AND breathe. After a marathon week of 53 races over seven days, the Galway Races are in the books for 2025 - and what an eventful week it was to be reporting in the west.

From the tension of the Galway Hurdle being decided in the stewards’ room to a controversial “starter error” that led to a prominent fancy being left at the start in a €110,000 handicap hurdle on Saturday - as well as incorrect saddles on horses in the pre-parade ring and double-digit suspensions for multiple riders - Ballybrit does drama like few other venues can.