The champion National Hunt conditioner training the winner of a major race at an Irish racing festival was no surprise, but what was a shock was the 50/1 price of the winner in the hands of English amateur rider David Dunsdon.

Right at the bottom of the handicap, carrying 10-13, Dunsdon came late and wide on the eventual winner in the colours of Coldunell Limited to take victory in the opening day feature by three and a half lengths.

Another big-priced runner, Baltic Bird (25/1), ridden by County Cork jockey Johnny Barry for owner/trainer Bill Durkan. Spasiba (8/1), another Closutton runner, this one the mount of Jody Townend was third one and a half lengths behind the runner-up.

Eleven-year-old Lord Erskine was fourth for trainer Harry Rogers at 33/1 another one and three-quarters of a length back in fourth place.

Lot Of Joy (4/1f), another Willie Mullins-trained runner, ridden by his son, Patrick, eventually finished in 9th place.

Danny Mullins and Richard O’Brien claim 2024 Festival opener

The well-supported Feud (16/5) was an easy winner of the opening The Galmont Hotel and The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle.

Ridden by Danny Mullins for Richard O’Brien, the winner was well placed throughout the 2 miles 130 yards contest, before putting three and a half lengths between himself and the runner-up Mordor (15/2), the mount of Sam Ewing for the Gordon Elliott stable. Pigeon House (4/1), who was close to the front of the field throughout crossed the finishing line in third place, a further six and a half lengths behind.

The race favourite, the French-bred Willie Mullins-trained Sysko (9/4f) was never a threat, and finished in fourth place on his Irish debut.

County Meath-trained double on day one

Father and son Matthew and Kevin Smith teamed up to easily win the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 130 yards.

The Co Meath outfit claimed the win Son Of Hypnos (16/1) who was a facile 10-length winner over Clonburg Bridge (16/1), with Vischio (10/1) and Harley Street (17/2) taking third and fourth places respectively.

Smith’s fellow Co Meath-based conditioner Jack Davison also returned to the winner’s enclosure, with Artful Approach (7/1), in The Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap.

In the hands of five-pound claimer James Ryan, the chestnut gelded son of Mehmas came on the outside of the field in the dying stages of the 7-furlong 50-80 Handicap, to take the win by one and a half lengths, with a short-head separating the runner-up and third, Cuban Confusion (10/1) and Louiescall (10/1). The 100/30 race favourite, Avatar Jet, crossed the line back in 12th place.

Rock Of Cashel loses maiden tag

Rock Of Cashel (3/1), eighth on debut at The Curragh last month, broke quickly at Ballybrit today, and was at the head of the field for the duration of the seven furlongs race.

When Wayne Lordan asked the son of Wootton Bassett to take his race, the two-year-old colt powered up the Galway hill and take a two and a quarter length win from another 3/1 shot Admiral Churchill under Billy Lee for the Paddy Twomey stable, with Joseph O’Brien’s Viking Invasion (7/1) next home, a further length behind.

The Dermot Weld-handled favourite Truth Be Told (13/8) finished fourth, another length and a half back.

Tony Mullins and Rory Cleary teamed up for success in The Grá Chocolates Handicap over 1 mile 4 furlongs and 84 yards at 7.45pm.

The post Sirius is 50/1 surprise winner of Connacht Hotel Handicap at Galway appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Dunum (100/30f), a close third in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap here on Tuesday evening, gained deserved compensation with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms Irish EBF ‘Ahonoora’ Handicap over 7 furlongs.

Trained in County Armagh by Natalia Lupini, the bay gelded son of Ivawood was running a distance that was one furlong shorter than his previous race.

Dunum gains a deserved big-race success for Natalia Lupini & @wjlee24786 with victory in the €110,000 @irishebf_ “Ahonoora” Handicap at @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/oFcQLvvfDT

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 6, 2023

The Maurice Burns and Michael McCarton-owned five-year-old was well positioned throughout the €110,000 contest, taking the lead in the home straight. Despite the best effort of Snapraerterea, the eventual runner-up, Dunum was a comfortable two-length winner under jockey Billy Lee.

“It’s been a good week.”@wjlee24786 on victory for Dunum in the “Ahonoora” Handicap at @Galway_Races

A good week for the rider with three winners at Ballybrit pic.twitter.com/LYQLuCc1lg

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 6, 2023

Teed Up (4/6f), who won the Monday night feature and was runner-up on Friday, claimed a second success of this year’s Galway Races when winning the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for the second year in a row.

Ridden today by four-pound claimer Conor Clarke, the Emmet Mullins-trained son of Gleneagles was a three and a half length winner over Gold Speed, with Bythesametaoken a head further back in third.

Mullins later completed a double when Malbay Madness (6/5f) came wide and late on the outside of the field under Colin Keane to take the Ireland West Airport Knock Handicap.

The good form of jockey Ray Barron continued as he won his third race of the week, this time aboard My Design (14/1) for Waterford trainer Declan Queally in the Kenny Galway Handicap Hurdle.

Fighting Fit was a shock 33/1 winner of the Lord Hempill Memorial Handicap Chase for Kildare handler Philip Dempsey. The Gavin Brouder-ridden eight-year-old had failed to complete on his two previous starts back in April.

Saint Sam was an all-the-way winner of the Eileen Kelly Memorial Chase under the week’s leading jockey Paul Townend and champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Running in the silks of Edward Ware, the six-year-old was winner of a Grade 3 chase at Killarney in May.

Classy performance

Saint Sam justifies 4/7 favouritism to land this €25,000 prize for @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend at @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/TpasOxTeoF

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 6, 2023

Stromberg (1/5f) was a fifth success of the week for Donegal rider Dylan Browne McMonagle, when winning the Kinlay Hostel Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden for Joseph O’Brien and owners Teme Valley.

Nice turn of foot

Bond villain in the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, the equine Stromberg (Iffraaj) opens his account at the second time of asking for @DylanBrowneMcM (fifth winner of the week) & @JosephOBrien2 at @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/g58tn8bqMC

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 6, 2023

The concluding race of the 2023 Galway Racing Festival saw 4/9 favourite You Oughta Know give Willie Mullins a 10th winner of the week. The Luke McMahon-owned winner was ridden by the trainer’s son, Patrick.

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Ridden by Chris Hayes, the son of Dubawi held off the late fast finishing No More Porter (18/1, jockey Jamie Powell), with Robbie Colgan on Dunum a further three-quarters of a length back in third.

Thriller!

No More Porter was a willing nemesis but Coeur D'Or (14-1) would not be denied in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap – the feature race on day two of the @Galway_Races Festival

Dermot Weld's lightly-raced seven-year-old absolutely flies home for @chrishayes24 pic.twitter.com/bNpdmbreFB

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 1, 2023

The win was the first part of a double for Weld and Hayes, who took the Caulfield Industrial Irish EBF Maiden with the Moyglare Stud Farm-owned Livio Milo (5/2).

Willie Mullins, who achieved an opening night double on Monday, matched the achievement this evening when taking the opening two races on the card.

The least fancied of the Mullins runners in the betting market, Arctic Fly (12/1), won the Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle for rider Seán O’Keeffe, while the 1/4f Sharjah, a six-time Grade 1-winning hurdler, made a successful chasing debut – at the age of 10 – in the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase under Paul Townend.

Six-time Grade One-winning hurdler Sharjah (1-4) makes no mistake on his chasing debut @Galway_Races

He might now be 10 years old, but there is surely much more to come from @WillieMullinsNH's fabulous stable stalwart on this evidence … pic.twitter.com/rvZR68UQNK

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 1, 2023

The good form of trainer Paddy Twomey and rider Billy Lee continued, thanks to Purple Lily (5/2f) in the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF (Fillies) Maiden.

Oh, that looked a good race

Purple Lily (Calyx) improved with every stride in the seven-furlong fillies' maiden @Galway_Races to deny fellow debutante Tannola by a neck @paddytwomey | @wjlee24786 pic.twitter.com/wSoYekIIiW

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 1, 2023

The caulfieldindustrial.com Handicap went the way of the Andrew Slattery-trained 7/2f Bells On Her Toes, while the Tuesday finale was won by the Make Believe gelding Complete Fiction (4/1jf) for Jarlath Fahy and Colin Keane.

The post Coeur D’Or wins thrilling Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The 7/2 race favourite, trained by Emmet Mullins, had a half length to spare at the finishing line from The Very Man in the two-mile one furlong contest.

Teed Up wins the €110,000 feature!

The favourite travels oh so well and sees it out in testing ground at the finish to strike for Emmet Mullins, Raymond Barron and the Mee family at @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/LjiKbvbpF8

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2023

The six-year-old winner, a recent Tramore runner-up, was another big winner on the CV of former rider, Emmet Mullins, who trained Noble Yeats to win the 2022 Aintree Grand National.

Gordon Elliott’s Shajak was third in Monday’s highlight, a half-length behind the runner-up The Very Man, with HMS Seahorse next home in fourth.

"Horses for courses."

Teed Up is now 211211 at @Galway_Races and Emmet Mullins speaks to @irishkor about his big-race winner on day one at the festival.

Expect to see this one out again later this week! pic.twitter.com/gdIfqleEc2

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2023

Top owner JP McManus had an opening evening double courtesy of Mystical Power (7/4f, jockey Mark Walsh) in the first race, the Galwaybayhotel.com&Galmont.com Novice Hurdle, and Neveradullmoment (4/1f, jockey Danny Gilligan) in the EasyFix Handicap Hurdle.

The former, a four-year-old gelded son of Galileo out of former top mare, Annie Power, was also the first leg of a double for trainer Willie Mullins, who later won the bumper with My Great Mate (9/2, Patrick Mullins).

Different class!

Mystical Power – by Galileo out of Annie Power – bolts up in an exciting start to the 2023 Galway Festival and remains unbeaten for Mark Walsh, Willie Mullins and JP McManus pic.twitter.com/Zs71BtEvVM

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2023

Mythology (7/4f), second to the impressive Henry Longfellow at The Curragh on his most recent start, got on the board for Joseph O’Brien and Donegal rider Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Another winning favourite!

Mythology (Starspangledbanner) had no answer to Henry Longfellow last time but the Railway Stakes fifth gets his turn from the eye-catching Sea The Polaris in the opening Flat race at @Galway_Races @JosephOBrien2 pic.twitter.com/6LAyvyyxgo

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2023

The 8/1 shot Rio Largo was successful for breeder/trainer Luke Comer in the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap over seven furlongs, in the hands of Declan McDonagh, while Youcrackmeup (16/1) gave handler Jessica Harrington and jockey Shane Foley a winner on the first night of the festival.

The post Teed Up wins Connacht Hotel Handicap at Galway appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Brian Hughes is booked to ride Hewick, who is among the 34 horses going forward for summer’s chasing highlight.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Final Orders and Barry Connell-handled Enniskerry stand their ground, while Kilcruit and 2021 Galway Plate runner-up Easy Game are two of five entries for champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins. 

Gordon Elliott has 11 in the race with Fury Road and Ash Tree Meadow, fourth in the race a year ago, among them.

Lifetime Ambition could represent Jessica Harrington, with Gabbys Cross and Foxy Jacks possible runners for Henry de Bromhead and Mouse Morris respectively. 

The Galway Races get underway at Ballybit on Monday next.

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The weights are headed by last year’s winner Shark Hanlon’s Hewick with thirty-four still standing at this stage.

Entries at Weights

GALWAY Wednesday, 2nd August 2023

(6:40) 214D The Tote Galway Plate (H’cap S’chase)

(Grade 3) €159,300.00 ( 2m 6f 111y – 4yo+)

[MAX 22]

1 Hewick (167) (JJHanlon) ……………… 11,12
2 Kilcruit (160) (WPMullins) ……………. 11,05
3 Easy Game (FR) (159) (WPMullins)……………11,04
4 Fury Road (155) (GElliott) ……………. 11,00
5 Lifetime Ambition (155) (MrsJHarrington) …….. 11,00
6 Andy Dufresne (150) (GElliott) …….. 10,09
7 Final Orders (GB) (149) (GCromwell) …………… 10,08
8 Enniskerry (148) (BConnell) ………… 10,07
9 Visionarian (148) (PFahey) ………….. 10,07
10 Ciel De Neige (FR) (147) (WPMullins) ……………. 10,06
11 Foxy Jacks (147) (MFMorris) ……….. 10,06
12 Authorized Art (FR) (146) (WPMullins) ……………. 10,05
13 The Goffer (146) (GElliott) ……………. 10,05
14 Ash Tree Meadow (FR) (145) (GElliott) ………………… 10,04
15 A Wave Of The Sea (143) (JPO’Brien)…………….. 10,02
16 Gabbys Cross (143) (HdeBromhead) ……… 10,02
17 Fighter Allen (FR) (142) (WPMullins) ……………. 10,01
18 Hollow Games (142) (GElliott) ……… 10,01
19 Hurricane Georgie (141) (GElliott) … 10,00
20 Peregrine Run (141) (PFahey) ……… 10,00
21 Tullybeg (141) (GElliott) ……………….. 10,00
22 Lieutenant Command (FR) (140) (NMeade) ………………… 9,13
23 Upping The Anti (139) (HdeBromhead) ……….. 9,12
24 Born By The Sea (138) (PJGilligan)… 9,11
25 Gevrey (FR) (138) (GElliott) ……………. 9,11
26 Hereditary Rule (138) (JCMcConnell) …………. 9,11
27 Fils D’oudairies (FR) (137) (GElliott) ………………….. 9,10
28 Vina Ardanza (137) (GElliott) …………. 9,10
29 Farceur Du Large (FR) (131) (NMeade) ………………… 9,04
30 Ilikedwayurthinkin (131) (GCromwell) …………….. 9,04
31 Mars Harper (GB) (131) (GElliott) …… 9,04
32 Presentandcounting (131) (DMcCain (inGB)) ……… 9,04
33 Streets Of Doyen (131) (TGibney) ….. 9,04
34 Pakens Rock (126) (BTMurphy) ……… 8,13

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The fund – a total of €1,817,500 – will be spread across fifty-two events over the course of a week.

Each day will have a feature race with a minimum prize fund of €100,000 per race.

The hotly contested Tote Galway Plate, a race synonymous with Galway, will take place on Wednesday, July 28th.

The Tote Galway Plate is a race awash with quality, with experienced chasers taking on emerging youngsters, and has produced some high-class recent winners including, Balko Des Flos and Road To Riches.

This year’s edition of the race will have a prize fund of €250,000 after receiving an increase of €50,000.

The race cards on Thursday, July 29th and Friday, July 30th are sponsored in full by the Galway Races long-standing partner, Guinness, with Thursday’s Guinness Galway Hurdle now worth €250,000, having also received a boost of €50,000.

Each year for the Summer Festival, the Galway Racecourse hosts the Leading Jockey and Leading Trainer Championships sponsored by the Rooney Family and Chanelle Medical respectively.

This year, the Galway Race Committee are proud to announce that in association with the Rooney Family, they will be unveiling a new Pat Smullen Perpetual Trophy for the winner of the Flat Jockey Championship in memory of the jockey.

Smullen was linked with the Galway Festival through his partnership with Dermot Weld and a regular recipient of this prize.

Commenting on this award, Anthony Ryan, Chairman of Galway Race Committee said, “Pat was a true gentleman, a champion, a warrior and a regular to the winner’s enclosure here in Ballybrit. Pat has a huge number of fans and support here in Galway so it’s only fitting that we honour him in this way”.

Galway Racecourse have submitted plans for 5,000 spectators per day at the outdoor event, and are waiting for an imminent decision in relation to this.

Should they get approval, an announcement of their ticketing policy will be released shortly.

The first four action-packed days of the Galway Races will be broadcast on RTÉ from Ballybrit at 5 pm for two hours.

That includes the feature race on each day plus three supporting races each day.

TG4 will also broadcast the event for the first time in sixteen years, Galway Racecourse have announced.

The live coverage on TG4 will include fifteen action-packed races on Friday, July 30th and Saturday, July 31st.

It will feature races such as The Guinness Galway Blazers Steeplechase, The Guinness Galway Tribes Hurdle and The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap.

To complement the above television broadcast, Racing TV will cover and broadcast every one of the fifty-two races live from the track.

You can see the schedule for the 2021 Galway Races here.

To read the information on this year’s Ladies Day, click here.

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• The Weights Release on Monday 19^th July via Facebook and Instagram LIVE;
• A dedicated What’s App phone line during the festival for fans to send in their text messages and videos of support direct to all taking part in Ballybrit;
• Daily onsite show direct from the team at the track, bringing you up close and personal and behind the scenes of Irelands largest horse racing festival.

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The 8 race card will see a mixture of races. First up at 4.10 is Claregalway hotel maiden. Aidan O’Brien’s charge Wembley would be my selection here at odds of 11/8. The horse finished 2nd in a 2yo maiden race last week at The Curragh and will surely come on for that here. Trusted Alley for Mick O Callaghan and Leigh Roche is another to keep an eye on for sure with plenty of experience.

In the 4.40 race my selection is Kokura for the in form Johnny Murtagh yard. The yard has a 24% strike rate in the last 14 days. Finished 4th in latest race at Naas, has a good draw here and is my selection at 10/3.  Royal Canford at odds of 6/1 can win the 5.15 race for WJ Lee and Willie McCreery. Has the experience having finished second in this race last year so could go one better. Lightning Amber for Dermot Weld, Aced It for Joseph O’Brien are also in with each way chances.

The 5.45 is an open race but an each wya shout for Colin Keane and Kieran Cotter with Fridtjof Nansen at 5/1. Finished 9 of 18 at the  Curragh on latest start but has each way claims here in an open affair. Globe Theatre for me is the selection in the 6.15 at odds of 14/1. Again probably go with each way. Shane Crosse and Joseph O’Brien have a 14% strike rate in the last two weeks. Other horses that can go close are Centroid and Share the Honour.

It’s hard to look last Sharjah in the 6.45 race for Patrick and Willie Mullins. Trainer has raced much in the last 14 days but has a strike rate of 33%. Won’t be far away here. De Name Escapes Me also runs here for Noel Meare and Derek O’Connor for the JP McManus yard, as does Dalton Highway for Dermot Weld and JJ Codd.

Yulong Pearlisland is the selection for the 7.15 race for Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington. Horse has won over this trip so that has to be noted. At 4/1 is a good selection. The final race at 7.45pm can go the way of Mt Leinster for Willie and Patrick Mullins. Hasn’t run since February but is rated 142 over hurdle. Clearly stables first string will be thereabouts for sure.

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The Committee’s statement read as follows:

“In light of the evolving situation regarding Covid-19, for public health and safety reasons Galway Race Committee has reached the difficult but unavoidable decision that the 2020 Galway Races Summer Festival, due to be held from Monday 27th July to Sunday 2nd August will not be able to take place as an event open to the general public this year. We know this will be a huge disappointment for all our racegoers that attend year on year.

It may prove possible to run the Galway Races behind closed doors, dependent on Government policy and the approval of Horse Racing Ireland and Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board. This would be for the benefit of the racing industry, our valued partners and our television audiences at home and internationally. We are currently planning for this scenario and we will update you on progress as and when we can.”

Galway Race Committee confirmed it will operate a full refund policy for people who have already paid for admission tickets and corporate hospitality.

The decision comes shortly after the RDS announcing cancellation of the 2020 Dublin Horse Show in July.

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