O’Flaherty is eager to maintain festival’s popularity
THERE’s a new sheriff in town; a new man at the helm of the Galway Race Committee.
And Dr Colm O’Flaherty will be striving to build on the successful five-year tenure of city businessman, Anthony Ryan.
Continuing a 60-year plus family connection with the Galway Races, O’Flaherty is gearing up for his first festival as Committee Chairman next week.
He is following in the footsteps of his grandfather Michael O’Flaherty, and uncle Paddy, who both served as Chairman of the Race Committee. Colm’s father, Micheál, was the Racecourse Doctor up until 1992.
With that strong family connection to Galway Racecourse, it was almost a rite of passage that Colm would also become heavily invested in the races, initially taking over from his late dad as track doctor.
Now a long-time member of the Race Committee, Colm traces his passion for horse racing back to his childhood days when a friend, Stan London from Kilcolgan, would bring him to gymkhanas and point-to points.
“I have been coming to Ballybrit since I was a child, and everything has changed bar the old tea rooms at the back of the stand. Over the years, the Race Committee has always been forward looking, and I hope to maintain that progression.
“We will be aiming to expand when we can and try and keep ahead of the posse. Irish racing is going through a tough time at present and some tracks are struggling. We won’t be sitting on our laurels and remain determined to offer value to racegoers.”
Colm hopes to draw up a ten-year plan which will at least maintain the summer festival’s appeal. “Over the years, the committee has been progressive, everyone pulling together and seeing the bigger picture.”
He mentions individuals like the late Ray Rooney, who also served as Senior Steward of the Turf Club, and John Coyle in terms of their vision.
“It’s a great honour to be elected Chairman of the Race Committee and I look forward to working with all the stakeholders in driving an exciting new chapter for Ballybrit.”
Pictured: Anthony Ryan handing over the Galway Race Committee Chairman's badge to Dr. Colm O’Flaherty ahead of next week's Galway Summer Racing Festival.