BACK in April the Galway Race Committee made the decision to stage this year’s seven-day festival behind closed doors, should racing return. Since June 8th all racing in Ireland has taken place under the strict protocols set down by Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

These measures are to there for a very good reason, to safeguard everyone’s health and wellbeing during the current health situation and to ensure racing can continue in a safe and appropriate manner. All those who have to be on site are subject to strict health screening both in advance and on the day of racing. This regime will continue at Galway 2020.

The team at Ballybrit continues to work with all relevant authorities, including An Garda Síochána, to ensure that the racecourse will be safe and secure for everyone taking part. To this end they had issued an appeal to everyone that, in the interest of public health, no members of the public should attend Galway racecourse, or the immediate vicinity of the racecourse, as it will be closed. Adherence to this protocol is essential.

While there is huge disappointment on the part of the racecourse team and the annual pilgrims to the Galway Summer Festival, there are many different ways that the public can enjoy and even participate in the week’s celebration. This will principally involve coverage on RTÉ television, Racing TV, Galway Bay FM and on the many different social media channels hosted by the racecourse.

Looking forward

In spite of the restrictions in place, Galway CEO Michael Moloney is looking forward to the week’s racing. He said on Thursday: “With less than two weeks to go until the return of the Galway Races on Monday, July 27th, we are very much looking forward to sharing a somewhat different experience with the public. We have €1.6 million of prizemoney on offer with all the top jockeys, trainers and horses in attendance. We are delighted to present our ‘Galway Races at Home’ campaign, and hope people like what we have planned. I would like to thank everyone who has contacted us with messages of support. It’s been wonderful to get them and they are very much appreciated.”

On Monday the weights for the eagerly anticipated Tote Galway Plate and Guinness Galway Hurdle, both valued at €200,000, will be unveiled. A report on these, and a preview of the races, will be broadcast on social media channels and the panellists will be Michael Moloney, Galway Bay FM’s racing correspondent George McDonagh, journalist Johnny Ward and Colin McHugh from Ladbrokes Ireland.

One of many innovations from Galway this year is a collaboration with Galway Bay FM to produce a series of quick-fire questions and answers videos with some of Ireland’s best-known racing personalities, kicking off with Davy Russell. The videos will continue in the run up to and during race week.

Music sessions

Another venture, and one that will appeal to more than just a racing audience, will be some very special music sessions each day during Festival week, again all available on Galway’s social media platforms.

Nathan Carter, the Galway Tenors, The Conquerors and the appropriately named The Gamblers have been engaged to provide entertainment straight to your living room. More names will be added next week, so it’s time to dust off your dancing shoes and remember the lyrics of a song by The Riptide Movement, “It all works out”.

Laytown off until 2021

THE Laytown races committee reached the difficult but largely unavoidable decision to cancel the 2020 race meeting which was due to take place on September 1st. Chairman Joe Collins said: “Laytown races is in a unique position as we race under temporary facilities and our racetrack on the beach is a fantastic amenity, open to the public. As the health and safety of Laytown and Bettystown residents, sponsors, racegoers, jockeys, trainers, stable staff and racecourse staff is our number one priority, the committee had too many concerns about how we could implement social distancing during racing, especially on the beach and in the village.

“After consultation with all the key stakeholders including An Garda Síochána, Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body, the committee reached the very difficult decision to cancel. We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back to our 2021 race fixture.”

All payments made will be fully refunded and that process has begun. However, the committee asks for everyone’s patience during the process as the sales team is working remotely due to the current Government restrictions.