A memorable evening is most certainly assured when the first Donkey Derby to be held in Galway city for more than 30 years takes place on Thursday next July 29 at the Galway Greyhound Stadium.
The event is sure to capture the imagination of the Galwegian public with six delightful thoroughbred donkeys battling it out for first place. National Hunt jockeys Paul Carberry, Barry Geraghty, Davy Condon, Robbie Power and Rodger Loughran with local North Galway Huntsman Mark Cassidy, will saddle up on the night.
There is also the added nostalgia that a number of donkeys taking part will represent donkeys who ran at the Claddagh races as far back as 1969, when the Rahoon Slasher owned by the Griffin family took the prestigious title that year. Other famous runners remembered include the Craughwell Bomber and the Killoughter King owned by the Geoghagan and Glynn families.
Tickets to this exciting event are €10 and include access to the Greyhound Track, a race card, and entry into a €1,000 sweepstake drawn on the night. Each donkey requires a sponsor and a few runners are still available for sponsorship in what promises to be an entertaining night’s racing.
Individuals or groups who are interested in sponsoring a donkey or purchasing a ticket are asked to contact Linda Geraghty on (087 ) 9729461 for further details. A photo finish is not guaranteed, however a good laugh with old fashioned thrills and spills is promised and for a few a trip down memory lane.
