The Galway Racing Festival is one of Ireland’s most prestigious horseracing meetings of the year, with both flat and jump racing stars making their way to the west of Ireland each year. One of the most popular events for fans and punters alike, the entertainment and top-class action on show attracts huge crowds each and every year.
Equine And Evening Entertainment
As well as the fun and festivities off the track throughout the week, the Galway Festival also has some of the top races of the season taking place at the Ballybrit racecourse. As well as huge numbers of fans being drawn to the betting ring, Galway is also very popular for those that like to bet on racing online.
With races such as the Galway Plate, the Galway Hurdle, and the Galway Mile Handicap, as well as some top flat racing contests, the Galway 2023 betting action is sure to be as fierce and competitive as ever, as fans and punters take on the bookmakers in an attempt to make their racing experience all the more enjoyable.
Ladies’ Days have become just as competitive as some of the races themselves worldwide, and the Galway Racing Festival is no different. The ladies arrive at Ballybrit on Galway Hurdle Day dressed to impress, trying to outdo each other in their stunning attire and obligatory fascinators and hats.
Elsewhere throughout the week after racing, entertainment for 2023 will include an 80’s night, Country Music Extravaganza, and Friday’s Most Stylish.
Big Races And Former Winners
The Galway Racing Festival is dominated by three prestigious races. As mentioned above, the Galway Plate, and Galway Hurdle, are the biggest races of the week, and attract some of the best equine talent in the industry. Below we take a look at each race and see which horses have been victorious in the past.
The Galway Plate
The Galway Plate is the feature Chase race of the week, where 14 big fences are jumped over a distance of 2 miles and 6 furlongs. The race has been in existence since 1869, making it one of the oldest races run in Ireland.
Won by horses such as Carlingford Lough, Clarcam, and Road To Riches in the past, last year’s renewal was won by one of the most popular horses in jump racing, Hewick. The American Grand National winner ran a brilliant race in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and he is likely to be back to defend his Plate title in 2023.
Galway Hurdle
The equivalent of the Plate, but run over hurdles, the Galway Hurdle is another race that captures the imagination of racing fans each year. Run over a distance of 2 miles, the race sees some of the fastest jump racing horses go to battle over nine obstacles, with the race also having an emphasis on stamina, as the famous Galway hill faces the runners on the way to the finish line.
Won by famous horses such as Sharjah and Overturn in the past, it was Tudor City that proved to be best last year. He is another horse likely to return to the Galway Festival in 2023 to defend his crown.
