Jim Bolger - Galway Races

Jim Bolger

(Photo: Peter Mooney)

"Galway - The Right-handed Epsom of Ireland"

In 'Galway for the Races', Jim Bolger told Barry Henriques:

"The one aspect of going to Galway that I find infuriating is the infernal road traffic. It is probably one of the reasons why we stay in Galway for the duration. I pity the numbers of patrons who are forced, by reason of work or commitment elsewhere, to make the journey on a daily basis.

I have often referred to it (Galway) as the right-handed Epsom of Ireland. People often say that the hill is the deciding factor, but I can assure you that if your horse is travelling well down the hill, you have a great chance of being in the frame. Position is everything as you race into the dip. Of course, it's a tough climb up the hill as you turn in but, if you haven't travelled well to the hill and you have a poor position, you have no chance of getting home in front.

People come from all over to Galway. That is another reason for being there. You meet people at the Galway Races that you may never meet until the following year. It is a date marked into the diaries of many of our emigrants from all over the world. I've met people from New York and San Francisco. I've met them from all over the UK and Europe. I've met them from Asia and Australia. I love talking to them. It (Galway Races) also has a great magnetism for sports people: hurlers, footballers, and rugby people."

Jim Bolger's first winner at Galway was Pigeon's Nest. Ridden by Peter Scudamore, it landed the John Player's Amateur Handicap in 1979.