GALWAY will see a number of changes this year, not least in two pivotal roles within the racecourse structure. Following the untimely death of the Galway Committee chairman Terry Cunningham, his vice-chairman Peter Allen was elevated early to the top seat, and the new incumbent is a man with close family ties to the racecourse.

Another baton was exchanged last year when the curtain came down on the 2015 Festival. John Moloney had just overseen his 27th consecutive July meeting after a career with the course that had seen it transformed and developed further, building on solid foundations laid by John’s predecessors.