EXCITING times at the Galway Races as crowds prepare to flock back to the iconic western venue for the summer festival.

Get out your glad rags - there is a new and exciting three-year partnership deal with the Connacht Hospitality Group for the popular best dressed lady and best hat competitions due to take place on Thursday, July 28th, Guinness Galway Hurdle Day.

The Connacht Hospitality Group will sponsor both the best dressed lady competition with a fantastic €10,000 cash prize, and €3,000 goes to the winner of the best hat.

The Connacht Hospitality group is a family run Galway business comprising three hotels (the Connacht Hotel, Hyde Hotel and the Residence Hotel), three bars (Hyde Bar, An Púcán and 1520 Bar), Galway Bay Golf Resort and Active 24 Fitness.

Check into to any of those venues and you will find quality hospitality, friendly customer service and unique experiences.

Judges

Head judge for the lucrative best dressed competition is well-known stylist Mandy Maher who will be joined by fellow judge Kieran O’Malley, digital marketing manager for the Connacht Hospitality group and Jennifer Wrynne, award winning Irish milliner and fashion blogger.

Athlone’s style

If that’s not enough, Athlone Towncentre goes into its 10th year supporting the festival’s most stylish competition on the Friday of the meeting.

This year the prizes are better than ever with celebrity judges Bláthnaid Treacy and Marietta Doran on the lookout to spot the perfect balance of creative styling of high street pieces with personal flair.

This year sees the biggest prize fund on offer to date for the competition winner with a Shop & Stay Break courtesy of Athlone Towncentre.

The lucky winner will leave Galway Racecourse with a €2,000 Athlone Towncentre Gift Card, a luxury two-night break in the four star Sheraton Athlone Hotel and a gorgeous piece of jewellery courtesy of Fields The Jeweller.

Check out www.galwayraces.com for more information.