Despite the weather, punters still came in great numbers to Ballybrit as 14,058, 2012 (17,510, 2011) came through the gates for the second evening’s racing, The Tote recorded a Turnover of €595,706, 2012 (€668,777, 2011) and the Bookmakers Turnover was €970,298, 2012, ( €1,451,297, 2011).
Spotted in the winners enclosure was Channel 4’s Shameless actor Paddy Courtney. A keen Galway racing enthusiast, Courtney was thrilled to be back in Ballybrit and told waiting media of his excitement for his latest TV project with Channel 4, Spanners!
Also in the winners enclosure was Topaz representative and Laois county footballer, M J Tierney who was heading back for training ahead of their weekend’s clash with Dublin in the All Ireland Quarter Final. Topaz was the principal sponsor of racing, for the second day at Ballybrit, their three races were headlined by the €115,000 Topaz Mile EBF Handicap. Well-known western business Caulfield Industrial sponsor three of Tuesday’s races and the Latin Quarter Steeplechase is backed by Galway city’s prime entertainment sector where many racegoers headed after the evening’s racing.
Renowned stylist Marietta Doran, was once again keeping an eye on the ladies fashion at Ballybrit, where despite the grey skies, bright and vibrant colours were in abundance, comfort was obvious yet the glamour stakes remained high which is always evident in Galway.
An electric atmosphere reverberated throughout the fabulous hospitality facilities of both the Millenium and Killanin Stands with plenty of Galway Race week banter and craic as racegoers sheltered from the weather. There was no shortage of winning celebrations.
Vastonea came home powerfully under Declan McDonogh to capture the featured Topaz Mile on the second day of the Galway Festival.
Pintura made a brave attempt to make all, but he was reeled in by the winner inside the last half furlong to credit veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast with a welcome big race winner.
The pair completed a double when Maude Adams won the Caulfieldindustrial.com Maiden.
Voleuse De Coeurs credited Dermot Weld with his fourth success of the meeting, when the well supported filly ran out a clear cut winner of the Topaz Handicap under Pat Smullen.
Peter Fahey has a nice prospect on his hands in the shape of Pride Of The Arctic who gave an exhibition of jumping under Andrew Leigh to run out an impressive winner of the Latin Quarter Chase.
Face Value maintained Ado McGuinness’s fine run of the form when the
14/1 shot overcame a mistake at the last to win the opening Topaz Novice Hurdle under the promising David Splaine.
Chris Hayes was seen at his best when he drove Golden Shoe to a game victory in the Caulfield Industrial Handicap at the expense of the front running Crystal Morning.
That success resulted in 35 winners of the Jackpot which reached over €94,000.00. They each received €2,018.00.
At Ballybrit tomorrow, Wednesday 1st August the entire card of racing is sponsored by Tote with the feature race, the tote.com Galway Plate boasting a prize fund of €200,000. Tote has also sponsored the newly designed Galway Plate, which will be presented to the winning owner of the Galway Plate by all-star Galway hurler Joe Canning, along with the designer of the plate Matthew Lynch. The presentation will take place in the parade ring directly after the feature race.
Racing continues daily at Ballybrit until Sunday, 5th August. For further details call 091-753870, email information@galwayraces.com or visit www.galwayraces.com. Join us on facebook, facebook.com/galwayraces for all the latest information on this year’s Summer Festival Meeting!
