IT’S good news from Galway Races in this week’s column. They have confirmed that two days of racing from this year’s Summer Festival will be broadcast live on TG4 on Friday, 30th and Saturday, 31st of July.

The live coverage on TG4 will include a packed race programme, with 15 races shown over the two days to a free-to-air audience. The live broadcast will be a welcome return to the racecourse for the Irish language broadcaster, who last aired the races in 2006.

This year has seen a huge increase in Irish horse racing coverage for TG4, which provided welcome airing of live racing to fans over a 10-week period from venues including Leopardstown, Punchestown, Naas, Cork, Limerick, Dundalk, Navan and Sligo.

Highlights have included the opening of the flat season back at its home in the Curragh, the Easter Festival in Fairyhouse and the triumphant return to Tramore of trainer Henry de Bromhead and his stable of champions, Minella Times, Honeysuckle, Put the Kettle On, Minella Indo and Balko Des Flos, who were paraded live for admirers on TG4.

Rásaí Beo will be presented by Seán Bán Breathnach, with analysis by Mánus Ó Conghaile and Evelyn Ní Ghriallais. Racing journalist and The Irish Field feature writer Daragh Ó Conchúir will be getting all the reactions from trainers, owners and jockeys outside the parade ring, while race commentary will be provided by Cárthach Breathnach.

The team will be providing the TG4 audience with comprehensive coverage from the racecourse and no doubt there will be some craic agus spraoi to be had in Ballybrit as well. Rásaí Beo is produced by the Waterford-based company Nemeton TV. The team in the An Rinn Gaeltacht also produce Laochra Gael, GAA Cúl Camps and GAA Beo for TG4.

Exclusive action

Rásaí Beo will also be available to watch on the TG4 Player and on the TG4 Mobile and Smart TV App. Spórt TG4 will also have exclusive behind the scenes action from Ballybrit across its social media channels.

CEO of Galway Racecourse, Michael Moloney, said: “We are delighted to have the team from TG4 broadcast live from Galway. In the current times, we really miss our loyal supporters here in Ballybrit that come year after year and bring such magic to our event, so this news that they can get close to the action this summer is very much welcomed. The Galway Races is a multi-generational event and such a huge part of the summer tradition and Irish culture.

“In total, viewers throughout Ireland tuning into TG4 will get to see 15 races live on television, and these will feature the Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase and the Galway Shopping Centre Handicap, with a total prize fund in excess of €500,000 over the two days.

Great supporters

“The team at TG4 has always been hugely progressive and they are great supporters of Irish racing and our Festival. On behalf of our fans and the Galway Race Committee, I would like to thank them for making this happen. We look forward to working with the team in TG4, both in the build up to and during race week.”

TG4’s head of sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, said: “We are delighted to be showing the Galway Races Summer Festival. Horse racing became an integral part of the station’s sporting output this year and we look forward to continuing this with TG4’s free-to-air coverage from Ireland’s largest horse racing meet. We are particularly excited to be back in Ballybrit for the first time in 15 years and to bring all the thrills that come with this iconic festival to the viewers at home.”