The Galway Races is one of the biggest and most celebrated horse racing festivals in Ireland, combining seven days of top-class flat and National Hunt racing with a social occasion that draws tens of thousands to the west of Ireland each summer. Known locally as “Race Week,” the festival is as much a cultural event as a sporting one, with Galway city transforming into a vibrant hub of hospitality, fashion, and entertainment.
What Are the Galway Races?
The Galway Races is an annual seven-day horse racing festival held at Ballybrit Racecourse on the outskirts of Galway city. The meeting features a mix of flat racing and National Hunt (jump) racing, with the programme including some of the most prestigious handicap races in the Irish racing calendar. The festival’s centrepiece events are the Galway Plate, a premier steeplechase, and the Galway Hurdle, both of which attract large and competitive fields. The meeting also features Ladies’ Day, one of the most glamorous social occasions in Irish sport.
When Are the Galway Races?
The 2026 Galway Races run from 27 July to 2 August 2026. Racing takes place each day across the seven-day programme, with the Galway Plate traditionally held on Wednesday and the Galway Hurdle on Thursday. Each day features a full card of six to eight races.
Where Are the Galway Races Held?
The festival takes place at Ballybrit Racecourse, located approximately three kilometres from Galway city centre. The course features a right-handed, undulating track that tests both horse and jockey, with separate flat and jump courses. The facilities include multiple grandstands, hospitality areas, and betting rings. Galway city itself provides the social backdrop, with the city’s pubs, restaurants, and streets buzzing throughout Race Week.
Key Contenders
The Galway Races attract horses from the leading yards in Ireland and Britain. For the Galway Plate, trainers such as Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead regularly target the race with well-handicapped contenders. The Galway Hurdle draws a similarly strong field. Flat races throughout the week feature runners from Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle operation and other top flat trainers. The handicap nature of the feature races means that outsiders and lesser-known horses frequently feature in the shake-up, adding to the betting excitement and unpredictability.
How to Watch
In Ireland, the Galway Races receive extensive coverage on RTE, with live broadcasts of the feature races each day. In the United Kingdom, Racing TV and At The Races provide comprehensive live coverage throughout the festival. International viewers can access racing streams through their local betting platforms or racing broadcasters. The festival also receives significant coverage in the Irish sporting press and on social media.
History and Significance
The Galway Races have been held at Ballybrit since 1869, making the festival one of the oldest and most enduring events in Irish sport. The meeting has deep roots in Galway’s social and cultural life, and Race Week is considered the unofficial highlight of the summer in the west of Ireland. The Galway Plate, first run in 1869, and the Galway Hurdle, first run in 1913, are among the most coveted prizes in Irish National Hunt racing. Beyond the sport itself, the festival is famous for its social scene, with Ladies’ Day drawing national media attention for its fashion and style. The economic impact on Galway city during Race Week is substantial, with hotels, restaurants, and businesses throughout the region benefiting from the influx of visitors.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the Galway Races are available through the Galway Racecourse website and at the gate on racedays. Admission options include general enclosure access, reserved grandstand seats, and premium hospitality packages. Ladies’ Day and the days featuring the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle are the busiest, and advance booking is recommended for hospitality. Student and senior concessions are typically available. The festival regularly attracts over 130,000 attendees across the seven days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Galway Plate?
The Galway Plate is a Grade A handicap steeplechase and the centrepiece of the Galway Races festival. It is one of the most competitive and valuable jump races in Ireland, attracting a large field of runners from the top training yards.
When is Ladies’ Day at the Galway Races?
Ladies’ Day is traditionally held on the Thursday of Race Week, coinciding with the Galway Hurdle. It features a best-dressed competition and is one of the most popular days of the festival.
Is it possible to attend the Galway Races without pre-booking tickets?
Yes, general admission tickets can be purchased at the gate on most days. However, for the busiest days (Wednesday and Thursday), and for hospitality options, advance booking is strongly recommended.
How do I get to Ballybrit Racecourse from Galway city?
Ballybrit is approximately three kilometres from Galway city centre. Shuttle buses operate during Race Week, and taxis are readily available. Many racegoers walk or cycle from the city. Parking is available at the racecourse but fills up quickly on the busiest days.
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