They say behind every great man is an even greater woman, and this week we met Carey-Ann Lordan and Lucy Stack, two great women standing behind two notables in the equestrian world.

These ladies have racing in their blood. Not only is Carey-Ann’s father, John Harney, a bookmaker, she’s married to professional flat jockey, Wayne Lordan. Wayne’s successes include a Royal Ascot winner with Duntle, and a Group 1 winner with Sudirman at the Curragh, both for David Watchman.

“The difference between me and other jockeys’ wives is my shopping bill is more expensive because Wayne can eat what he likes,” says Carey-Ann. “He’s known as Hungry Horace. He stays eight stone no matter what. His dad and brother are jockeys too, he was just built for it.”

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Lucy Stack is the daughter of trainer Sneezy Foster and is married to Fozzy Stack, son of legendary Grand National-winning jockey and trainer, Tommy Stack.

Wayne and Fozzy are good friends, and both are involved with runners at the Curragh this weekend. Lucy and Carey-Ann will of course be there to support.

The girls are very good friends and this was apparent on makeover day as the two blondes jovially bounced out of the car in Newbridge. Both girls are very easy-going – and so perfectly suited to the demands of racing life.

“I only get a little nervous for Wayne because I want him to do well,” says Carey-Ann.

Lucy says this summer was quite testing because the ground was so hard due to the weather. “It’s a very competitive business,” says Lucy “and you’re only as good as your last win. You train the horses for six months for something that lasts 59 seconds. We’re lucky to have some great owners who’ll celebrate win, lose or draw.”

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The girls may be gorgeous, but they’re not high maintenance. “We often do our hair and make-up in the toilets at Ascot or at the airport because we get to the hotel so early the rooms aren’t ready,” says Carey-Ann.

The fact they’re mingling with Kate Middleton and co. in the Royal Enclosure 20 minutes later doesn’t seem to faze them.

“There’s no such thing as ‘we’ll miss the first race’ – we’re there at least an hour before the first race!” says Lucy.

Both ladies are based in the heart of south Tipperary. Lucy looks after the administration of Stack Racing Headquarters at Thomastown Castle Stables, while Carey-Ann runs Red PR just outside Clonmel.

She works with clients in a variety of sectors, but has a particular interest in equine, (Red PR handles all the PR for Irish Injured Jockeys), fashion and food. CL

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Clothes

Vanity Fair, Main Street, Newbridge (045-431-905).

Vanity Fair has two floors brimming with everything from mother-of-the-bride and race-wear, to high-end professional wear. The boutique also has hats, fascinators, shoes and jewellery.

Stylist: Wicklow-based Ann-Marie Proudfoot pulled these looks together. www.proudfoot.ie.

BEhind the scenes:

Hair (Aileen Maher) & make-up

(Suzie O’Neill): Shades n’ Shapes, Georges

St, Newbridge (045-432-888)

Lucy: “We did a sleek and sophisticated soft bun for the first look to match the style of the dress. She has lovely long hair so we gave her a sexy body blow-dry using heated rollers for the second look.”

Carey Ann: “For the first look, I enhanced Carey-Ann’s own natural curl with big rollers to give her the baby-doll look. We then teased up the root area to give it lasting volume. I always use Semi di lino by Alfaparf – it’s like perfume for hair. It gives a fabulous shine. We went for a chignon for the second look. It’s ideal for somebody who wants a soft but casual clip-up.”