Galway Races: Two Roscommon punters celebrating 40 years of friendship in Ballybrit
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Sportsguide: All-Ireland Ladies football finals, Galway Races and Lions v Australia
Sportsguide: All-Ireland Ladies football finals, Galway Races and Lions v Australia It is another action packed weekend of sport with the All-Ireland ladies football finals, the Galway Races and the final game in the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour - all you need to know here.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Nans View lands the spoils in Guinness Premier Handicap as Galway crowd sets record
Friday at the Galway Races has established itself as arguably the most popular day of the meeting, and a bumper crowd of 26,234 was not alone 4,000 greater than the same day in 2024, it also set the record for the week to date. The most valuable race on the track was the Guinness Premier Handicap and Nans View landed the spoils for Co. Kildare trainer Jarlath Fahey and jockey Leigh Roche. The drying ground may have been against the 12-1 chance but, under a fine ride by Roche, who sent her clear early in the straight, she was able to resist the late charge of Cheeky Wink. 'I thought halfway up the straight we were there, but the last 50 yards were terrifying,' admitted Fahey. 'She's game and she hung on well, in fairness, and it was a brilliant ride by Leigh.' Commenting on stable form, a relieved Fahey added: 'A few things went wrong, and the yard hasn't been in form all year. They were running well but weren't winning. 'You just have to sit and wait and hope it comes right. You don't change a whole lot; you're not doing anything wrong. It's just that things aren't firing the way they were last year. We minded her for here and thankfully it worked out.' Emer Roche and Kate Geraghty, both from Tuam, cheer on Emer's brother jockey Leigh Roche to victory onboard Nans view. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy Turnpike Trip turned back the clock in the Guinness Galway Blazers, returning to form with a game performance under Philip Byrnes. Trained by his father, Charles, and owned by Peter Acheson, it was just the 20-1 chance's third outing in more than three years, and his last victory came in a Cesarewitch Trial at Newmarket in 2021. However, the 11-year-old, who was a maiden over fences prior to this race, showed he retains plenty of his old spark with a doughty display to deny Antrim Coast and Must Be Obeyed. Said the winning trainer: "It's a brilliant feeling, especially that Philip rode it. Philip said he got in under the second-last and the last and lost momentum, but he really powered up the hill.' Gavin Cromwell introduced a promising sort in the opener, the James's Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden, in the shape of Mighty Danu. The filly travelled nicely throughout but looked as though lack of experience might catch her out. However, Gary Carroll got a great tune out of her close home, and she got up to deny Bellamano by a neck. 'She was very green, but we liked her, and she went to the line well," said Cromwell. 'She's a tall filly and there is plenty of improvement in her, and she's going to make into a nice three-year-old.' The market for the Guinness Beginners' Chase was fascinating and in victory Intense Approach, trained by John McConnell and ridden by Alex Harvey, foiled a huge gamble on Talk In The Park, who was backed from an overnight high of 40-1 to a starting price of 6-1. The winner was in front rank much of the way, passed three out, but back in front close home to win by three parts of a length, with Donnie Devito a close third. Nicola Burns, a young rider who has been impressing this season, got off the mark for the week when getting Mother Mara up late to snatch victory from William F Browne in the Arthur Guinness Handicap. That was number 17 for the year for the young rider, who, in that time, has ridden winners for nine individual trainers. Aidan O'Brien's Eternal Spirit, one of the last progeny of Galileo, made a winning return to action in the Guinness Irish EBF Fillies' Maiden, doing so by finding plenty to see off Generous Support by a little more than a length. Jessica Harrington saddled her third winner of the meeting when Taipan, this time ridden by Keithen Kennedy, completed back-to-back wins in the Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Race. In the finale, a wide draw all but put paid to the chances of Thursday night winner Glenroyal, but 22-1 chance Steps In The Sand, ridden by 7lb claimer Patrick McGettigan, took the opportunity to give trainer Ciaran Murphy his second winner of the week, after Castleheath dead-heated here earlier in the week.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Gordon Elliott & Noel Meade in surreal live RTE moment as they react to controversial Galway Hurdle ruling
GORDON Elliott and Noel Meade were at the centre of a surreal on-air moment as they reacted in real time to the outcome of the stewards' inquiry into the Galway Hurdle. Initially Meade's runner Helvic Dream 2 It was a real heart in mouth moment as everyone stood still to hear the result Credit: @RTESport 2 Last year's runner-up was declared the winner after an inquiry It just so happened that the two trainers involved in the dramatic finish were being interviewed by In surreal scenes, both men trail off from their chat with Brian Gleeson to gaze up while listening to a voice on the Ballybrit PA system. For all that was at stake though, the two Meath natives conducted themselves very well as Meade offered a congratulatory handshake while Elliott restrained himself from celebrating. Slightly lost for words, the Cullentra handler admitted: "Ah look, I'm delighted to win the race. Read More On Irish Sport "But to be honest, Noel Meade's one of my best friends racing. I know how he's feeling now. "We'll see, Jockey Kennedy later gave his own reflections on the race's contentious climax. The Kerry ace insisted: "It's not a nice way to get it, but I do feel I'd have won had I not received the interference. Most read in Horse Racing "I'm delighted we came out on the right side of it. If Donagh came off of me in the final 100 yards we'd have got going again." Helvic Dream was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Kennedy in the home straight. Galway Races' Best Dressed Lady Megan Cunniss 'thrilled' after scooping coveted title & €10,000 prize for glam outfit But the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail. Gutted trainer Meade last night told how he believes it was 'the wrong decision' and he will appeal it. He declared: 'I didn't think we'd lose it, considering the race and considering Jack Kennedy didn't have to stop riding. "I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision and I will appeal it.' BOOKIES BOTHERED Bookies were also caught up in the drama. Sean O'Keeffe started the day with a win as he guided Gold Dancer to victory in the Novice Chase for And Tropical Island took the win in the Fillies Stakes. Trainer Shark Hanlon said the festival is 'going good enough' but he's hopeful for some weekend winners, adding: 'We had a bad day the first day, but listen, I hadn't many runners yet until the weekend. "So, please God, we might have a winner or two over the weekend.'
