Galway Festivals 2010

Galway is celebrated for its rich variety of festivals. The following are
among the most widely known internationally:

Cuirt International Festival of Literature / 20 April - 25 April, 2010
Galway Film Fleadh / 6 July - 11 July, 2010
Galway Arts Festival / 11 July - 24 July, 2010
Galway Races, Ballybrit / 26 July - 1 August, 2010
Galway International Oyster Festival / 23 Sept - 26 Sept, 2010

Please confirm dates of Galway Festivals 2010 by visiting their
respective websites.

Tote Ireland Galway Plate

"The Tote Ireland Galway Plate. What do you think of the new name?"

"The Tote Ireland Galway Plate has a novel ring to it, with connotations of betting tickets and field glasses as opposed to beer mats and drinking glasses."

2010 Galway Plate

The 2010 Galway Plate, newly sponsored by Tote Ireland, is the feature chase of Galway Race Week. It takes place this year on Wednesday 28th of July when Ireland's top racehorses compete for €200,000 prize fund.

Mr. Alexis Murphy, Chief Executive of Tote Ireland said: "On behalf of Tote Ireland, I am delighted to announce our sponsorship of Galway Plate Day, with the highlight being the historic and prestigious Galway Plate.

Galway is the highlight of the racing season for the Tote with record pools typically set during the meeting. I would also like to thank all of our clients for their continued patronage of the Tote. All of Tote's profits are reinvested into Irish racing and its thanks to the loyal support of our clients that the Tote can make a significant contribution to the industry in these challenging times".

Galway Plate 2010 - Tote Sponsorship

Tote Ireland announce Galway Plate sponsorship

Galway Race Committee have announced that the 2010 Galway Plate will be sponsored by Tote Ireland. The Tote have signed a three year deal for the historic Plate, which will place on Wednesday of Galway Raceweek.

The http://www.tote.com/ Plate will be worth €200,000.

Tote Chairman Jim Nicholson described the Galway Plate sponsorship as "an irresistible opportunity for our board and a great vote of confidence in trying times".

"The Galway Races are responsible for a large slice of our turnover annually and the record Tote aggregate for a single day's racing of close on €2.1m was established there on the Thursday in 2007."

John Moloney, manager of Galway racecourse, is characteristically optimistic:"Although the Tote have moved from the Tuesday, we will be speaking to some of our loyal existing sponsors from the September and October meetings to see if they would like to come on board during the summer and we also have had initial approaches from potential new companies."

General admission prices to Galway are being held at 2007 levels again this year. In addition, there will be a new seven-day ticket available for €140.

Horse Racing Ireland 2009 Statistics

Horse Racing Ireland 2009 Statistics

Attendances: Down 11%,
1,392,134 to 1,225,511.
Total Betting: Down 21.3%,
€231m to €181.8m.
Prizemoney: Down 12%,
€60.4m to €52.9m.
Bloodstock Sales: Down 32%,
€99.5m to €67.5m.
Runners: Down 3.9%,
34,591 to 33,240.
Horses in Training: Down 4%,
12,119 to 11,638.
New Owners: Down 28%,
1,237 to 894.
Sponsorship: Down 13.8%,
€8.7m to €7.5m.
Fixtures: Up 0.9%, from 342 to 345.
On-Course Bookmaker Betting: Down 27.1%,
€167.2m to €121.9m.
Tote Betting: Down 13.2%,
€55.1m to €47.8m.
On-Course Betting Shops: Down 18.2%,
€14.8m to €12.1m

Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh said yesterday: “It is essential for racing to be self-financing. This can be done with a meaningful levy on betting, including all offshore internet and telephone betting, which has wrongly escaped the tax net.

“In 2002 the Irish betting industry was turning over €1 billion and generating tax of €68 million. Seven years later the betting has increased to €5.5 billion and the tax take has declined to €30 million.

"I would still be positive about the future because the basic product is so good. But we have to secure funding.”

"On the positive side, 2009 was another year of remarkable achievement for Irish horses, trainers, jockeys and breeders under both codes.

"For the second successive year, Ireland produced the flat world champion racehorse in Sea the Stars. Three of the top four flat horses in the world in 2009 were trained in Ireland and the top three were all Irish bred.

"This level of consistent success showcases our racing and breeding industry at the highest international level.

"In no other sport can Ireland claim such a level of elite achievement. Horse racing and breeding is one of the few industries in which Ireland is rightly recognised as a world leader, due to its indigenous skills base and the tradition of enlightened Government policy."

Galway Races - Results

Thursday, 30 July 2009

Bahrain Storm Wins Guinness Hurdle

2.00 Perfect Pint Beginners Steeplechase 2m 6f
1. Whatever Next 14/1 - D N Russell
2. Corrick Bridge 9/4 Fav
3. Maucaillou 4/1
Winning trainer: John Joseph Murphy

2.35 Guinness Time Handicap 1m 100yds.
1. Fit The Cove 12/1 - D E Mullins(5)
2. Separate Ways C O'Donoghue
3. Propinquity 11/2
Winning trainer: H Rogers

3.10 St James's Gate Novice Steeplechase 2m 1f.
1. Montero 6/4 - R Loughran
2. Aoife Costa 9/1
3. Farinelli 4/1
Winning trainer: D T Hughes

3.45 Guinness 250th Anniversary EBF Fillies Handicap 7f.
1. Slieve Mish 7/1 - K J Manning
2. Beauthea 8/1
3. Flame Of Ireland 8/1
Winning trainer: J S Bolger

4.20 Signature Novice Hurdle 2m 6f.
1. Dual Gales 11/4 - R Walsh
2. Glenstal Abbey evens Fav
3. Carsonstown Boy 9/1
Winning trainer: W P Mullins

5.00 Arthur Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade A) 2m.
1. Bahrain Storm 20/1 - S J Gray(5)
2. Deutschland 15/8 Fav
3. Lucky Wish 25/1
4. Northern Alliance 7/1
Winning trainer: Patrick J Flynn

5.40 Arthur's Legacy Handicap 1m 4f. 1. Articilitis 14/1 - G F Carroll(5)
2. No One Tells Me 6/4 Fav
3. Sandymount Lady 15/2
4. Keep It Cool 25/1
Winning trainer: Desmond McDonogh

5.40 Guinness Storehouse (Pro/Am) Flat Race 2m 2f.
1. Bay Central 10/1 - Nina Carberry
2. Ballyvoile 11/2
3. Graceful Composer 33/1
Winning trainer: John Paul Brennan

Galway Races Results

Galway Races - Results

Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Ballyholland
leaves
track of the foot
in Galway Chase

2.00 William Hill in Ireland Hurdle 2m. 4-y-o plus.
1. Tawaag 4/5 Fav - R Walsh
2. No Stopping Sarah 7/1
3. Baily Rock 4/1
Winning trainer: W P Mullins

2.35 WilliamHill.com Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f. 4-y-o plus.
1. Steve Capall 12/1 - P Carberry
2. The Rebel Returns 14/1
3. Valley Of Giants 14/1
4. Armaramak 9/1
Winning trainer: Noel Meade

3.10 William Hill 1800 333 555 Handicap 1m 4f. 3-y-o plus.
1. Charleville 20/1 - D M Grant
2. Tin Town Boy 11/2
3. Not Til Monday 3/1 Fav
Winning trainer: Patrick Cody

3.45 Williamhill.com-casino(QR) Maiden 1m 4f. 3-y-o plus.
1. Blackstairsmountain 5/4 Fav - Mr P W Mullins
2. Miss Chaparral 2/1
3. Abroad 15/2
Winning trainer: W P Mullins

4.25 William Hill Galway Plate (Handicap Chase) 2m 6f. 4-y-o plus
1. Ballyholland 16/1 - Andrew J McNamara
2. Knock On The Head 9/1
3. Washington Lad 11/1
4. Anothercoppercoast 16/1
Winning trainer: C McBratney

5.05 William Hill Irish Sportsbook 2009 Handicap 1m 100yds 3-y-o only
1. Gimli's Rock 14/1 - K Latham
2. Izadonawin 6/1
3. Tatacoa 10/1 Moving Heart 9/4 Fav
Winning trainer: Mrs John Harrington

5.40 Williamhill.com-poker Handicap 1m 100yds 4-y-o plus
1. Steig 6/1 - G F Carroll
2. Peculiar Prince 25/1
3. Lady Songbird 12/1 4. Lizzie Bennett 20/1
Winning trainer: C Moore

5.40 Williamhill.com-vegas Maiden 1m 100yds 3-y-o to 4-y-o.
1. Precious Gem 5/4 Fav - P J Smullen
2. Are You The One 25/1
3. Karma Lina 9/1
Winning trainer: D K Weld