All eyes turn to the Galway Races Summer Festival
There’s nothing like a summer of sport, and 2021 is certainly that. With so many events cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, this summer has seen a number of different sporting occasions return to our calendars, and as a result there is a feel-good factor among sports fans.
One of these events to return in 2021 is the Galway Races Summer Festival, which get underway on July 26th. Last year, Irish racing fans were denied the chance to revel in the classic meeting after it took place behind closed doors as a result of the pandemic, but this year the event will be an even bigger celebration of the sport.
Taking place over a full week, the Festival is a chance for Irish racegoers to get back amongst it, after it was confirmed that 1,000 spectators will be permitted to attend each day. Everyone will be eagerly examining the Galway Summer Festival betting to try and pick out who they think will win, and there’s bound to be plenty of thrills and spills as usual.
For those in attendance, it will be a great opportunity for racing fans to let their hair down after a difficult year and a half. Things have been particularly challenging in Ireland, where the government have taken a more hard-line stance on coronavirus restrictions compared to the UK, and as a result, spectator presence at sporting events has been extremely limited.
As restrictions gradually ease, the Galway Festival comes at the perfect time to beckon in a return to some kind of normality. Normally, thousands flock from all over the country and abroad to witness the famous Festival, and while that number will be a lot lower this year, there is hope that this event could signal a return to full capacity for future editions.
One thing’s for sure, the races themselves will undoubtedly entertain. Seven days of top-class action will bring plenty of drama, with the Galway Hurdle and Galway Plate the most coveted of the prizes. The latter takes place on the Wednesday of the Festival, and the early betting odds are suggesting it could be a close one. Tha Galway Hurdle takes place on the Thursday, which is Ladies Day.
For Irish sports fans, the Galway Races have always been a great opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy one of the country’s greatest sporting atmospheres. Galway is one of Ireland’s most picturesque cities, and any excuse to descend upon its streets will always be embraced by the Irish public. It will be a real boost to have a crowd present at the Festival this year, as Irish sport has sorely missed its crowds.
Those who can’t attend this year will have to make do with the television and radio coverage, whilst making preparations for visiting in the future. As crowds grow bigger over the next couple of years, you can bet that there will be a huge appetite for events like the Galway Races Summer Festival. This year, it will simply be a relief to have a crowd present at all.