Fans enjoy Beautiful Day 2 at Galway races as syndicate of seven lads score ‘magic’ £60,000 win in feature race
FANS had a Beautiful Day at the Galway Races yesterday with a ‘magic’ £60,000 win for a syndicate of seven lads in the feature race.
Day Two of the races did not disappoint with the crowds roaring for their favourites in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap, which went to Magic Chegaga.
Jockey Colin Keane snagged the prize pot for owners the Magic Lads Syndicate and trainer Brian Duffy.
The syndicate, of seven racing fanatics from Trim in Co Meath, were ecstatic with their surprise win.
Delighted member Richie Walsh said: “I thought we had a little chance coming down, a little squeak.
“We had the champion jockey, he had the one job to do, nobody told him what to do, it was his gig whatever he wanted to do. He just turned it into magic.
“We’re going to get drunk here and we might get back to Trim by Friday!”
Punters — including one gang wearing oversized heads of U2 band members — made the most of a mainly dry day on the course with large numbers streaming through the gates to enjoy the festivities.
NICOLA McGEADY Ladbrokes Expert
THIS year’s renewal of the Galway Plate, the week’s blockbuster race, looks superb.
Head of the betting is very congested with so many live chances fighting it out for favouritism.
Emmet Mullins is a shrewd operator and could hold all the aces with Cape Gentleman who ran a great race in the Galway Hurdle last year. He also has The Shunter, who boasts Grade One form and is joint-fave with his stablemate.
Willie Mullins won last year and he could taken centre stage again with El Barra. He was triumphant at Punchestown and if he travels and jumps well, he could be one to keep on side.
Easy Game was only a length behind Royal Rendezvous in the race last year. Jack Foley takes off 3lbs so that will put him right in the mix.
Gordon Elliott can’t be ignored either having won three of the last six editions.
I think the pick of his bunch is Ash Tree Meadow who is having a very successful summer to date. He landed a hat-trick at Killarney recently and merits a lot of respect in this line-up.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Galway is living up to its reputation as a very tricky playground for punters. The fiercely competitive action has meant the favourites haven’t been firing, leaving punters scratching their heads.
“We are only two days in though, so the bookies won’t be popping the corks just yet. It’s a long week of toing and froing and we expect a good battle.”
Racegoers also had a huge cheer for the Galway team who won the All-Ireland minor football title over Mayo earlier this month. The team lifted the Tom Markham Cup for the crowd, making up for some of the disappointment after Sunday’s defeat to Kerry in the Senior clash.
Ladies Day judge Kieran O’Malley said he is already blown away by this year’s fashion after just two days. He said: “There’s a lovely atmosphere out here, the style was unbelievable, town was really good last night, there was a nice buzz, so Galway is back.”
FIONNUALA'S DIARY
WALKING around Ballybrit and I was struck by the amazing artistry involved in race day make-up.
Not one lady had the telltale signs of a hangover even though the Galway streets were throbbing with revellers last night — a true west of Ireland miracle!
There were surely some very sore heads in the stands as every pub in town was packed to the brim overnight, with even more people spilling out onto the streets to listen to the live music.
Singers who may be used to an odd bob or two thrown into their guitar case were raking in a fortune from generous American tourists and hammered locals. Where Day One was a local affair, there was a much more international flavour in the stands.
I hope our overseas visitors enjoyed all that Ballybrit has to offer and weren’t too baffled by the giant U2 bobblehead men in the stands. I couldn’t quite get my head around that one myself. The Galway Races website listed Tuesday as “Throwback Tuesday — Throwback to the 80s and 90s” themed. I was excited to see a perm or some form of a leg warmer/fascinator combo.
But the closest thing to a throwback I saw were some frosted tips poking out from under a young fella’s cap.
As for Day Two’s picks of novelty horse names, the commentator repeatedly shouting ‘I Don’t Get It’ in the first race of the day helped enormously with my impostor syndrome. Other highlights include: Jon Snow, Not Even Maybe and Suityourselfboss.
Racecourse fashion did not disappoint on Day Two, with one overseas visitor saying he researched looks from previous years in Galway before jetting over from the states.
New Jersey native Eric Einbinder was sporting a full salmon-coloured suit and shades to study the odds on the board.
He said: “We were planning our trip to Ireland and looking at things to do and as soon as we saw it was on we couldn’t wait to come.
“We love the Kentucky Derby and all the American horse races. We know how to bet, but we don’t necessarily know what to bet.
“We love Galway, it’s a great city.”
His wife Lindsay said: “I brought my outfit with me, I looked up pictures of exactly what people wear, because at the [English] Derby it’s always crazy outfits.
‘GREAT BUZZ’
“We were trying to bring a bigger hat but the suitcase wouldn’t allow it! The vibe seems the same as the huge racing days in the States. Everyone’s happy to be here and ready to have some fun. I was here when I was younger, but coming back as an adult is quite different.”
Eric said they enjoyed a trip into the city on Monday night before coming out with a heavy head for race day.
He said: “We went out last night, we planned on waking up pretty early and we did not wake up early. There was a great buzz in the city especially with race week and all going on. It was awesome.
“It was tough to go to bed when you know all the pubs are buzzing like that.
“We’re just here for one day and back up to Dublin, but if we win a fortune we might stick around.”
GLAD TO BE BACK
Coming from closer to home, Bernadine McGlade was wearing a green dress and hat she bought in Kinsale.
She said: “I like to come every year for the day. It’s part of our heritage and it’s been on the go for so long, I haven’t missed it for a long number of years yet.
“I missed it over the Covid years so it’s great to get back, wonderful.”
Catalina Sposato from Maine said that her group of friends noticed the unique race day fashion in town and luckily had some glad rags to hand.
“We brought our outfits for a wedding in Ireland and we saw some of the ladies out and about yesterday in the city centre so we got an idea of the dress code. We’re really excited to put on some bets.
“I just love the atmosphere and being here. I’ve never done anything like this and it’s really exciting.”
