Galway Racecourse will host its final two days of racing for 2017 this Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
An action-packed weekend is lined up, including superb national hunt racing, a visit from the current All Ireland senior and minor hurling champions, the inaugural ‘Pub Pint Race’ in aid of Western Alzheimer’s, the National University of Ireland Galway Student Race Day, plus delicious food options, on-course bookmakers, the big screen, live music, and of course the meeting of old friends and new at Ballybrit.
The first race on Sunday October 29 is at 1.05pm with seven jump races on the card, including the feature race The Faber Audiovisuals Handicap Hurdle of €26,500. Race sponsors on the day include Renvyle House Hotel, Tattersalls Ireland, Sanserv, Corrib Oil and Sword Security.
On Monday just before the first race starts, Galway Racecourse will stage a fundraising fun run the Pub Pint Race in aid of Western Alzheimers. A parade of the participating pubs will take place in the parade ring at 12.15pm with the race occurring at 12.30pm in front of the mains stands. Each participating pub has raised funds to take part in this race with a representative from each pub to race (run ) a short distance against the other pubs with a pint on a tray. The person who finishes the fastest with the most liquid left in their glass wins. The winning pub will receive a commissioned sculpture kindly designed and donated by local artist Liam Butler, which will be displayed in their premises for the year.
Bank Holiday Monday sees the return of the hugely popular Student Race Day in conjunction with the National University of Ireland Galway Volunteer Services Abroad organisation and the university's rugby club. The special €20 student all-inclusive ticket can be purchased from the NUIG Socs Box. For students the ticket includes a return bus from NUIG to the racecourse, admission to the races, and entry to the after party in town later that night.
On Monday race goers will enjoy seven national hunt races, live music, fashion competitions, plus lots more. First race is off at 1.10pm and the card includes the feature race, the Kone Handicap Steeplechase of €26,000. Other sponsors on the day include WB Gavin & Co, the Irish European Breeders Fund, Corrib Food Products, Barna Recycling, John Mulholland Bookmakers, and Reaneys of Galway Bus company.
“We’ve had a great year and we’re looking forward to some cracking racing this weekend as we finish up the season for 2017," said Michael Moloney, general manager of Galway Racecourse. "We’ve also invited the All Ireland Galway hurlers, the senior and minor teams, to enjoy a day’s racing as we couldn’t finish our own season without honouring their remarkable achievement.
"Lots to look forward to as well for next year as we are in the middle of our exciting new €6 million re-development project that will be revealed to our racegoers just in time for the Galway Races Summer Festival 2018. In the meantime, once we finish racing this weekend the racecourse will be getting ready for Elf Town which opens from November 25. We’ve a very important man due to arrive from the North Pole into Ballybrit this Christmas.”
This weekend, turnstiles open one and a half hours before the first race, with ample free car parking available. Admission for adults on both days is €15 and children under 16 years of age free of charge. For more information and to book tickets visit www.galwayraces.com
