Galway Races tips: Follow the Dream team on Friday night at the Festival
BELLAMANO can take the opening race for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen on what's sure to be a very busy Friday night's action in Galway.
The Lucky Vega filly has two good efforts to her name at Leopardstown and Killarney and is drawn in stall one, which as we've seen this week is a big advantage over seven furlongs.
Next to her in stall two is Nod Of Approval, who should improve in the JP McManus silks from a decent debut effort at the Curragh.
TIP: BELLAMANO
Each-way: Nod Of Approval
5.30 - Guinness Beginners' Chase
An 18-runner Beginners'' Chase around this tight and undulating track should be fun to watch and the experience of SHANTREUSSE gives him a hesitant vote.
The Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding remains a maiden from eleven chase starts, and may well be exposed, but he has run some good races and was a Grade 3 winner over hurdles back in 2022.
First time blinkers are interesting and he has had a nice break since finishing well down the field in the Topham at Aintree in April.
In truth, anything could win this, but Sandor Clegane is a classy sort with plenty of experience too and will get his head in front one day soon.
TIP: SHANTREUSSE
Each-way: Sandor Clegane
6.00 - Galway Blazers Handicap Chase
One of our favourite races of the week, a contest for horses who missed the cut in Wednesday's Galway Plate and always a fiercely competitive affair.
DIGBY is a reliable little horse who has been in grand form this summer, winning at Ballinrobe over hurdles and at Bangor before running a belter in the Summer Plate at Uttoxeter in late June.
Patrick O'Brien is in great form at the minute, riding a winner here on Wednesday, and if he can get to the front early on he'll take a bit of catching in a wide open race.
Jack Kennedy's decision to ride Mars Harper warrants a second glance. The nine-year-old has plenty of ability and finished fourth in the Festival Plate at Cheltenham in the spring.
TIP: DIGBY
Each-way: Mars Harper
6.35 - Guinness Handicap
You have to go back to the last century for Aidan O'Brien's only winner of this Friday night feature when the brilliant Theatreworld scored in 1998 and 1999 in between finishing runner-up in three Champion Hurdles in succession.
Tonight O'Brien also tries to buck the trend of no three-year-old having won this race since 2001 with his ACAPULCO BAY.
Drawn in stall one, expect Wayne Lordan to bounce out prominently and try to use the son of Dubawi's light weight and strong stamina to good effect.
He has proven to be expensive to follow this summer and has been a beaten favourite in his last three runs but he can atone tonight and prove himself something of a handicap blot.
Soaring Monarch is a fascinating runner. He's a regular here, winning at the 2023 Festival, and was third in this last year and is capable of a big run under top apprentice Nicola Burns.
TIP: ACAPULCO BAY
Each-way: Soaring Monarch
7.10 - Fillies Maiden
Joseph O'Brien has been the scourge of the bookies here a few times here this week and JANNAH STAR should score in this 1m4f contest.
By Sea The Stars, she has been a silver medal winner on her last two starts at Bellewstown and the Curragh since winning bronze on her debut at Limerick.
This looks like a good opportunity to strike gold and get some reward for his consistency.
TIP: JANNAH STAR
Each-way: Ledecky
8.10 - Rockshore Irish Race
The crowd should be getting giddy now and A DREAM TO SHARE can make them even happier with victory here for JP McManus and John and Thomas Kiely.
A former Champion Bumper winner at Cheltenham, he's a very talented horse, who didn't take to hurdling but looked a smart horse for the flat when winning at Leopardstown.
It's a deep race for the grade and prize-money with some dangerous opponents but the suspicion is that connections have had Galway in mind for a long time with this seven-year-old.
Emmet Mullins has had a great week and his Mee family-owned This Songisforyou sets the standard and should be there or thereabouts at the finish too.
TIP: A DREAM TO SHARE (nap)
Each-way: This Songisforyou
8.40 - Hop House Handicap
The lucky last on a long night of racing with REDWOOD QUEEN given the nod to build on an encouraging run over hurdles here on Wednesday.
She's only rated 67 on the flat and came with a threatening run before just getting tired here two days ago. That was her first run since a controversial unseat in May and this looks a race well within her compass for her shrewd young trainer Cian Collins.
Top weight Empress Alma is another who ran well here earlier in the week.
TIP: REDWOOD QUEEN
Each-way: Empress Alma
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The 42
a day ago
- The 42
'Connacht helped South Africa to win the World Cup'
IT WAS AUGUST 2007 and the mighty Springboks were in Galway. Jake White's side would go on to win the World Cup in imposing fashion a couple of months later but first, they had a warm-up game against the apparent minnows, Connacht. Michael Bradley's side were expected to be cannon fodder for the beefy, brutal South Africans. But Connacht had other ideas. They'd got wind of a relaxed approach to the game by the visitors. 'I think they were enjoying the culture in Galway a little bit too much,' says Andrew Farley, the Connacht captain at the time. 'We'd heard that they'd been out for a few nights in Galway sampling the local Guinness and stuff like that, so they were a little bit underdone.' Sitting outside the famous Breakfast Creek Hotel in his native Brisbane, Farley smiles at the thought of that game. Connacht lost but it was a battle at the Sportsground that spoke volumes of the province's ethos. The westerners' defence was brilliant and they trailed 3-0 at the break before Andy Dunne's penalty drew them back to within five points in the final quarter. Bismarck du Plessis was sin-binned for throwing a punch in frustration and the Boks had to call on big guns like Bryan Habana off the bench to finally get the job done and squeeze out an 18-3 victory in Galway. 'We helped them win the World Cup, that's what I always tell people,' says Farley. 'That's a great memory of ours in Connacht. It was fantastic.' Farley is part of the Connacht Clan Hall of Fame. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Last Christmas was the first time since leaving the place in 2009 that Farley got back to Connacht for the sole purpose of visiting his old province. He had been in Galway in 2015 with French club Grenoble, where he played and managed after moving on from Ireland, but last year's trip was all about catching up with old friends. Second row Farley played for Connacht more than 150 times during a six-year spell that included two periods as captain, as well as a few appearances for Ireland A, so he has great grá for the place. He is part of the Connacht Clan's Hall of Fame. Farley took great pleasure in catching up with the likes of John Fogarty, Mike McCarthy, Bernard Jackman, Adrian Flavin, Tim Allnutt and many more while he and his family had a mini-tour of Europe, also visiting France and Wales, where his wife, Lucy, is from. Growing up in Brisbane, Farley could never have imagined the west of Ireland would play a big role in his life. He came through Marist College Ashgrove, the same school as the great John Eales, and played for Australia at U18, U19, and U21 levels. The Aussie back row in those teams was George Smith, Phil Waugh, and David Lyons, while Farley played against the likes of Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, and the late Jerry Collins in the U21 World Cup final, which New Zealand won. Advertisement Back then in the early 2000s, Australia only had three teams in Super Rugby, so it was tough for a young lock like Farley to break through given that the likes of Eales and Matt Cockbain were so established with his club, the Queensland Reds. Farley had already had two development stints abroad with Italian club L'Aquila and Kiwi side Otago when former Wallabies boss John Connelly called him and asked if he fancied moving to Wales to play for Swansea for another new experience. 'I was a young kid and just rocked up. That Swansea team was a savage team,' says Farley, listing off Scott Gibbs, Colin Charvis, Shaun Payne, Darren Morris, and a young Gavin Henson. Farley only had one season with Swansea and his intention was to go home but he got a call from fellow Australian Matt Mostyn, who was moving from Newport to Connacht in the summer of 2003. Farley carries the ball for Connacht. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Next thing Farley knew, he was on the phone with Michael Bradley, who was taking over in Connacht in the wake of the province's march on Lansdowne Road to protest against the IRFU's plans to shut down the professional arm of the province. 'Michael told me that Connacht had just survived all the troubles that they'd had, that they'd got reinvestment and he asked me to come for a year,' says Farley. 'When he said, 'We've got security now,' I was kind of like, 'Security for what?' 'I didn't know a huge amount about the struggle and it was surprising to me but he sold me on the idea of a new project. Matt was going too and he's someone I'm still mates with now.' Nothing much had changed back in the Reds squad, so Queensland agreed for Farley to spend another year in Europe. He ended up taking over as Connacht captain the following season and spending six years there in total. Galway is certainly different to Brisbane but Farley loved the place, aside from the weather. 'Coming from Queensland, I was softened a little bit by Swansea, but like there's no doubting it – it rains a lot,' he says. 'But at heart, Galway is a very warm city. The people and the culture are great and I thoroughly enjoyed it.' That was a different time for Connacht, well before they could dream of winning the Pro12 as they did in 2013 under Pat Lam. The facilities were certainly nothing near the new high performance centre where Stuart Lancaster's team are now doing pre-season. And the current stadium redevelopment was not even close to being on the cards. The highlights in Farley's time were a few thrilling Challenge Cup runs and though they lost more games than they won, he felt like he fitted in. 'With Connacht, and it's sort of like a Queensland thing, you're always the underdog,' says Farley. Farley played for Ireland A three times. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO 'So you sort of use that as, 'Let's go and spoil the party.' I did like that mentality, it's a very similar mentality here in Queensland with the other states. 'There's quite a few Aussies that have gone over to Connacht and really enjoyed it. Canberra boys are used to the weather! Where would Mack Hansen be without Connacht now?' Farley qualified for Ireland on residency grounds in 2006 and the following year, Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan gave him a shout. There were good second row stocks in Ireland with the likes of Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Malcolm O'Kelly, and Mick O'Driscoll, among others, but Farley was keen and joined the squad for a few training camps and was then picked in the Ireland A squad for the 2007 Churchill Cup in England. It was a good experience playing alongside Johnny Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls, Mike Ross, Sean Cronin, and some of his Connacht team-mates, but Farley admits it was a big decision to commit to Ireland. 'By choosing to take that path, I was locking myself out of Australia because then I became Irish-qualified and I could no longer obvously come back and play for Australia. 'But you know, I was captain of Connacht at the time and I made the decision and I don't regret it. I had a fantastic time.' Declan Kidney took over as Ireland boss in 2008 and Farley wasn't part of his plans. So when Grenoble made an approach in 2009, Farley's head was turned. He had turned 29 and reckoned he could play on for longer in French rugby. There was an ambitious plan in Grenoble. So it was that Farley and Lucy moved to France together and lived there for nine years, with all three of their children born there. Farley during his time with Grenoble. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Farley played for the club more than 100 times across five seasons, then moved into a management role with Grenoble up until 2018. Initially after retiring from playing, Farley split his duties at Grenoble with working part-time in the club president's global engineering company. That experience proved important for Farley, who works with a company called BuildingPoint Australia these days. Life back in Brisbane is good. The Farley children – Ava, Sophia, and Tom – love growing up in Australia and their dad still has a core group of his old school friends to this day. Farley remains involved with rugby as a big supporter and also through a programme called the C2K Rugby Academy, which supports young players with position-specific training, mentoring, and advice. He has helped a couple of youngsters to find rugby opportunities in Europe through his contacts, knowing as he does that taking on an adventure on the other side of the world can be life-changing. 'I can't thank rugby enough,' says Farley. 'It's not until after rugby, when people mentor you and look after you, that you realise that you've learnt so much from playing. 'There are just so many examples from my career that enable me to be a good leader now. 'You've actually got a diploma in life from playing rugby.'
Irish Examiner
a day 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.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shockwaves from Thurles closure are threat to thousands who work in Irish racing
What have Rachael Blackmore and AP McCoy got in common? Apart from being trailblazing and record-breaking Grand National and Gold Cup winning Irish born jockeys, they both rode their first winners at Thurles racecourse. McCoy's came on Lethal Steps for Jim Bolger in 1992 at the age of 17 while the recently retired Blackmore got off the mark in 2011 on Stowaway Pearl for Shark Hanlon. It's a snapshot of just how important and significant the small and rustic Thurles racecourse has been in Irish racing for many years. The breaking news on Friday morning that the popular track in the Tippearary town is to close its doors with immediate effect has sent shockwaves through the sport of horse racing in Ireland. It's a venue held fondly by so many people. While glamorous venues like the Curragh, Punchestown and Leopardstown are regularly seen hosting Grade 1 and Group 1 action on television, rural racecourses like Thurles are at the centre at the grassroots of Irish racing. Losing a venue like Thurles is a big blow. They raced 10 times a year and long before Dundalk's polytrack surface was in place it was considered Ireland's first all-weather racecourse because of the ground's ability to take rain. Ironically that has also led to problems in recent times, dryer winters and lack of a watering system has meant that several meetings have had to be cancelled because of ground too firm for jumping. A day's racing in Thurles was all about the horses and the people taking part. There were no corporate boxes or champagne tents at Thurles, it was the salt of the earth. Thurles on a Thursday is synonymous with Irish National Hunt racing. In recent times top class horses like Don Cossack, Sizing John, Honeysuckle and Allaho all won there before big wins at Cheltenham. It'll be badly missed. Bryan Cooper after winning the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles on Don Cossack (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) Sadly the track and the Molony family, that privately managed and owned it, endured their darkest day earlier this year when jockey Michael O'Sullivan sadly died from injuries sustained in a fall at their fixture on February 6th. It was a devastating time for everyone in Irish racing but it shook the Thurles family hard and they rightly cancelled the next meeting due to take place as a mark of respect. Thurles is now the first racecourse in Ireland to close its doors since 2008 when Tralee was sold for development and these are worrying times for the sport. The Molony family's decision to retire is perhaps an indication of the sign of the times and just how difficult and stressful it is running an entertainment business at present in Ireland. Costs are spiralling out of control, people have less money in their pockets and the demands on staff are very tough. Thurles had their licence to race for 2025/26 season but they just didn't have the appetite to go on. In their statement on Friday morning they cited the 'ever-increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business' as being a major factor in their decision. The massive concern now for Irish racing is could this be a catalyst for more closures. The State run Horse Racing Ireland owns and operates Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, Navan and Tipperary Racecourses. But other smaller venues are Limited companies or venues run by various bodies and boards and the reliance on money from the media rights is keeping the show on the road in the main. The shortage of land for badly-needed housing has also made racecourses attractive sites for development. Only this year it was announced that 800 new homes will be built on a site at Leopardstown racecourse – although the action on the track won't be affected. All in all, it makes for potential choppy waters for the sport and the many thousands who work in the racing industry.
