Galway reveals much about the psyche of the Irish race-goer

Yesterday’s matinee meeting at Ballybrit was certainly well attended but one would wonder whether those present were in attendance to join the festivities and celebrate all that’s good about Irish racing or there out of a deep-rooted compulsion just to be there.

Whichever, there were bums on seats and bodies in the ring and that, after the Celtic Tiger took the value out of everyone and everything is, it seems, what is needed. It was certainly a pleasant change from The Curragh on Derby day where one could have strewn a generous picnic blanket inside the bookmakers’ ring, sat quietly sipping champagne and munching strawberries whilst enjoying an uninterrupted view of our premier Classic.

That, it would seem, reveals much about the psyche of the Irish race-goer. Run million euro equines in Group race after Group race on the level and a meeting may still proceed practically ignored but put on some flat-race maidens, a couple of ultra-competitive handicaps and throw in a modest handicap chase and some shocking long distance hurdles and the world and its mother will attend.