Record purse announced for Galway Hurdle winner
By Kevin Murphy
The Galway races are fast approaching and an Irish National Hunt record purse of €300,000 will go to the winner of the Galway Hurdle.
An increase of €50,000 marks the 50th year of Guinness sponsorship of the race and a high class field is guaranteed at the famous Ballybrit venue.
Recent winners of the this prestigious handicap hurdle include the JP McManus owned Thomas Edison while Michael Winters enjoyed back to back victories in the race with Missunited and Rebel Fitz.
Rory Sheridan, Head of Sponsorship at Diageo said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone of sponsoring the Galway Festival for 50 years".
The Tote Galway Plate has also been increased by €20,000 to €220,000 and the iconic race is one of the highlights of the summer racing calendar.
Recent winners include Carlingford lough and Road To Riches, who both went on to win graded races during the national hunt season.
Tim Higgins, Chief Executive Offices of Tote Ireland said: “The Galway Races and Tote both have a long, proud tradition at the heart of Irish racing so the sponsorship is a great fit.”
The seven day festival runs from Monday July 27- Sunday to Aug 2 with the Galway Hurdle taking place on Wednesday and the Galway Plate on Thursday of an action packed week.
