Fashion In The Field

Fashion In The Field

Fashion in the Fields will be back in 2026 at J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes Day (Saturday, 14 February). More about the day here including hospitality options to upgrade your raceday experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the prizes and categories plus a supreme prize that will see one lucky lady win their way into The Ned Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie on Champions Day, it's a competition that's well worth entering.

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Categories for 2026

Osteria Best Dressed Male - Winner will receive a voucher valued at $500 from Osteria
Habit Hair Studio Outstanding Headwear 2026 – Winner will receive a Habit Hair Studio voucher valued at $500
Jane’s Fashion & Footwear Local Lady 2026 - Winner will receive a Jane’s Fashion & Footwear voucher valued at $500
Elsdon Park & Tuscany Road Best Dressed Female – Winner will receive a $800 Emma Lewisham prize pack from Elsdon Park and $500 travel voucher from Tuscany Road

One of our category winners will also be named The Ned & Life Pharmacy Matamata Supreme Fashion Winner for 2026 and receive an additional The Ned Magnum & gift basket from Life Pharmacy as well as being Matamata Racing Club's representative in The Ned Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie in March.

Introducing your judges...

We're thrilled to welcome Lulu Wilcox (RHS) and Soraya Gurney (LHS) to the judging panel for 2026.

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What do the judges look for?

Appropriateness for the raceday
Suitability for the weather conditions of the day
Style and originality
Attention to detail
A headpiece is an essential component of raceday for the ladies
Understanding and interpretation of current fashion trends
Grooming and deportment

Entrants may use any fabric or materials in the construction of their outfit (including head wear), but are reminded that a competitor’s ensemble should be appropriate for the weather conditions of the day.

Judged by a panel selected by the club, participants compete for some fabulous prizes!

Fashion In The Field Information

Entry
Information on how to enter and other details form part of these terms and conditions. If there is a conflict between the information on how to enter and these terms and conditions, these terms and conditions will prevail.

Entry is free.
Contestants must check in at the registration marquee on the day between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm to complete the registration process for the main competitions. Entrants who do not complete this process will be disqualified.
All entrants must be aged 18 years or older.
Entrants into the Jane’s Fashion Local Lady category must live within the Matamata/Morrionsville/Te Aroha/Tirau area and must NOT have previously received a placing in a Fashion in the Field category at any other New Zealand competition.
Matamata Racing Club (MRC) reserves the right to request proof of age.
Entrants may only enter in their private capacity. Entries on behalf of a third party, including commercial enterprises, will result in disqualification.
Outfits must not commercially promote a brand, store, designer, or other commercial enterprise. Breaches will result in disqualification (at MRC’s discretion).
Contestants must not receive any payment or benefit from third parties, including commercial enterprises, in connection with their participation.
Entrants must not be dressed or styled by designers or milliners. Breaches will result in disqualification (at MRC’s discretion).
Individuals professionally involved in producing fashion, hats, or accessories are ineligible to enter if their role is deemed to provide an advantage (at MRC’s discretion).
Photographs of entrants and winners taken on the day become the property of MRC and may be used for promotional purposes.
By entering, participants consent to receiving information from MRC and those sponsors listed under “Prizes.”
Entrants must maintain the integrity of the event and act in good faith when referencing MRC
By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

Winners

Winners (of which there are 4 category winners and 1 overall winner) are selected from contestants who have registered on the day.
The overall winner of Fashions in the Field known as the Supreme Winner (chosen from the 3 female category winners i.e Outstanding Headwear, Local Lady and Womenswear) will represent MRC in The Ned Prix de Fashion 2026 on Champions Day (7 March 2026).
Announcements will be made via public address. Contestants must appear 10 minutes before the start time of heats, finals, or presentations, or risk disqualification.
Prizes are awarded to the wearer of the winning outfit and are not transferable.
Winners may be required for up to 30 minutes after the presentation for photos and media.
Winners agree to participate in promotional activities for up to 12 months after the event.
Judges’ decisions are final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into.

Prizes
Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. If any prize is unavailable, MRC may substitute it with a prize of equal or greater value. Winners are responsible for collecting their prizes.
The Ned/Life Pharmacy Supreme Winner:

Gift basket from Life Pharmacy Matamata
A magnum of The Ned wine
Qualifying spot in The Ned Prix de Fashion semi-final (7 March 2026)

Elsdon Park & Tuscany Road Best Dressed Women

$800 Emma Lewisham Prize pack and a $500 Travel Voucher

Outstanding Headwear

Habit Hair Studio Prize - $500 voucher

Osteria Matamata Menswear

Osteria Matamata $500 Voucher

Jane’s Fashions Local Lady

Jane’s Fashion & Footwear $500 Voucher

Matamata Racing Club Racedays

If any part of the raceday is cancelled or postponed due to reasons beyond MRC’s control, no substitute event or compensation will be provided.
MRC reserves the right to reschedule the raceday and will use reasonable efforts to offer a comparable experience.
MRC is not liable for disruptions caused by events beyond its control (e.g., adverse weather).
The promoter is Matamata Racing Club. Employees and their immediate families, as well as representatives of MRC or sponsors, are not eligible to enter.