Galway Races 2025: Share your best photos from race week
Today at 09:43
One of Galway's most iconic weeks has arrived, the Galway Races, hot on the heels of the Galway International Arts Festival.
With seven days of craic, racing, and fashion now underway, we're calling on racegoers to submit their best photos to the Irish Independent. Whether it's the glamour of Ladies Day, the thrill of Galway Plate Day, the creativity of Sunday's Mad Hatters competition, or simply the electric atmosphere around Ballybrit, we want to see it all.
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The Irish Sun
7 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I hope it cheers him up' – Gordon Elliott dedicates 11/1 Galway Races win to sick dad in emotional interview
GORDON ELLIOTT dedicated Western Fold's victory in the Tote Galway Plate at the Galway Races to his sick dad. The 1 Jockey Danny Gilligan, centre, with trainer Gordon Elliott, left, and Western Fold after winning the Tote Galway Plate Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile The 11/1 shot won by four and a half lengths from Amirite in second and Shecouldbeanything back in third. Speaking afterwards, the 47-year-old dedicated the triumph to his dad Pat who he hoped was watching from hospital. He said: "He's a right horse. Bobby O'Ryan bought him for David (L'Estrange) and John (Wright, owners) and the boys have been very patient with him, he was a bit backward when he was young. 'This race has been the plan for a while so I'm delighted the lads are here. Read More on Gordon Elliott "It's a dream for the lads to be here and win the race. Bobby put the syndicate together so all credit has to go to him. 'Everything worked out great. "Danny got away at the start and the horse jumped like a buck, I think he just missed one into the dip. "Everything went right and it was poetry in motion. Most read in Sport 'I thought it (10lb rise in weight) might be enough to stop him to be honest. I was worried. 'I'd say the ground is the key to this horse, he likes a bit of nice ground. He's a very nice horse. Gordon Elliott wipes away tears during RacingTV interview at Cheltenham 'My Dad's in hospital so he'll enjoy watching this and hopefully it will cheer him up. 'He'll be out, hopefully, for the football in Summerhill on Saturday. He's watching it in hospital so hopefully it gives him a lift.' The Galway Plate was his second win of the 2025 Festival and represented a turnaround in fortune from a disappointing Cheltenham. The Meath trainer cut an emotional figure after what was a frustrating week at Prestbury Park. His sole winner came on the final day when The post-race interview was laced with emotion as he had to stop and gather his composure on several occasions while wiping away tears. And while he would normally ignore it, the 47-year-old admitted it got so bad he had to turn his phone off altogether. He said: "I don't usually listen to what people say, I drive on and do my own thing. "But when you're getting relentless abuse on WhatsApp or Twitter or private messages from people and everybody wants to nail you, it's not nice. "Normally it doesn't bother me and I don't pay any attention to the abuse, but it did bother me at Cheltenham. "It got to me. So much so that I turned off all my social media stuff on Thursday night because my head was completely melted. "I just couldn't take any more so I switched them all off."
The Irish Sun
7 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Poetry in motion', declares top trainer as local jockey shows brilliance at Ballybrit to win Galway Plate on outsider
THE west was certainly best today as Gordon Elliott's Western Fold took home the Galway Plate on a thrilling day of action. Jockey 9 Day three of the races was full of 'thrilling action' Credit: PA 9 Jockey Danny celebrated his fifth Galway Plate win Credit: Sportsfile 9 Jockey Danny Gilligan, trainer Gordon Elliott celebrated winning the Galway Plate with horse Western Fold Credit: Sportsfile And Elliott admitted the big win will cheer up his dad, who is currently in 'Everything worked out great,' he beamed. 'The horse jumped like a buck. I think he just missed one into the dip. Everything went right. It was poetry in motion.' Marking his fifth READ MORE IN HORSE RACING Serenaded by his Brian O'Keeffe, spokesperson for 'It was far from a nightmare result though and we were happy to dodge some big payouts on the horses at the head of the Hot favourite Hipop De Loire, trained by Most read in The Irish Sun The Man About Dog syndicate were celebrating after Bal Kauto romped to victory in the Handicap Hurdle at 7/1. Eileen Sutton, from Ashbourne, Danny Mullins reveals truth about unusual new hairdo for Galway Races and dad Tony's reaction She said: 'I have been coming here for 27 years. It's more exciting this year though. "I'm a little bit anxious but excited. I'm always anxious anyway.' Jack's girlfriend and jockey Emma Sweeney said: 'I was here two years ago. "I rode in the bumper and it was a great experience. It was great to be here on such a big day.' TALK OF GALWAY The talk of Galway has, of course, been jockey Danny Mullins' bright red dreads, and he admits while he's had no luck so far, he believes he's got some good chances in today's races. Danny said: 'It's been a quiet week so far but the jump racing kicks-off from today onwards.' And the 31-year-old is hopeful for a good run in today's big race, the He said: 'Batman Girac needs a strong pace which you usually get in the Galway hurdle. WINNER'S THRILL 'So tactics might suit me but he just needs that strong pace to close off and coming through traffic doesn't always suit Galway but hopefully he'll be bang there.' Apart from the thrill of winning, Danny said it's the buzz of riding fast that is his highlight. He said: 'Just the buzz of being on the back of a race horse going as fast as you can. "There's very few things in life that can compare to that.' Galway Hurdle preview - Irish Sun's Dani Masterson and jockey Aidan Coleman on Thursday's biggest race Away from the parade ring, Sean Slattery and the Connections, DJ Doc and Jimmy Buckley with his daughter Claudia Buckley kept the crowd entertained. Jimmy said: 'I am thrilled to be Performing at the Galway Races this week, even though I'm a proud 'I've been living in Galway for many years and it's a privilege for me to be entertaining the crowds at what is an iconic event to have my Daughter Claudia with me on stage will make it extra special ' Galway milliner Denise O'Callaghan turned heads in a beautiful hot pink dress and feather fascinator. UP FOR GRABS She said: 'This is my hat and my outfit is from Ollie & Mac boutique in Meath.' 'I have been racing a long time but I only started making hats about seven years ago.' Today ladies will be dressed to the nines in a bid to nab some of the €13,000 Head Judge Mandy Maher said: 'I am so excited to be back for the 4th year running as head judge. 'SPECIAL PLACE' 'With Galway being home for me, I find it so special to be a part of Galway's most glamorous event and the largest racing festival in Ireland.' Fashion 'The style, the atmosphere, and the incredible talent in MY VIEW TODAY marked day three of the Galway Races — and what a day it turned out to be! The atmosphere was electric and even the showers could not dampen punters' spirits. The tension in the air before the Galway Plate was unreal. My heart was in my mouth the whole time as Western Fold, who I'd backed, hung on for a famous win. Finally I had got the big victory I had been waiting for! Another highlight of the day was seeing jockey Danny Mullins' new red dreadlock hairdo. He told me his parents found it 'questionable'. The entertainment was non-stop throughout the day and everyone was in great spirits. After the races, we headed for a bite to eat and celebrate my overdue win. The city is buzzing with live music filling the streets. I'm looking forward to seeing all the fashion tomorrow at Ladies Day — and of course I'm hoping for a few more winners! 9 Fashionable ladies are in with a chance of a €13,000 cash prize Credit: Inpho 9 Trainer Willie Mullins' favourite Hipop De Loire won the first race of the day Credit: PA 9 Onlookers were kept entertained with live music throughout the day Credit: Sportsfile 9 The fashion contest was called 'Ireland's most glamorous event' Credit: PA 9 Crowds were forced to shelter from the drizzle as the day went on Credit: PA 9 Delighted punters turned out for day three of the beloved festival Credit: Inpho
Irish Independent
38 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Galway Races: Dublin duo hoping to win big with lucky dip
Tracey McGuinness and Linda Kelly from Dublin have travelled to Ballybrit for two days of the Galway Races. They were accompanied, by chance, by Sharon Killoran from Galway, who was enlisted to show them the ropes and help them take photos. The trio, admittedly, were limited in their knowledge of horse racing, but were hoping to win big by virtue of a lucky dip.
