Official Launch of the Summer Festival 2009

The G hotel was a hive of activity for the launch of the Galway Races Summer Festival. Speaking at the launch, Mr. Tim Naughton, Chairman of the Galway Race Committee said that the 2009 festival promises to attract and please all race-goers as before, but with some exciting new changes.
An array of new sponsors for the festival were unveiled today at the launch. Monday of the festival “Galway’s Best Hotels Race Day”, is kindly sponsored by six of Galway’s well known Hoteliers - Meyrick Hotel, G Hotel, Radisson hotel, Days hotel, Claregalway hotel, Galway Bay hotel, and The Irish Hotel Federation.
Dubai Jewels are set to sparkle in the Tuesday evening sun when Cara Diamonds of Galway and Dubai sponsor the handicap steeplechase.
Sunday will see a number of well known Galway businesses represented on this day, the feature race will be sponsored by the Connacht Tribune, with Galway Bay Fm, Easy fix hurdles, Electronic Retail Security and Caulfield Industrial also sponsoring prominent races on this day. Sunday will be a day for the family, with admission free for under 14’s, entertainment from the Mulkerrin brothers and the Mad Hatter competition which has some great prizes to be won sponsored by Ireland West Airport Knock and Sunway Holidays.
The quality of racing at the festival never fails to quell the crowd’s passion for good pulsating racing and this year promises to be no different. The festival will host Ireland richest hurdle race, the Guinness Galway Hurdle, which will be run at a value of €250,000 coinciding with Guinness’s 250th Anniversary. Wednesday is plate day and the William Hill Galway Plate too has increased in prize value and now stands at an admirable €250,000. Also a first at Galway this year, all hurdle races will be run over Easyfix plastic hurdles, furthering the safety of both horse and jockey.

Details of the increasingly popular Ladies day on Thursday of the festival were also released today. Celebrating 100 years in the fashion business, Anthony Ryans Ltd has increased its commitment to Ladies Day and is sponsoring the Best Hat Competition in addition to the Best Dressed Ladies Competition. With a prize bonanza valued at over €13,500, Ladies Day at the Galway Racing Festival looks set to maintain its reputation as the most stylish and glamorous fashion event on the Irish racing calendar.
The Best Dressed Lady will receive a 1 carat diamond solitaire pendant valued at €8,000, €2,000 Cash and €2,000 in vouchers for a shopping spree at Anthony Ryans Galway. The prize for the winner of the ‘Best Hat’ is a luxury trip for two to a top European destination including flights and accommodation valued at €1,500. All finalists at the Best Dressed marquee will be presented with a special collection of Lancôme cosmetics compliments of University Pharmacy, Galway.
Cogniscent of the current economic climate, competition organisers have chosen the theme ‘Style is Eternal’ to encourage entrants to choose ensembles reflecting their individual sense of style and to remind ladies that true style doesn’t have to involve big budgets.
The judging panel for this year’s event includes well-known Irish and International media personalities and fashion journalists – Bernard Connolly, International fashion stylist and Fashion Director with Social and Personal Magazine, Bairbre Power, Editor of the Weekend magazine at the Irish Independent and fashion stylist on RTE's The Afternoon Show, PJ Gibbons, Editor, Social and Personal Magazine, Sinead Desmond, presenter of Ireland AM on TV3 as well as Patricia McCrossan, Editor, Galway NOW and Fiona Durkin, Fashion Consultant with Anthony Ryan Ltd..
The Galway Race committee re-affirmed their commitment to keeping costs down for the race-goer, with admission prices being held at the same price since 2007-Monday, Saturday and Sunday €20, Tuesday and Friday €25 and Wednesday and Thursday €30.
The Galway Races Summer Festival will run from Monday 27th of July to Sunday August 2nd.