Latest news with #GalwayPlate
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
San Salvador leads Joseph O'Brien double at Ballinrobe
Versatile veteran San Salvador defied top-weight in the featured Download The Tote App Handicap in Ballinrobe, providing the second leg of a double for Joseph O'Brien and stable-jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, who is now only five behind reigning champion Colin Keane (45-50) in the title race. Last seen when running creditably in the Ascot Stakes, nine-year-old San Salvador tracked front-runner Cristal Clere before challenging on the approach to the straight and, in front inside the final furlong, stayed on to triumph by a length and three-quarters. 'He's an absolute legend of a horse to ride,' stated the delighted winning rider. 'He's so straight-forward, stays well but has a good turn of foot. He has a lot of speed for an old horse and travelled really well. I kept taking him back but he picked up well when I asked him. He was the class horse in the race and won like it. I'm sure Joseph has a plan for him.' Earlier, Dylan Browne McMonagle guided well-backed 3/1 shot, Kashel Spring, to a clear-cut victory in the Tote Never Beaten By SP Maiden, sparing the Carriganog double. The Australia filly swept to the front turning for home before being driven clear to score by five lengths from favourite Minella Study, prompting her rider to comment, 'She's a very straight-forward filly, with a good attitude, and is progressing with experience. I had her in a good position, with a nice pace to aim at. The ease in the ground helped her and, hopefully, she keeps improving.' The Paul Gilligan-trained Buddy One, a high-class staying hurdler, had the perfect pipe-opener ahead of next Wednesday's Tote-sponsored Galway Plate when opening his flat account in the Maiden, mastering front-runner So Golden by a length. The eight-year-old was ridden by Rory Cleary, who stated, 'He's a classy hurdler and Paul told me to buck him out and have him handy all the way, that his class should see him go close. I was pretty much flat out all the way, but he picked up and stayed going well. He just did enough when he got to the front, but it should leave him spot-on for Galway.' Apprentice Nicola Burns, who registered a double at the last meeting here, struck again when partnering the Andy McNamara-trained Galaxy Wonder to a gutsy, all-the-way win in the Follow Tote On X Handicap, holding off the late challenges of Boyne Valley and Eagles Dream. 'He seems to be happy racing on his own and I'm delighted for his very enthusiastic owner Dessie Kelly,' declared McNamara. Front-running tactics also paid off for Robert Whearty on board Paul Flynn's mare Grizabella in the Tote Guarantee Handicap as the six-year-old mare bolted-up by ten lengths from Lunar Landscape. 'She doesn't suit hurdles and doesn't really stay two miles,' commented the winning trainer, 'Her wind is not perfect and these country tracks suit her – filling her up the whole time.' Up 4lb. for a recent win in Bellewstown, Ciaran Murphy's mare Steps In The Sand, ridden by Patrick McGettigan, followed-up in the Tote-sponsored apprentice handicap.
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Tote celebrates 15 years of sponsoring the Galway Plate
TOTE proudly celebrates its 15th consecutive year as sponsor of the Tote Galway Plate, one of Ireland's most unpredictable National Hunt races, held during the renowned Galway Races Summer Festival this month. The Galway Plate has long been a test of jumping prowess, tactical brilliance, and staying power over its demanding 2m6½f trip — and it's delivered no shortage of drama in the Tote era. Advertisement 1 The Galway Plate has it all and Tote will be right there for its 15th year of sponsorship Credit: Sportsfile From drama at the finish line that held racegoers in suspense, to unfancied dark horses landing massive odds, to short-priced favourites crashing out at the second, the Plate is a race that keeps punters and racing fans guessing year after year. Bet €10 and get €30 in free bets plus extra 20 free spins with Tote - "Galway Plate Day isn't just the pinnacle of the week—it's a showcase of everything that makes jump racing great," says Lynda Reilly, General Manager at Tote. "There's strategy, guts, and a little bit of chaos. It's an honour to have our name associated with such a race day." Advertisement Tote's sponsorship of the Plate since 2010 reflects its long-standing commitment to Irish racing and to the sport's future. The partnership with Galway Racecourse has grown beyond naming rights—extending to on-course operations, investment in local recruitment and engagement with trainers, jockeys, and punters alike. "The Tote Galway Plate is a race everyone wants to win from owners, trainers and jockeys to everyone in the stands," says Michael Moloney, CEO of Galway Racecourse. "Having Tote as our partner for 15 years means we've been able to grow the race while keeping true to its heritage. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing "Their backing has helped elevate this day to one of the most atmospheric and thrilling in the Irish calendar. "Tote has been an exceptional partner to Galway Racecourse, and together we've built something truly special over the last 15 years. "Their continued support has helped us grow the Galway Plate into one of the most prestigious races of the week, and their commitment to the local community is deeply valued. "It's a privilege to work with such a dedicated and passionate team." Advertisement With the 2025 festival just weeks away, fans are already speculating: Will another underdog steal the show? Will a festival banker justify the money? Or will the hill throw up another late twist? One thing is guaranteed… there will be drama.
Irish Examiner
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jesse Evans digs deep to claim 10th career victory
The classy, consistent, and versatile Jesse Evans continues to be a tremendous horse for connections, and when he summoned all of his experience to prevail, narrowly, in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle on ladies' day at Tipperary, it was a 10th career victory for the nine-year-old. Three times a winner on the level, once in a bumper, once over fences, and now five times over timber, he was coming here off the back of a trip to Ascot. Though out of luck there, the travelling certainly left no mark as the Noel Meade-trained and Donagh Meyler-ridden 7-2 chance was required to dig incredibly deep to collar similarly versatile veteran Enniskerry in the shadow of the post. 'He's a mighty horse,' said Meyler. 'He's a yard favourite, and he really toughed it out there. He had a nice weight on the ratings and had match fitness on his side, which definitely paid off. 'He's been great for connections, the Singletons. He has brought them all over the place, and was in Ascot last time out. 'I'm not sure what plans are — he might rock up in Galway — but he's won a Graded race today and we'll celebrate that. 'It's great to be connected with Noel, getting loads of rides off him, with plenty of opportunities, so long may it last.' Jesse Evans has been placed in the Galway Hurdle on three occasions and could go for another tilt, but the Galway Plate is also an option, and it is a race Meyler has won twice, most recently in 2024, aboard Pinkerton, for the Meade stable. Darragh O'Keeffe and Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a double on the undercard, starting with Red Glory home in the Donovan Transport Handicap Hurdle. In victory, the 11-1 chance ensured bumper and three-time chase winner The Banger Doyle, frustratingly, remains a maiden over hurdles, despite a favourable handicap mark. There was plenty of each-way support for Adaliz prior to the Cappawhite CE Handicap Hurdle, and the 7-1 chance completed the 95-1 double in good style. There was plenty of support for Strong Link prior to the O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Maiden Hurdle, and he duly obliged under the coolest, most patient of rides by Keith Donoghue. 'He's that kind of ride — he got the same type of ride by John Gleeson when winning his bumper,' said winning trainer Ross O'Sullivan. 'He's a classy horse, but he gets a bit lairy when he gets there too soon. We learned that in earlier bumpers when he pulled himself up in front. 'Keith was impressed with him today. He just needs to tidy up his jumping, but he won with plenty in hand. We bought him off Jamie Codd, who recommended him. He'll go novice hurdling now, and the plan would be the two-and-a-half-mile novice on the Thursday of Galway, if everything goes well.' The card opened with the first three-year-old hurdle of the season and Minella Study landed a nice touch when winning under Daniel King. Backed from an overnight high of 10-1 to a return of 9-4, the John Nallen-owned and -trained gelding, who was a four-runner maiden on the flat, was prominent throughout, jumped well, and showed a good attitude to deny the promising Felicity Smoak. Sam Curling and Philip Enright, who teamed up for a winner and a runner on the all-chase card here on Tuesday, earned another trip to the winner's enclosure after Queenofthelodge erased the memory of her last-time-out fall with a game victory in the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle. Andy Slattery has his team in superb form and well-backed newcomer Ebony King added another to the yard's tally when taking the Tipperary Bumper under a positive ride by Adam Ryan. Victory completed an across-the-cards double for Slattery, after Exceeding's earlier success in Bellewstown. 'They're flying, and hopefully they'll keep that way,' said Slattery of his team. 'In fairness, they have been that way the last couple of years.' Of the night's winner, he added: 'Adam had a lot of confidence in the horse. He's still on the weak side and we had him under-trained, if anything, and he was still very green. He was idling in front, but he has the makings of a nice horse. Tom Meagher bred him, and his wife, her sister, and another lady own him. 'I had him in last year but I left him off because he was very weak. He jumps very well and his work has been good since I brought him back this year, but I still think there's a lot to come. I don't know where he'll go, but if he comes out of the race well, we might go for a winners' bumper.'
