In two weeks time the Galway Races will be underway staging its 150th Summer Festival. For a century and a half, people from all over Ireland and abroad have been heading to Galway in their tens of thousands to enjoy the highly anticipated annual seven-day Galway Races.
This year plans are in place for what will be an extra special year. Prizemoney has been boosted to a record-breaking level in Galway to over €2.3 million, an increase of €250,000 on last year. With fifty-two races over the seven days, each day offers a minimum prize fund of €120,000 for the feature race, with a minimum value for any race at Galway standing at €17,000.
The hotly contested thetote.com Galway Plate on Wednesday 31st July, a race synonymous with Galway and key to the history of the Festival, has received a significant increase of €50,000 with the prize fund for the 150th running of this race now standing at €300,000.
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins is once again expected to present the Galway Plate to winning connections.
The Galway Races contributes over €54 Million to the local economy. Advance ticket sales have proved very strong, pacing ahead of last year’s figures. The first five days of corporate hospitality are completely sold out with active waiting lists and limited availability for the weekend.
Guinness recently announced the renewal of its partnership with the Galway Races. The sponsorship is set to continue for another five years, making Guinness the longest continuous sponsor of horse racing in Ireland.
“We are delighted to continue our longstanding commitment to the Galway Races,” said sponsorship manager Paddy Carbery.
“Guinness has been involved with the Galway Races for 54 years, it’s exciting to be here for the 150th anniversary of the festival. We’re looking forward to another brilliant racing festival this summer and seeing who comes in at the Guinness Galway Hurdle.”
Racegoers this year will be treated to a complimentary Galway Races 150th lapel pin and a commemorative brochure as a memento to celebrate the year
Join us next week for an interview with Michael Moloney, General manager at Galway Racecourse.
