Ballybrit Racecourse
Ballybrit Race Track (also known as Galway Racecourse) is a horse race course in County Galway, Ireland. It is located in the village of Ballybrit, in the environs of Castlegar, just north of the N6 Bóthar na dTreabh, c.6km northwest of Galway city.
The track has two stands, the Main stand, and the Millenium stand.
The 7-day Galway Races Festival is held here every August.
Course Information
Right-handed course of one mile and two furlongs, with a steep decline into the dip where the last two fences are situated. These fences are famous for being the closest two fences on any racecourse in the world. There is a sharp incline to the finish line.
History
The first meeting was held in 1869.[1][2]
As part of his visit to Ireland in 1979, Pope John Paul II celebrated mass at the racecourse for two hundred and eighty thousand people.[2] Mayor of Galway Michéal Ó hUiginn conferred the Freedom of Galway upon the Pontiff.
Notable races
| Month | DOW | Race Name | Type | Grade | Distance | Age/Sex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July/Aug | Wednesday | Galway Plate | Chase | Handicap | 2m 6f | 4yo + |
| July/Aug | Thursday | Galway Hurdle | Hurdle | Handicap | 2m | 4yo + |
| October | Sunday | Ballybrit Novice Chase | Chase | Grade 3 | 2m 1f | 4yo + |
References
- ↑ "History of the Galway Festival".
- 1 2 "Ballybrit steeped in History". Irish Daily Mirror. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015 – via The Free Library.
External links
Coordinates: 53°17′58″N 8°59′57″W / 53.299414°N 8.999240°W