Galway Races off to bustling start

AS is traditional, the sky looked as threatening as the bookies on the first day of the Galway Races in Ballybrit.

The city of the tribes seems to defy the recession every year, and judging by the crowds who thronged the racecourse for the first day of this year’s festival, 2011 looks to be no different.

Fresh from one of the most successful Arts Festivals in years, Ballybrit seems determined to carry on the party atmosphere at least for another week.

Although the VIP tents have been replaced by humble car parks and many of the celebs prefer sunnier climes, the Galway festival still manages to mix the glamorous with the happy-go-lucky punter.

Dáithí Ó Sé was back again for his annual attempt to claw back years of failed bets. Recently engaged, the Rose of Tralee presenter said he was in training himself.

“I’m just here for two days this year. The Rose of Tralee PR will start kicking in then as we are only about five weeks away, so the lead up to that is starting up. I’m in training already,” he said.

A Galway resident for years, Dáithí said: . “I’m a regular here and I live in Galway so it’s great. The house is full and all the lads are up, so it should be fun.”

If you were looking for tips, the Kerryman was the man to avoid though, claiming he hadn’t had any luck in the past.

“Every year, I make two mistakes. On Wednesday, I say, ‘I should have backed Dermot Weld’. Then I say, ‘Sure he can’t keep winning’. And, of course, he does. I backed Rita’s Pride last year. Rita is my fiancée’s name.”

Recently-retired Munster rugby legend Alan Quinlan is also becoming more used to being seen around horses instead of rugby balls, appearing in RTÉ’s Stars Go Racing as the willing pupil of trainer Jessica Harrington.

“It’s good craic so far, I must say, and I’m enjoying it. All the lads are slagging me every time I come in. They know I know nothing at all about horses. Other than riding around on them on the farm in Tipperary when I was a young lad, that’s about it. Jessica has a great set-up though and I’m learning a lot so it’s great,” he said.

Quinlan wasn’t the only rugby star at the first day of the races though. Connacht players John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Brett Wilkinson were all spotted.

Galway hurlers Tony Óg Regan and Donal Barry were also around, though obviously a little glum following Sunday’s heavy defeat to Waterford. It seems a regular occurrence to see the Galway players unhappy on the first day of the festival.

But if anywhere is going to lift their spirits, it’s Ballybrit during the Galway Races.