WA’s Newest Country Racing Fashion Ambassador
4 November, 2017
WA Country Cups
Sport and fashion enthusiast, Abbey Gelmi, is set to become the 2018 Ambassador for Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s (RWWA) WA Country Cups Fashions on the Field.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be the WA Country Cups Ambassador. As a proud Perth girl I can’t wait to help showcase all the best racing, fashion and glamour our state has to offer. It’s such an exciting time to be involved with WA racing and I am delighted to be a part of it,” said Ms Gelmi.
As the granddaughter of Australian Gold Medallist Herb Elliott, Ms Gelmi has grown up with a deep appreciation and love of sport. Her current roles also include being a Fox Sports Presenter, and an Ambassador for the Australian Turf Club (ATC).
“I grew up in a family that loved sport. I was that kid who was always trying to keep up with my brother playing football and cricket – I even played cricket for a club up until I was 13! When I was awarded an internship with Fox Sports in Sydney I couldn’t believe I’d landed a job where I got to talk about sport for a living. Two years later I’m the Breakfast News Presenter and also travel around with the NBL. Again, I’m a very lucky girl,” said Ms Gelmi.
“My role with the ATC also means I’ve had so many wonderful experiences at the track. One of the most recent experience was that I happened to be standing next to the connections of Redzel at Royal Randwick when he won the inaugural Everest race. Watching the owners cry and celebrate as their horse crossed first in the $10 million race was unbelievable and damn emotional! I was also wearing red on the day so people started congratulating me like I might have been an owner – I wish!”
Whilst Ms Gelmi is currently based in Sydney with her role at Fox Sports, Western Australia will always be home with her parents living here and also having shares in some local horses.
“I’m passionate about Western Australian racing and I will always have a soft spot for Ascot as it was my first day at the track. When I was young I remember looking at the horses in the yard and being in total awe of them. 20 years later and not much has changed!!” said Ms Gelmi.
“I was lucky enough to be in Perth last year for the Summer Carnival with my partner Ben Way who presents with Sky Racing and we had the best time. Western Australia can certainly match it with the best of them and I’m excited to be part of it all again this year and beyond.”
Not only does Ms Gelmi have a strong passion for sport, she is also no stranger to the world of fashion.
“I’ve always loved fashion and through racing I have judged and hosted fashion events with the likes of Edwina Mccann, Nerida Winter, Aishwarya Rai, Elizabeth Debicki and more. To work with these women is to know and be around true style. It’s a dream gig and it’s always so fun to see what outfits the entrants have created,” said Ms Gelmi.
“I also did a bit of modelling back in Perth with Chadwicks Modelling Agency, but now I leave that to the girls in the parade!”
Ms Gelmi will be making an appearance at the 2017 WA Country Cups Fashions on the Field Final weekend, as a guest at the WA Country Cups High Tea at Pan Pacific Perth on December 1, and will be the MC for the Final at Ascot Racecourse on December 2.
The winner of the 2017 WA Country Cups Fashions on the Field Final will take home a trip for two to London with Motive Travel, to attend Royal Ascot, as well as $10,000 spending money thanks to TABtouch, a diamond piece from Leon Baker Jewellers and a voucher for popular Western Australian handbag and accessory label, Jessica Bratich.
For more information head to www.wacountrycups.com.au.