It promises to be one of the liveliest sporting events of the summer, and the Galway Races, which thrives on its passionate crowds will be made even more so this year after running behind heavily restricted crowds for the last two years.
Yesterday in the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse the party officially got started with the launch of this year’s race week in front of a room packed with sponsors, influencers, media and supporters.
The excitement was palpable and the Guinness 0.0 was flowing.
The seven-day meeting, which runs from Monday, July 25, will have a total prize fund of €2.164 million, an increase of €346,500 on last year.
Each day offers a minimum prize fund of €100,000 for the feature race, with a minimum value for any race at Galway now standing at €17,000.
Sponsorship
The Guinness Galway Hurdle on Thursday is worth €270,000 to the winner, the same as the Tote Galway Plate on Wednesday.
Demand for race sponsorship has always proved strong for the Galway Races with this Summer seeing some new names added to the sponsor’s roster including BoyleSports who will headline the Saturday card with the ‘BoyleSport Handicap Hurdle’ valued at €110,000, as well as Grá Chocolates and Bathshack.
Feature races on the supporting card include The Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap of €110,000, The Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap of €120,000, and The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund “Ahonoora” Handicap of €110,000.
Tote Ireland, title sponsor of Wednesday’s race card on July 26th will extend its association across the week by sponsoring the stable staff canteen on all seven days of the Galway Races Summer Festival.
Facilities
There will be a new improved enclosure layout, new bars, additional covered marquees and public seating, plus the addition of a new Parade Ring Lounge that’s already proving popular with advance bookings.
‘The Club’ which was launched for fans in 2020 has now passed the 1,800-member mark and gives access to the Club Bar which will be located in the Amenity Building to the rear of the Millennium Stand.
There will be more than fifty live music performances and entertainers over the seven days of the festival, including the highlight on Galway Plate Day, Nathan Carter and band for the Country Music Day.
Ambassadors
This year Galway Races launched a new Brand Ambassador Programme, inviting fans to become ‘super fans’ for their Summer event.
“The passion and loyalty of our fans is hugely evident, especially in the run-up to, and during the Summer Festival,” said Michael Moloney Chief Executive of Galway Racecourse.
“Social Media has allowed fans to become more closely knit and feel more part of our team.”
“This Summer we wanted to connect on a deeper level with our fans and invite people to register to become an official Brand Ambassador. We had a brilliant response and I’m delighted today to announce our new seven Galway Races Brand Ambassadors: Darly Miley, Claire Kelly Badger, Robert Moloney, Kate Conlon, Gareth Danaher, Gary Toohey and Maia Kridichart O’Connor’”.
Each ambassador receives a seven-day VIP pass to the Summer Festival, official Galway Races merchandise, plus an opportunity to meet up close and personal the stars of Irish racing.
The Galway Races contributes over €54 Million to the local economy. Advance ticket sales have proved very strong, pacing ahead of 2019 figures.
To celebrate the return of their full festival and to thank customers for their support over the last few years, Galway Races have a special offer on general admission tickets with €5 off each ticket up to the day of the race meeting, plus a new €70 three-day bundle ticket and a new flexi-ticket offer, all available to buy online via www.galwayraces.com
Broadcast
The first four days of the Galway Races will be broadcast by RTÉ Television, coming live from Ballybrit at 5 pm for over two and a half hours of commentary and insights, that includes the feature race on each day plus four supporting races each day.
TG4 will broadcast live on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July. The live coverage on TG4 will include sixteen action packed races over the two days and feature races such as The Guinness Handicap, The Galway Blazers Steeplechase, and The BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle on Saturday.
Racing TV will also broadcast every one of the 52 races.
The Connacht Hospitality Group will sponsor both the Best Dressed Lady competition with a €10,000 cash prize, and €3,000 to the winner of the Best Hat. Athlone Town centre enters its tenth year leading the ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ competition.
Businesses across Galway City and County are being invited to take part in their ‘Decorate to Celebrate’ competition. Businesses, no matter what size, could be in with a chance of winning an exclusive prize of a VIP Day at the races for their team worth €3,000 plus tickets for the races.
And if you think that was a dizzying range of announcements, wait until you get to the race week itself.
Sport for Business Partners
