Races Hailed A Success Despite Recession

Date Published: 05-Aug-2008

DESPITE grim predictions that the looming recession would take its toll on this year’s Racing Festival, final tallies show that the crowds and the takings were not hugely down on last year.

The bookies recorded a turnover of about €25million for the week – down €3million on takings for 2007, while the tote recorded a decrease of €1.5 million on their turnover for last year.

Crowd figures were also about the same as last year, with a total of 199,500 people making their way to the racecourse over the course of the seven-day festival.

Secretary Manager of the Galway Racecourse, John Maloney yesterday paid tribute to everyone who had helped with the organisation of this year’s event, saying they were delighted with the success of the 2008 festival.

“We are very pleased with how it went and delighted that the doom and gloom that some people were predicting didn’t come about – the crowds were about the same as last year and it was an excellent week for all involved,” he said.

More than 15,000 spectators also turned out…