Ladies Day attracts crowd of 34 thousand to Ballybrit

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A bumper crowd of 34 thousand people wagered just under 3 million euro at Ballybrit yesterday.(Wed) The Ladies Day crowd was up 6,400 on last year while the betting of 2.8 million was up 730 thousand euro While the weather wasn't exactly tropical in Ballybrit yesterday, it was still a vast improvement on the thunderstorms of last year, so hopes were high of an increased attendance and they materialised. Just over 34 thousand people went through the turnstiles on Ladies Day. They spent just under a million euro on the tote, up 126 thousand on last year while the bookies took in 1.88 million, up half a million on last year. The first race of the day was a strong Galway victory with Kilcolgan trainer Stephen McMahon sending out Aranhill Chief to win at 12 to 1 for owner Galway man Paddy Kelly. In the fashion stakes it was the millliners who flew the Galway flag. Edel Ramberg from College Road in the city designed the Best Hat for winner Paula Clancy from Inverin who works in Cisco Oranmore. The ‘Wear Irish' competition winner, Emer Nash from Limerick sported a hat by Suzie Mahony from Loughrea. Clare-native, Helen Murphy, who lives and teaches in Cork was announced overall winner in the Anthony Ryan's sponsored competition as the Best Dressed Lady Today's racing begin at 5.05.