160,000 to flock to Ballybrit during Race Week

The iconic seven-day Galway Races Summer Festival gets underway tomorrow evening, with more than 160,000 punters set to flock to Ballybrit. Approximately 800 horses will compete in 52 races across the seven days for a prize-fund of €1.9m. The festival, which has been staged at Ballybrit since 1869, is worth an estimated €54 million to the local economy and employs over 1,500 staff. Galway’s many hotels, bars, restaurants, boutiques, hair and beauty salons, taxi and bus companies benefit from the increased business the festival brings to Galway. The flagship races are TheTote.com Galway Plate on Wednesday and the Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap on Thursday. The competition off the track comes to a climax on Thursday for the g Hotel & Spa best dressed lady competition with prize valued at €10,000 for the best dressed lady and €2,000 prize for the best hat. Michael Moloney, Galway Racecourse General Manager said: “It’s all systems go for the 2016 Galway Races Summer Festival. We have lots of great racing, fashion events and entertainment planned over the seven days and look forward to welcoming more than 160,000 Irish and overseas visitors to Ballybrit this week and building on our impressive 2015 numbers.”