Galway’s feast of racing gets off to a flyer!

Racing’s favourite festival has got off to a flyer with bumper crowds flocking to Ballybrit in the early half of the week, and punters loosening the purse strings after years of austerity.

It may not quite represent a return to the boom times of the Noughties, but increased attendances and betting turnover figures for the opening days of the Galway Races Summer Festival suggests 2017 will be bigger and better than last year.

Close on 40,000 people clicked through the turnstiles on Monday and Tuesday, while as many as 35,000 are expected to descend on the racecourse today, Thursday, Ladies Day, which is traditionally always the busiest of the meet.

Friday has now surpassed Wednesday, Plate Day, as the second most popular and a huge influx of up to 27,000 is expected.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune, Michael Moloney, racecourse manager, said improvements in the economy generally has boosted the festival’s early figures.

“People seem to have a bit more money, and there is some confidence coming back now and they are willing to spend again,” he said.

Mr Moloney said the weather has played its part in the increase in crowds, while improvements to the facilities and services offered at the track has lured the punters back in huge numbers again this year.

He also credited his team’s slick marketing campaign in generating interest in the seven-day festival, the jewel in the crown of the Galway hospitality industry, which is worth up to €60 million to the local economy.

Crowds of 139,000 attended over the seven days last year, and the indications midweek was that number will be surpassed.

See full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.