Filey Bay and Alan O'Sullivan star at Galway on opening evening
The feature event on the first evening of the week-long festival at Ballybrit is restricted to amateur riders and it was Alan O'Sullivan - brother of the late Michael O'Sullivan, who tragically died in February following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles - who shone in the saddle.
O'Sullivan had to weave a path to get a run on the JP McManus-owned gelding and when he did he fairly shot clear aboard Emmet Mullins' 7-1 chance, with the winning jockey looking to the skies as he passed the line four and three-quarter lengths ahead of Mon Coeur.
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The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Galway Races food & drink prices revealed as high cost of Guinness pints leaves punters feeling floored
THE food and drinks prices for the 2025 Galway Races Festival have been revealed - with them once again forcing punters to dig deep into their pockets. Monday saw the first of SEVEN days of top-class racing Advertisement 5 A victory by Alan O'Sullivan, brother of tragic jockey Michael, was the big storyline on Monday Credit: Sportsfile 5 A 500ml bottle of water is priced at €3.50 5 While the cheapest burger is available at €11 5 A pint of the black stuff is €6.90 The Irish Sun's reporter on the ground Danielle Russell Masterson supplied the above images which lay out just how much a day out at the Connacht showpiece will set you back. The highlights (or lowlights) include a pint of Guinness costing €6.90 while a half pint is €4. A pint of Rockshore lager or cider is €7.50 apiece while the same price applies for pints of Carlsberg. Alcohol-free alternatives aren't much better as a 500ml bottle of Guinness 0.0 is €5.50 with the same amount charged for a 330ml bottle of Carlsberg 0.0. Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport As regards spirits, €7.50 is also the going rate for a 50ml of either Smirnoff vodka, Roe & Co Irish whiskey, Baileys, Bacardi and Brandy. Naturally, champagne is in a category all to itself in terms of pricing as a bottle of Rose is an eye-watering €140. Meanwhile the non-vintage version is slightly cheaper at €125. With nearly €2.2million prize money on offer over the 53 races this week, 800 horses will hit the track in a bid to make racing history. The annual racing bonanza saw thousands of Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing The groundstaff had the course looking pristine for the week ahead while the crowds prayed the And it was JP McManus and Ruby Walsh pay heartfelt tributes to Edward O'Grady at Galway Races Jessie Harrington's Jerrari went clear on the run-in to beat Ross O'Sullivan's Prove Yourself in the second race of the day, while But it was in the Connacht Hotel Handicap that the day's most popular winner came as Alan O'Sullivan led Filey Bay home first past the post. Advertisement Alan is the younger brother of tragic jockey Michael who died in February from injuries he sustained in a fall at Thurles. MASSIVE BUZZ With over 171,000 Festival CEO Michael Moloney told The Irish Sun: 'There's lots of pints of 'Last year, we welcomed over 120,000 Advertisement Opening day one of the Frank Naughton of The Galway Tenors said: 'To sing up here is always the big buzz of the year, I grew up just over the road from here so it's in my blood. 'I've been singing up here either solo or with the Tenors for over 25 years and believe me when I say, I just love it. 'And to be joined this year by my fellow tenor Padraig Connaughton makes it even more fun.' Advertisement There was, however, a sombre start to proceedings as The 75-year-old 5 Jerrari, with Donagh Meyler up, took the Iggy Daly Easyfix Handicap Hurdle during day one Credit: Sportsfile
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘It's what Mikey would've done', says winning rider in emotional Galway Races tribute to jockey brother who died in fall
BILLIONAIRE racing legend JP McManus was delighted to see his horse Filey Bay win the big race on the opening day of the Galway Festival at Ballybrit. And it was a poignant win for young jockey Advertisement 6 Alan O'Sullivan celebrates with JP McManus and trainer Emmet Mullins after winning the Connacht Hotel Handicap with Filey Bay at Galway Racecourse Credit: PA 6 Alan O'Sullivan celebrates aboard Filey Bay Credit: PA 6 Jockey Michael O'Sullivan died in February from injuries he sustained in a fall in Thurles Credit: PA O'Sullivan's brother Michael tragically died in February following injuries he suffered in a fall at And he told 'I have so much confidence now, knowing that he's looking down on me. To do this for him, I think he would be proud.' He added: 'It's unbelievable, my goal at the start of the year was to be good enough that someone might want me for this. Advertisement READ MORE IN HORSE RACING 'When I wanted the gaps, they came for me, I got a dream run. I probably went the brave man's route, but I thought it's what Mikey would have done. I had loads of horse, if I got any gap at all I had the horse to take it. 'He galloped all the way to the line.' With nearly €2.2million prize money on offer over the 53 races this week at the The annual racing bonanza saw thousands of Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing The groundstaff had the course looking pristine for the week ahead while the crowds prayed the And it was GROWING NUMBERS Jessie Harrington's Jerrari went clear on the run-in to beat Ross O'Sullivan's Prove Yourself in the second race of the day, while Aidan O'Brien's Constitution River justified his short price in the third race. With over 171,000 Advertisement Festival CEO Michael Moloney told The Irish Sun: 'There's lots of pints of 'Last year, we welcomed over 120,000 Opening day one of the Frank Naughton of The Galway Tenors said: 'To sing up here is always the big buzz of the year, I grew up just over the road from here so it's in my blood. Advertisement 'I've been singing up here either solo or with the Tenors for over 25 years and believe me when I say, I just love it. 'And to be joined this year by my fellow tenor Padraig Connaughton makes it even more fun.' Meanwhile bookie Anthony Kaminskas from AK FAB FASHION He said: 'My advice would be come racing, you get the big prices. Shop around with all the bookmakers.' Advertisement Away from the betting ring, racegoers were dressed to the nines and taking in all the festivities. Pam Richardson from Galway and Suzanne McGarry from While Galway ladies Joanne Kennedy and Michelle Murphy turned heads in their colourful Joanne said: 'I'm a local, I'm a major fan. I always come for the races. I love Monday, it's a real local day. The atmosphere's fantastic. The style is amazing. Advertisement 'I will be putting some bets on. Hopefully they're winners. 'I have a few tips but if I like the name, I'll go with it.' And Michelle added: 'I call it the pilgrimage really. It has to be done every year. You feel you're missing out on something if you don't go to it. I've been 26 coming years, ever since I got married. 'There's great style already. A great mix of colours. Even the gents are making a big effort.' Advertisement TRAVELLING PUNTERS Among the crowds were punters who Racing veteran Dermot McGann from Loughrea said: 'I'm here every year. I've been coming 30 to 40 years now. It's brilliant, it's a great week really. 'When it comes to the horses, I guess really. I buy the paper and have a look. I'm here three days.' Bunzai Cowen, originally from Advertisement She said: 'It's my second time here. We come for the races. I'm here with my family. I'm ready to place my first bet. It's always a grand time. It's craic.' Former Meanwhile, racegoers held a poignant minute's silence today at the opening of the festival after the passing of legendary jumps trainer Edward O'Grady, who was hailed as 'a colossus of the festival'. The 75-year-old passed away this week — just days after sending out his final ever runner at Advertisement DANI'S DIARY DAY one of the Galway Festival kicked-off in style as racegoers flocked to the city for a thrilling week of racing and revelry. Guido Fanzini and Paul from Wobbly Circus had the crowds in stitches in Eyre Square as they made their way to the racecourse at Ballybrit. Punters had already started gathering an hour before the gates were set to open. Ballybrit quickly filled up with racing novices and well-seasoned pros — all looking for a bit of the action. What a place to be on a Monday! I was very impressed with the style and colour among the big crowd. Meeting so many ladies rocking Irish designers was even more impressive. There were so many intriguing outfits that I couldn't take my eyes off. The crowd were delighted to see Willie Mullins off to another flying start but it was a mixed day for punters with only some of the favourites delivering. As for me, I'm only warming up. The He also saddled 18 winners at the O'Grady trained three Galway Plate winners in the space of just four years including Shining Flame in 1978, Hindhope in 1979 and Rugged Lucy in 1981. The festival organisers released a statement today paying tribute to the man who was a regular feature in the winner's enclosure at Galway. They said: 'Edward was a colossus here at Galway races. Advertisement 'Edward will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends within the racing community.' And JP said: 'When Edward fancied a horse, you didn't need to have money. All you needed to have was credit because they nearly always delivered. 'He was an amazing trainer." Advertisement 6 Racegoer Michael Heeney, 6, from Tuam, Galway looks on during the Connacht Hotel Handicap during day one of the Galway Races Summer Festival at Ballybrit Racecourse Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 6 Suzanne Mcgarry from Sligo at Galway Racecourse Credit: PA 6 Pam Richardson from Galway Credit: PA
Irish Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Emotional scenes in Galway as brother of tragic jockey Michael O'Sullivan wins
Filey Bay justified market support in recording an emotional victory in the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap at Galway. The feature event on the first evening of the week-long festival at Ballybrit is restricted to amateur riders and it was Alan O'Sullivan – brother of the late Michael O'Sullivan, who tragically died in February following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles – who shone in the saddle. O'Sullivan had to weave a path to get a run on the JP McManus-owned gelding and when he did he fairly shot clear aboard Emmet Mullins' 7-1 chance, with the winning jockey looking to the skies as he passed the line four and three-quarter lengths ahead of Mon Coeur. 'It's unbelievable, my goal at the start of the year was to be good enough that someone might want me for this. He was looking down on me, I think,' said O'Sullivan. 'When I wanted the gaps, they came for me, I got a dream run. I probably went the brave man's route, but I thought it's what Mikey would have done. I had loads of horse, if I got any gap at all I had the horse to take it. 'I got a dream run and he galloped all the way to the line.' Mullins said: 'It was meant to be and I'm a bit lost for words. It's just magic. 'It was Michael's saddle that Alan was using today. Michael rode a few times for me here and I think we hit the crossbar twice, so Alan steadied the ship. 'It's been a long enough road with the horse. We had him last season and I sent him home twice as I just wasn't happy. Thankfully with JP the patience has paid off. 'Alan was keen to ride him, and I was keen to claim off him as well. For 7lb claimers you don't need to look any further than Alan.'
