Search Results for 'Noel Meade'

The proposed Galway Ring Road has "passed a number of important tests", meeting Government business case and cost-benefit analysis requirements, but a leading Galway TD has warned that many significant hurdles remain to be cleared before construction can begin.

Road To Riches earned trainer Noel Meade a first ever win in thetote.com Galway Plate as the seven-year-old ran out a bloodless winner of the feature race on the third day of the Galway Festival at Ballybrit under talented 7lb-claimer Shane Shortall. There were several casualties in the valuable handicap chase as Shortall opted to keep his mount in a prominent position throughout the two-and-three-quarter-mile contest. Lord Ben kept 14-1 shot Road To Riches company for most of the race, but lost his pitch at the business end as the Meade inmate, owned by Gigginstown House Stud, cruised away from the field in the closing stages. It was a chance ride for Shortall, who picked up the mount after Ger Fox broke his collarbone in a fall at Wexford on Friday. Pictured above Shane Shortall celebrates after crossing the line; while below President Michael D Higgins presents Shane with the TheTote.com Galway Plate.

It may seem that four seasons as we know them have decided to rotate on a daily rather than three monthly basis, but the Galway Racing Festival, no matter what the overhead conditions are, is always guaranteed to deliver a week long episode of that west of Ireland feel good factor that is synonymous with the City Of The Tribes.

The greatest party anywhere in the eurozone is almost upon us and whether one deals in euros, sterling, dollars, or the Japanese yen all roads will lead to Ballybrit on Monday next as the seven-day marathon that is the Galway Race Week Festival gets under way shortly after five o clock. With more than fifty races on the menu punters will need to tread carefully through a minefield of tough maximum field handicaps and conditions contests under both Flat and National Hunt rules and with margins tight in all walks of life selective punting is advised.

The Saying that every cloud has a silver lining must surely ring loud in the ears of the Ducado Syndicate in these tough times as the six-member syndicate stand on the brink of collecting their share of a huge £1million Triple Crown Bonus sponsored by WBX.COM which goes to the winner of the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, The Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle on Tuesday next March 16.

The horse is chomping at the bit, the jockey’s jodhpurs have been ironed, and the lucky charms are packed, yes, excitement is really brewing up now as a Galway syndicate and their horse, Go Native, make final preparations for next week’s Cheltenhem Festival where they could be in with a chance to win a £1 million bonus.

Leading National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins enjoyed a Christmas to remember as he trained an unrivalled 17 winners over the Christmas period. The Bagenalstown based trainer is enjoying his golden spell in the training ranks.

Well readers, the 2008 Galway Races are virtually upon us and with the prophets of doom and gloom working overtime for the last two months this year’s festival has taken on the role as a barometer of the country’s financial state as well as being the top racing festival in the fair island of ours.