Galway’s feature races Plate and Hurdle still carry big prizemoney

THE upcoming Galway Summer Racing Festival behind closed doors has largely escaped the slashing of prizemoney which has impacted on all meetings since the return of the sport earlier this month.

Up to €1.6m in prizemoney will still be up for grabs at the Ballybrit festival, with the meeting’s two flagship races – the Galway Plate and Guinness Hurdle – both now valued at €200,000.

That figure may be a third less than last year, but the trend for feature races – such as the recent Irish Derby – has been for prizemoney to be reduced by around half compared to 2019.

Michael Moloney, General Manager of Galway Racecourse, has welcomed the prospect of the Plate and Hurdle retaining most of their value. “They are two significant races offering significant prizemoney, and the support of Horse Racing Ireland has made this possible.”

Moloney went on to outline the prizemoney on offer for the festival’s other feature races, with the Connacht Hotel Handicap (Monday) and the Colm Quinn Mile (Tuesday) both now valued at €75,000.

The Guinness Handicap (Saturday) is also worth €75,000, while the Irish Stallion Farms ‘Ahonoora’ Handicap on the closing day of the festival will carry a value of €90,000.

Friday’s all National Hunt card promises a treat for jumping fans as apart from the featured Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle (€80,000), there will also be two €50,000 pots up for grabs in the Galway Blazers Chase and the Galway Tribes Hurdle.

Moloney confirmed that there will be no mixed cards as is the tradition at the festival, with the Monday and Tuesday meetings on the level, as are the Saturday and Sunday fixtures. National Hunt will hold centre stage mid-week, with eight-race cards on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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