Kildare people head west for Galway Races

Many Co Kildare racing fans are flocking to the seven-day Galway Races Summer Festival which is underway this evening.

A total attendance of 160,000 is expected to watch approximately 800 horses competing in 52 races for a prize-fund of €1.9m.

The festival, which has been staged at Ballybrit since 1869, is worth an estimated €54 million to the local economy and employs over 1,500 staff.

Galway’s many hotels, bars, restaurants, boutiques, hair and beauty salons, taxi and bus companies benefit from the increased business the festival brings to Galway.

The flagship races are TheTote.com Galway Plate on Wednesday and the Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap on Thursday.

Competition will also be fierce for the g Hotel & Spa Best Dressed Lady contest with a prize valued at €10,000 for the overall winner and a €2,000 prize for the best hat.

Today FM’s Louise Duffy is celebrity judge.