as Chris in our lives,” Brooke said.
“He is (was) one of Dad’s best friends and he always looks after us and he is family. We have been going to Coldplay since I was seven years old.”
Brooke said she would be at Oaks Day on Thursday with her late father’s former fiance Elizabeth Hurley and her son Damien.
Politicians including Ben Carroll, Michael O’Brien, Sam Groth and David Hodgett were among those mingling at Crown, as was Visit Victoria board member Peter Crinis.
Carlton president Luke Sayers was in full networking flight while Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft enjoyed the corporate hospitality.
A slimmed down, styled up Billy Brownless put his new look down to two things – 1) he is shredding for his daughter Ruby’s March wedding and 2) his new girlfriend Crystle Fleur. The pair met at a Geelong Football Club game and have been dating for more than four months.
Brownless was spotted at one point sharing his fitness tips with Sam Wood, founder of 28 by Sam Wood.
At the GH Mumm marquee, naturally, the champagne free flowing with the interior built to resemble the interior of a private jet. Olympic golden girl Emma McKeon – requiring a make-up touch up after getting covered in champagne after doing the Mumm bottle ‘tap tap’ - had her partner Cody Simpson by her side in the marquee. Simpson’s mum Angie and sister Alli were at the other end of the Birdcage as guests of Penfolds.
Racing influencer Demi Brereton also chose a white Forever New dress but paired it with a divine 60s-inspired pillbox hat with a dramatic long black and white bow by Kim Fletcher Millinery.
Pin and Win ambassador Olivia Molly Rogers was another who went for all white, sporting a refined Oglia-Loro Couture dress with a simple white headband.
Presenter Elly Wicks was elegant in a black Vivienna Lorikeet with embellished white flowers.
Black and white but crowds bring colour
FASHIONS ON THE FIELD
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Originally published as The famous faces who partied and played at Derby Day 2024
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