WILLIE Mullins, Joseph O’Brien, Billy Lee and Dan King were the headline names to take Ballybrit by storm last week, but there was a much healthier outlook to the overall meeting’s results than is the case at most marquee festivals in Ireland. Over the course of seven days in the west, we saw no fewer than 34 different yards celebrate success in the winner’s enclosure - and a terrific tally of 35 individual jockeys riding winners.

The Galway Festival, not for the first time by any means, delivered moments to savour for an array of different connections and that is part of its rich charm each summer. Having a broad cast of characters at the heart of the action compensates for the quality of racing being, in the main, behind Ireland’s other major festivals like Punchestown and Leopardstown’s Christmas and Dublin Racing events..