Galway’s week-long summer festival drew 116,374 attendees in 2024, and with horse-racing attendance across Ireland rising 6.9% in the first half of 2025, organisers are optimistic that this year’s festival will match or exceed that figure.
On-course betting has also surged, in figures we reported from last week, with total stakes up 12% to €39.3 million, underlining strong fundamentals in the sport.
Economists estimate the Galway Festival contributes over €58 million annually to the local economy, with roughly €23 million spent on accommodation, travel, hospitality, and entertainment in Galway City
Coming off the back of the Galway International Arts Festival, race week contributes to the importance of seasonal employment in hotels, bars, restaurants, retail, and services.
The festival’s €2.17 million prize pot across 53 races, is highlighted by the €270,000 Galway Plate and Hurdle races.
On the commercial front, headline sponsorship remains strong. Tote Ireland celebrates its 15-year backing of this evening’s flagship Galway Plate. BoyleSports has renewed its title sponsorship of the Saturday feature, cementing brand presence amid its UK expansion push, including on the shirt front of West Ham United, as reported earlier this month.
Other longstanding partnerships include Guinness’ sponsorship of tomorrow’s Galway Hurdle, the Connacht Hotel’s opening-day sponsorship and Chanelle Pharma’s long-standing support of fashion initiatives, and the leading trainer awards.
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