It takes stamina to last the course

On the run-up to Ireland's most famous racing festival, radio listeners have been regularly subjected to the question, "What makes Galway so special?"

The radio ad then tries to answer the question. "It's the racing, the fashion, the banter and the entertainment," it suggests. Maybe it's all of that and a little bit more, but maybe the ad should also have mentioned the absolute need for resilience, both mental and physical.

The first Galway Festival of the millennium got under way yesterday evening in the sort of driving rain that had one prominent racing personality sprinting for cover while at the same time shouting: "Will we ever f -ing learn!"

Apparently not, because all humanity yet again seems to have been drawn to the festival, including some of the top politicians in the land. An estimated 180,000 people are expected over the festival's seven days, all with the resilient determination to have a good time, inflict damage on their even more resilient livers and maybe indulge in some other possibly risky pursuits.

According to some reports, the options in that regard have increased this year with the news that some enterprising ladies of the night have booked accommodation in a location described as "just off Eyre Square". This, we are informed, is because the furtive customers don't like travelling to Connemara.

Whatever secrecy such pursuits may require, there is nothing reticent about the gambling at Galway.

Last year, a massive £14,076,968 was laid in bets at the festival by the 145,000 people who paid into the enclosures. That attendance figure doesn't include those who stand on the infield, but Galway's reputation as the meeting that bankrolls the sport for the rest of the year continues.

However, a generally unsettled weather forecast is not what the Galway executive has been wishing for. When asked about his aims for the week, the track manager, Mr John Moloney, replied: "It all depends on the weather, but if we equal the figures for last year we'll be happy."

That means the bookies will have to turn over a total of £10,248,315, and the Tote £3,828,655.

As the crowds piled into the 10,000 capacity stand yesterday, there was a human story unfolding in the first race.

On Easter Monday 1997 Shane Broderick (25), was paralysed from the neck down after taking an appalling fall at Fairyhouse, but although now using a wheelchair he is embarking on a training career and had his first racecourse runner yesterday.

Ban Beag only beat three horses home in the GPT Maiden Hurdle, but Shane was determined to look on the bright side as friends sheltered him from the weather in the parade ring. "At least we beat a couple home," he said. Unfortunately, the punters who made Rathbawn Prince the 6/1 favourite for the GPT Handicap could also say the same as the market leader could finish only 11th behind the 25/1 winner Gamekeeper.

Gamekeeper was ridden by Aidan Fitzgerald, who had to lose 9lbs yesterday in order to make the 10st 4lbs weight on the winner. "I've eaten nothing since except one orange this morning," he gasped.

Even for Galway, that was resilient enough for anyone.