Galway Festival 2026 REview

​The Galway Festival remains one of the great highlights of the Irish racing calendar, when Flat and National Hunt racing come together for seven days of outstanding sport at Ballybrit. Thousands once again descended on the City of the Tribes in 2026, and the famous Galway welcome, tremendous atmosphere and exceptional work of the racecourse team and sponsors ensured another memorable week for owners and racegoers alike.
 
The Festival began with Witches Familiar providing Willie Mullins and Mrs S Ricci with the opening winner, while Aiden Melia’s Timurshah struck in the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle. Trean gave the Red Lily Racing Syndicate a memorable success in the two-year-old maiden before Comfort Zone, owned by JP McManus, landed the feature under Galway native Derek O’Connor. Joseph O’Brien completed a quick double when Dancing Saxon won for Fishdance Ltd. Madbadanddangerousscored for J Hunt and Noel Meade, while Teofil rounded off the opening day for Jackie Bolger.
 
Gordon Elliott’s own Lizzie Twigg opened day two before Frankie John struck for M G Hogan and John Maher. The Fenway Park Syndicate celebrated Tell Us This, while Samnina carried the colours of Alpha Racing Syndicate to victory. Tony Martin’s Orandi landed the feature Premier Handicap for C J Murtagh and B Houlihane, with further victories for the Taceec Syndicate through Eddie G, HH Aga Khan Exors with Sindagan, and Hugo and Anne Kane fresh from their Ballinrobe success, won with Lady Arwen.
 
Wednesday belonged to the Tote Galway Plate, where King Alexander provided owner John Ioannis Neocleous, Willie Mullins and Daniel King with a memorable victory. Mullins also struck with Mr Hollywood for the Triple Lock Partnership and Venusienne for JP McManus. The Man About Dog Syndicate celebrated Mighty Berskire, while Abbotsford won for Juddmonte, John Nallen’s Minella Rockettt took the mile handicap and Cock and Bull completed the card for Sarah Dale, Wayne Dale and Ian Foster.
 
The Guinness Galway Hurdle took centre stage on Thursday and produced a hugely popular local success as Tony Martin’s Putapoundinthejar, owned and bred by Galway man Ray Grehan, gave Daniel King an historic Plate and Hurdle double. The Complete Package Syndicate enjoyed Grade 3 success with Shadow Paddy, while Seven Nation Army won for Thoroughbred Racing Syndicate and Kevin Blake. American owner Robert Moran celebrated Listed success with Pivotal Attack, Midnight Jet won for Anthony Head, Cala Bonita struck for S Gillen, Faro Island for James Nicholson, and Willie Mullins completed the day with Run Ted Run for the HOS Syndicate.
 
Friday brought another lively Galway crowd and victories for Joga Bonito, owned by Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, and Vicars Street for JP McManus. Local trainer Paul Gilligan's Kings Hill scored for the PNT Partnership before Thread of Gold landed the feature for Team Valor International LLC and Gary Barker. Steller Moment won for Christopher McHale, JP’s Express for Terence Bellew McManus and Vantage Code for Mrs A F Mee, while Counting Coup, co-owned by trainer Maurice Ahern and John O’Shaughnessy, completed day five.
 
Saturday opened with another Willie Mullins success as Colombus won for Angela Sharmoon, G Loxton and Vincent Caldwell. Five One Five scored for Salvatore Giannini and Tony Logan, Grann’s Boy landed the feature Listed Hurdle for the Nap Racing Syndicate and the For the Love of It Syndicate had plenty to celebrate when Sarahs Lawn took the Mares INH Flat Race. Aidan O’Brien opened his Festival account with Victory Speech for Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, while Rest Your Mind won for Claire Gleeson, Faoladh for the Men of Forty Eight Syndicate and Sir Jeremy for Ciara and Clodagh Morris.
 
Mad Hatter Sunday brought the curtain down in style. Timurshah recorded his second victory of the Festival, this time for Mrs M Connolly, while Caher Roes Den scored for R S Brookhouse. Jukebox Johnny won for Anthony and B M Durkan before Blood Destiny gave the Roaringwater Syndicate another Galway winner for Willie Mullins. Galway specialist Dunam struck for Maurice Burns, Oristown Boy won for Lisa Sheridan, Patrick O’Brien and Larry Murray, and Blue Blue Mooncarried the famous Moyglare Stud Farm colours to victory. The final word went to the Taceec Syndicate, who celebrated their second success of the week when Caislean Gear cruised home in the Fr Breen Memorial Bumper.
 
A Festival for Owners
The numbers tell their own story: 50 individual owners celebrated in the winners’ enclosure during the seven days, demonstrating the wonderful breadth of ownership represented at Galway. Willie Mullins was crowned Leading Trainer, but 35 other trainers also enjoyed success, while Billy Lee led the jockeys with an outstanding seven victories among 37 individual riders to get on the scoresheet.
More importantly, there were scenes throughout the week that captured exactly why people become racehorse owners, celebrations, singing in the parade ring and the sheer joy of watching a horse carry your colours to victory at one of Ireland’s great racing festivals.
 
AIRO congratulates every winning owner and all owners who had runners during the week. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Galway Racecourse Committee and team, the many sponsors whose support makes the Festival possible, and the people of Galway for once again providing the warmth and hospitality for which this wonderful week is renowned.
 
Galway 2026 certainly did not disappoint, seven days, 50 winning owners and countless memories.