SBC News Galway Racing Festival prize money is in excess of €2 million

Galway Racing Festival prize money is in excess of €2 million

GalwayfestivalThe 2014 Galway summer festival gets underway on Monday, with Ballybrit expected to draw more than 150,000 racing enthusiasts and punters during the seven day gala.A report commissioned by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association last year, found that the festival is one of the largest in the world based on attendances and heightened media exposure, contributing millions to the local and national economy.

Several Galway hotels sponsor the opening day, with the feature race of the evening, the qualified riders handicap sponsored by the Connacht Hotel. Monday is also Sports Hero’s evening at the track, where the country’s leading sports stars will be in attendance including Irish scrum half Conor Murray and Alan Quinlan.

Highlights include the €200,000 (£158,471) tote.com Galway Plate and the Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap, which boasts a €250,000 (£198,089) prize fund. The race favourite, Pique Sous, will be representing the powerful stable of the champion trainer Willie Mullins and will be ridden by Paul Townend for the Supreme Horse Racing Syndicate.

I’m looking forward to the ride on Pique Sous,” Townend said on Monday. “He seems to be in very good form, and while you can’t be confident in a race like the Galway Hurdle, we hope he has a very good chance.”

Joanne Burke, HRI Press Officer “The Galway Races are worth an estimated €60million to the local economy taking into account accommodation, restaurants, bars, shops, hairdressers and so much more. On a national level the Galway Races attracts a large amount of tourists every year, many of whom spend a few days in Galway and then travel to other parts of the country. For Tote Ireland and on-course bookmakers the seven-day Galway Festival remains one of the busiest times of year and with excellent weather forecast this year, over 150,000 racegoers are expected to descend on the West of Ireland track. Last year, despite the bad weather, on-course bookmakers turned over close to €8million while Tote turnover was in excess of €4million”.

The leading jockey award will be sponsored by Rooney’s Galway with an individual prize being handed out to the leading flat and national hunt riders throughout the week, and the best turned out prize will be sponsored by Paddy Power bookmakers.

Dermot Weld captured the Chanelle Veterinary Leading Trainer award for the 27th time in 2013, having sent out no less than 11 winners throughout the week and Chanelle Veterinary will once again sponsor the competition.

RTE will be showing five races throughout the first four days of the Galway festival, while At The Races, Sky channel 415 will be showing every race throughout the week. Galway Bay FM will provide live coverage of every race throughout race week.

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