All you need to know ahead of Galway Races 2024
The annual highlight is set to provide the trademark thrills and spills
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Ash Tree Meadow returns to the parade ring following Galway Plate success in 2023
Always a highlight of the racing and social calendar, Galway Races returns next week with a typically packed card of action.
The week-long festival has provided a launchpad for many an illustrious career and this year’s annual highlights, the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle, look as competitive as ever.
Here’s all you need to know…
When is racing taking place?
Galway Races 2024 runs from July 29-August 4, with races running between the following times.
- Monday July 29 – 4.50pm-8.15pm
- Tuesday July 30 – 4.50pm-8.15pm
- Wednesday July 31 – 4.50pm-8.15pm
- Thursday August 1 – 2.10pm-6.10pm
- Friday August 2 – 5pm-8.40pm
- Saturday August 3 – 1.55pm-5.55pm
- Sunday August 4 – 1.50pm-5.30pm
When are the big races?
The Tote Galway Plate, part of Wednesday’s card (7.10pm), is worth €159,300 to the winner and always proves a highlight of the week.
Hewick won it for ‘Shark’ Hanlon in 2022 and last year, Gordon Elliott claimed his record-equalling fourth success in the race courtesy of Ash Tree Meadow in a landmark success for local jockey Danny Gilligan, who went on to become Champion Conditional Jockey for 2023/24.
The future is bright 🌟
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) August 3, 2023
Local jockey @DannyGilligan8 and his dad Paul reflect on yesterday's Galway Plate win 👏@Galway_Races #greenteam | @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/190Dk8tM7M
Harry Fry’s In Excelsis Deo and Gavin Cromwell’s Perceval Legallois currently head the betting for this year’s renewal.
Willie Mullins has won four of the last six Guinness Galway Hurdles and looks set to play another strong hand in this year’s race, which is the Thursday feature at 5.05pm.
Daddy Long Legs, a winner at the Punchestown Festival, is the current market leader while Nicky Henderson’s Under Control and Henry de Bromhead’s Gorgeous Tom are among the other frontrunners at this stage.
The opening day highlight is the Connacht Hotel Handicap, with the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap taking centre stage on Tuesday.
Friday’s feature is the Guinness Handicap, won last year by veteran jockey Niall McCullagh at the age of 54, while the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle (Saturday) and Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap (Sunday) headline the weekend action.
🗣️"I got as good a kick out of that winner as any winner I've ever ridden"
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) August 4, 2023
Veteran Niall McCullagh on guiding Brazil to victory for @paudieroche1986 in the Guinness Handicap 👏#greenteam @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/uui2JFxS0y
What else is on?
There is something for everyone at Ballybrit and the week will bring a wealth of off-track entertainment to supplement the racing.
Live music will take place every day, with an 80s theme on Tuesday and country theme the following day.
Thursday is ‘Ladies Day’, combining the best of racing and fashion, while a most stylish prize is up for grabs on Friday.
Sunday is a family-focused day with a Mad Hatters competition which brings with it a fantastic array of prizes.
How can I follow Galway Races?
Coverage from Galway will be live across Horse Racing Ireland’s social media channels.
Follow us below to feel part of the action throughout the week and gain exclusive access to Fran’s Five to Follow, pre-festival yard visits and plenty more. Follow Horse Racing Ireland on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Where can I buy tickets?
All ticketing information, including daily admission, group packages and hospitality options, can be viewed here.