Friday has once again surpassed Ladies Day as the most popular day of the Galway Races, with attendance surging by nearly 10,000 over the week.

Weather was the biggest factor in the bumper crowds, admits CEO Michael Maloney, with 49 of the 53 races enjoying fine weather.

It could also be behind the big jump in gambling turnover for 2025 – the bookmakers were 13% up to €7.5 million while the Tote aggregate increased by 16% to €5.8m.

Over the seven days 126,000 passed the turnstiles – Friday attracted 26,234, up over 4,000 punters, and Thursday was down by 900 to 24,381.

Sunday had the biggest hike in numbers to 14,529, up by 5,300. A rain warning in 2024 kept families away from Ballybrit in their droves.

Local Bohermore woman Megan Cunniss was crowned winner of the Best Dressed competition in a monochrome vintage outfit that she designed herself and had made in France, taking home a €10,000 cash prize sponsored by Ella & Jo.

The 28-year-old social media influencer and model who works as a medical secretary at University Hospital Galway won the Dundalk races best dressed contest just a fortnight earlier.

Best Hat prize worth €3,000 went to Bride Butler from Thurles, Co Tipperary, whose headpiece was created by Tuam milliner Michelle Kearns.

On Friday Clodagh Cosgrove from Athlone took the title of ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ for a purple and orange midi dress she bought in Spain, garnering her a prize worth €4,500 from Athlone Towncentre.

Caption: The crowds at Ballybrit for last week’s Galway Races.

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