Galway Races receive massive boost ahead of next month’s festival

As if we needed any more reason to get excited about the Galway Races.

The festival of National Hunt racing returns to Ballybrit on 31 July and it will boast a larger prize fund than ever before. The 52-race seven-day event is now worth over €2million in prize money, with each feature race now guaranteeing at least €100,000 to the winner. https://twitter.com/sineadcas/status/872031638024269825 As part of the €123,000 overall increase in prize money on 2016, the iconic thetote.com Galway Plate on Wednesday has received a €30,000 boost, with the prize fund for 2017 now standing at €250,000. "We’re delighted that the historical thetote.com Galway Plate will this year be worth €250,000, an increase of €30,000 on last year’s race value," said Tim Higgins, Chief Executive of Tote Ireland. “The race has a long, proud tradition at the heart of Irish racing so it’s great news. The race is always a thrilling one and the quality of the race really stands up especially when you look at the most recent winners." Guinness are once again title sponsors on Thursday and Friday with the famous Guinness Galway Hurdle, worth an impressive €300,000, a race that draws huge attention on the day traditionally referred to as Ladies Day. Friday features the Guinness Handicap, valued at €100,000. Director of Racing of Horse Racing Ireland, Jason Morris said: “HRI is pleased to be supporting the Galway Festival with an increased prize money contribution to match the additional race sponsorship that the racecourse has been able to attract. It is very satisfying that the minimum value for all feature races at the Festival has been increased to €100,000 for 2017. "Prize money has risen significantly at the Galway Festival in recent years and it is only appropriate that winners at Ballybrit are adequately rewarded at all levels given the extremely competitive nature of the racing.” "Prize money has risen significantly at the Galway Festival in recent years and it is only appropriate that winners at Ballybrit are adequately rewarded at all levels given the extremely competitive nature of the racing.” Running from Monday 31 July to Sunday 6 August, the Galway Summer Festival offers the best of racing action, live music, fashion and family fun. For more information and to book tickets to this Summer’s Galway Races visit https://www.galwayraces.com/