GALES AND gridlock made for challenging conditions at the continuing Galway summer race festival yesterday but even the wickedest weather couldn’t quench that primeval urge for a communal roar.
And first roar of the evening in the Ballybrit stands was for the JP McManus-owned Back Me Up, which won the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by former jockey Christy Roche, it was ridden by his son Padraig in the 5.10pm opener. Mr McManus wasn’t present to witness the triumph, but was represented by his son Ciarán.
“Shirts must be worn in the bar. Thank you,” read one sign in a Salthill hotel as weary punters who had lost same attire claimed that it had been a “beano for bookies” over the past few days – with two days still to go.
Initial estimates are that attendance is down at Ballybrit by about 15 per cent on last year’s almost 200,000. However, given the combined elements of recession, weather, post-Volvo Ocean race punter fatigue and some concerns over swine flu, the organisers aren’t too upset. The Tuam Herald is expected to confirm once again that it has been a “horse of a week”.
Ladies’ Day is set to continue for the foreseeable future, given the very healthy attendance numbers on Thursday – but excess imbibing into the early hours yesterday resulted in a very busy 24 hours for the Galway ambulance crews.
Supt Tom Curley of Galway Garda station said that there had been a small amount of underage drinking out at the track, three arrests for drink-driving, and 20 arrests in the city early yesterday, mainly due to excessive alcohol.
“However, we had no assaults, and some people were arrested for their own safety,” Supt Curley said.
“When you have up to 30,000 people between Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, you will have a certain amount of problems – but thankfully, nothing serious so far.”
HSE West chief ambulance officer Paudie O’Riordan said that the 20 ambulance call-outs early yesterday – matching public order arrests – was up at least 30 per cent on the same time last year. “A number of these are alcohol-related, which poses its own challenges,” he said.
Tourism interests still hope the seven-day festival, which winds up tomorrow, will generate at least €70 million within the local economy.
A special fundraiser for Galway Hospice in the Killanin stand yesterday marked the anniversary of the late Bill Earls, who had attended the race festival for 68 consecutive years and passed away last year.
The family have paid tribute to the hospice homecare team who nursed their father, and said that they wished to “give something back”.