It is one of the staples of the Irish sporting summer but things are so, so different this year with the Galway races taking place behind closed doors.
That does not mean though that they will simply pass us by with a major campaign having played out over recent weeks to promote #GalwayRaceAtHome.
The coverage will still be on RTÉ TV, with action getting underway at 5-30 this evening and running through the Festival highlights of the Guinness Galway Hurdle and the Tote Galway Plate as the week progresses.
Social media will be abuzz with material from Sinead Cassidy and the team at Ballybrit and while images like that captured above by James Crombie of Inpho.ie will paint a picture of unfamiliarity, this is a case of dealing with change and making the best of it.
Here are some of the images and messages that have kicked off an opening day that we could never have imagined when the curtain came down on last year’s 150th anniversary celebrations…
Early start at @Galway_Races It’s all a bit different this year but everyone making most of the situation we’re in. I’ll have the @morningireland sport live from Ballybrit at 0735 & 0835 on RTE Radio 1 pic.twitter.com/MJvAuVWrOe
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) July 27, 2020
Super news @racingblogger @gelliott_racing #GalwayRacesatHome #LetsRace https://t.co/d2CNcNZ3Fp
— Galway Races (@Galway_Races) July 26, 2020
Two great Festivals coming your way on Racing TV this week. Enjoy! 🐴@Galway_Races #GalwayRacesatHome #StaySafe@Goodwood_Races #QatarGoodwoodFestival pic.twitter.com/oN1pVY6nNY
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 26, 2020
Very best of luck to the @Galway_Races team and @sineadcas for the week ahead… A different races this year … but will still be tuned in and following the action right here #GalwayRacesatHome https://t.co/ihVnV0Z5Ku
— Lisa Clancy (@clancylisa) July 27, 2020
