‘It's what Mikey would've done', says winning rider in emotional Galway Races tribute to jockey brother who died in fall
And it was a poignant win for young jockey
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Alan O'Sullivan celebrates with JP McManus and trainer Emmet Mullins after winning the Connacht Hotel Handicap with Filey Bay at Galway Racecourse
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Alan O'Sullivan celebrates aboard Filey Bay
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Jockey Michael O'Sullivan died in February from injuries he sustained in a fall in Thurles
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O'Sullivan's brother Michael tragically died in February following injuries he suffered in a fall at
And he told
'I have so much confidence now, knowing that he's looking down on me. To do this for him, I think he would be proud.'
He added: 'It's unbelievable, my goal at the start of the year was to be good enough that someone might want me for this.
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'When I wanted the gaps, they came for me, I got a dream run. I probably went the brave man's route, but I thought it's what Mikey would have done. I had loads of horse, if I got any gap at all I had the horse to take it.
'He galloped all the way to the line.'
With nearly €2.2million prize money on offer over the 53 races this week at the
The annual racing bonanza saw thousands of
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The groundstaff had the course looking pristine for the week ahead while the crowds prayed the
And it was
GROWING NUMBERS
Jessie Harrington's Jerrari went clear on the run-in to beat Ross O'Sullivan's Prove Yourself in the second race of the day, while Aidan O'Brien's Constitution River justified his short price in the third race.
With over 171,000
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Festival CEO Michael Moloney told The Irish Sun: 'There's lots of pints of
'Last year, we welcomed over 120,000
Opening day one of the
Frank Naughton of The Galway Tenors said: 'To sing up here is always the big buzz of the year, I grew up just over the road from here so it's in my blood.
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'I've been singing up here either solo or with the Tenors for over 25 years and believe me when I say, I just love it.
'And to be joined this year by my fellow tenor Padraig Connaughton makes it even more fun.'
Meanwhile bookie Anthony Kaminskas from AK
FAB FASHION
He said: 'My advice would be come racing, you get the big prices. Shop around with all the bookmakers.'
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Away from the betting ring, racegoers were dressed to the nines and taking in all the festivities.
Pam Richardson from Galway and Suzanne McGarry from
While Galway ladies Joanne Kennedy and Michelle Murphy turned heads in their colourful
Joanne said: 'I'm a local, I'm a major fan. I always come for the races. I love Monday, it's a real local day. The atmosphere's fantastic. The style is amazing.
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'I will be putting some bets on. Hopefully they're winners.
'I have a few tips but if I like the name, I'll go with it.'
And Michelle added: 'I call it the pilgrimage really. It has to be done every year. You feel you're missing out on something if you don't go to it. I've been 26 coming years, ever since I got married.
'There's great style already. A great mix of colours. Even the gents are making a big effort.'
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TRAVELLING PUNTERS
Among the crowds were punters who
Racing veteran Dermot McGann from Loughrea said: 'I'm here every year. I've been coming 30 to 40 years now. It's brilliant, it's a great week really.
'When it comes to the horses, I guess really. I buy the paper and have a look. I'm here three days.'
Bunzai Cowen, originally from
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She said: 'It's my second time here. We come for the races. I'm here with my family. I'm ready to place my first bet. It's always a grand time. It's craic.'
Former
Meanwhile, racegoers held a poignant minute's silence today at the opening of the festival after the passing of legendary jumps trainer Edward O'Grady, who was hailed as 'a colossus of the festival'.
The 75-year-old passed away this week — just days after sending out his final ever runner at
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DANI'S DIARY
DAY one of the Galway Festival kicked-off in style as racegoers flocked to the city for a thrilling week of racing and revelry.
Guido Fanzini and Paul from Wobbly Circus had the crowds in stitches in Eyre Square as they made their way to the racecourse at Ballybrit.
Punters had already started gathering an hour before the gates were set to open.
Ballybrit quickly filled up with racing novices and well-seasoned pros — all looking for a bit of the action. What a place to be on a Monday!
I was very impressed with the style and colour among the big crowd.
Meeting so many ladies rocking Irish designers was even more impressive. There were so many intriguing outfits that I couldn't take my eyes off.
The crowd were delighted to see Willie Mullins off to another flying start but it was a mixed day for punters with only some of the favourites delivering.
As for me, I'm only warming up.
The
He also saddled 18 winners at the
O'Grady trained three Galway Plate winners in the space of just four years including Shining Flame in 1978, Hindhope in 1979 and Rugged Lucy in 1981. The festival organisers released a statement today paying tribute to the man who was a regular feature in the winner's enclosure at Galway.
They said: 'Edward was a colossus here at Galway races.
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'Edward will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends within the racing community.'
And
JP said: 'When Edward fancied a horse, you didn't need to have money. All you needed to have was credit because they nearly always delivered.
'He was an amazing trainer."
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Racegoer Michael Heeney, 6, from Tuam, Galway looks on during the Connacht Hotel Handicap during day one of the Galway Races Summer Festival at Ballybrit Racecourse
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Suzanne Mcgarry from Sligo at Galway Racecourse
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Pam Richardson from Galway
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