Ballybrit reigns in all weather

After four days of sunshine, the good old Galway weather decided to come along and spoil the party.

Bar a few showers on Wednesday, this year’s festival has been rather tropical but as Galwegians flocked to Ballybrit for the traditional locals’ day at the races, the heavens opened and stayed open for business all evening.

While it wasn’t quite the biblical floods of last year, it wasn’t far off. Not that anybody cared or decided to dress for the occasion. The only people sensibly dressed for the occasion were the Goretex-clad photographers taking pictures of women in sky high heels and dresses more suited to Hollywood than Ballybrit.

In the parade ring, racecourse manager John Maloney was taking it all in without the help of a umbrella. Galway people are hardy folk and rain is just par for the course around here. “It’s disappointing for the people coming but hopefully we will still have a fine evening. There’s still a great crowd,” he said.

Even though it has not been a great week for the punters, Mr Maloney said plenty of people were going home with their wallets full.

As for the bookies, they are looking pretty pleased with themselves.

Paddy Power’s Féilim Mac An Iomaire said, after an up and down week, he was glad to have been just in front of the punters.

“It’s been an eventful week with more ups and downs than a night on the rip with Justin Bieber and we’re relieved to have finished with our noses in front.”

Hayley O’Connor of Ladbrokes was in agreement although admitted that yesterday had been tough.

“We found it hard to keep stride with the punters. It hasn’t been a downpour but our high spirits from earlier in the week have definitely been dampened,” she said.

It’s been a long week, but roll on next year.