THE countdown to the Galway Summer Racing Festival has gone into overdrive following the official launch of the marathon seven-day meeting this week.

Up to 200 guests were in attendance at the new Radisson RED Hotel in Galway City on Tuesday when details of the 2025 festival were announced.

The year’s Galway Races will mark Diageo’s 60th year association with the highlight of the summer racing calendar, while Tote’s sponsorship of the Galway Plate – carrying a whopping prize fund of €270,000 – extends to a 15th year.

With Dr Colm O’Flaherty taking over from Anthony Ryan as Chairman of the Galway Race Committee, the annual push to enhance the festival’s appeal continues.

There are significant changes to the racing programme this year, notably moving the Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle – traditionally part of the Friday evening card – to Saturday’s afternoon fixture.

This switch is aimed at enhancing opportunities for participation, as declarations for this race will now take place on the morning after the final field for Thursday’s Galway Hurdle has been confirmed.

As a result, the Beginners Steeplechase over two miles, six furlongs will move from Thursday’s card to Friday, August 1, and the Nursery Handicap over seven-furlongs, previously run on Saturday, will now take place on Thursday, July 31.

This year’s festival will see the staging of 53 races, offering an increased total prize fund of €2,171,000 and a minimum value of €17,000 for each race. The feature event on all seven days will be worth at least €110,000.

Award-wining Irish skincare brand, Ella & Joe, are the new title sponsors of the Best Dressed awards on Ladies Day, with a standout €10,000 cash prize for the Best Dressed Lady and €3,000 for the Best Hat.

Chanelle Pharma will continue their support of the Leading Trainer award which has become the preserve of Willie Mullins over recent festivals, and the company is also now the official sponsors of the Best Turned Out Series at Ballybrit

Michael Moloney, Chief Executive of Galway Racecourse, said at Tuesday’s launch that preparations were on schedule for the festival which kicks off on Monday, July 28.

Pictured: Attending the launch of the Galway Summer Racing Festival in the  Radisson RED Hotel on Tuesday were, from left: Alan Power, Diageo, Michael Moloney, Chief Executive of Galway Racecourse with the Guinness Hurdle trophy, Michael Gillespie, Diageo, and Harry Connelly, Verve. Photos: Andrew Downes, Xposure.