Ruby Walsh: Can we be sure the Alizarine debacle at Galway Races was a one-off?

Newcomer Alizarine had appeared to run out a cosy winner until it was realised Aurora Princess had actually run the race. Photo: Healy Racing

I was one of the people who questioned why only 1,000 spectators would join the owners and industry staff attending the Galway Races. I felt it wasn’t nearly enough and wondered what difference such a small percentage of the regular attendance could make to the overall raceday experience.

However, having even 1,000 people a day at Galway all week made it so much more of an occasion than last year. To hear horses being clapped back into the parade ring and to have owners shouting and cheering as the horses climbed the hill to the finish was just brilliant.