Galway Races: Punters ride out storm at Ballybrit

After four days of wind, rain, winners and losers, weary punters were running on fumes after the madness of Ladies’ Day — Galway style.

Thursday of race week is always a drunken orgy, and this year was no different. There was little sign of the recession in Galway City in the traditional hotspots of Quay St and the Radisson Hotel. Pubs are never slow in Galway, but race week takes the City of the Tribes to a whole new level.

Never mind getting into bars, you were lucky to get onto Quay St on Thursday.

It was an altogether more sedate affair at Ballybrit yesterday after the shenanigans of the night before. Hardcore punters with sore heads mingled with families and locals, heading up at the end of a week’s work.

One unlucky set who still have a few days to go in Galway are the bookies.

It’s been a long week and they are taking a beating, though few seem to have much sympathy for them.

Though Ladies’ Day was on Thursday, yesterday belonged to a Belfast woman as news broke that she had taken Paddy Power for over £29,000 (€33,385) by running through the card on a £1 accumulator. Golden Wonder and Rebel Fitz got the online punter off to a flyer before Missunited in the feature race continued the run, which was topped off by Treasure the Ridge and Don’t Tell No One.

Paddy Power himself described the woman’s win as an “incredible punt”.

“Normally I’d be delighted to have my pants pulled down by a woman but definitely not in this case. However, I pride myself on being a gentleman and have to tip my hat to her for an incredible punt,” he said.

Meanwhile, a horse co- owned by the late broadcaster Colm Murray, Sweet My Lord, is running today and Hayley O’Connor of Ladbrokes said the betting firm would make a €1,000 donation to St Francis Hospice in Raheny. “Our thoughts are with the family. I’ve no doubt Colm will be looking down today. Regardless of his price, everyone will be cheering home Sweet My Lord in the final furlong,” she said.