BEAUTICIAN Rachel Thorley made history when she was crowned Queen of Fashion at Killarney Races in Ireland.

The 32-year-old, from Whitegate, became the first English woman to scoop the award – and the success earned her an all-expenses- paid trip to New York.

And it was all thanks to her eye for a bargain.

While many of her competitors spent months planning expensive, flamboyant outfits in a bid to win the coveted ladies’ day title, Rachel spent just £100 on her stylish look for the meeting in mid July.

Her Chloe imitation black and white dress, and her feathered hat were picked up for peanuts on internet auction site eBay. Only her velvet shoes – £60 from Top Shop – forced her to dig a little deeper in her pockets.

Rachel, who runs the Beauty Barn in Whitegate, said: “I feel a bit guilty because so many ladies had gone all out to win, while I never even give the ladies’ day competition a thought.”

“I was surprised to be picked for the final and even more shocked to win. But it was lovely to get the prize in the end and I couldn’t believe all the attention that came with it!”

Rachel was shortlisted along with her sister Julia and 13 other hopefuls. But there could only be one winner and the farmer’s daughter was presented with flight and hotel tickets to the Big Apple, along with a specially commissioned crystal vase.