As I began compiling this week's review on Thursday morning Galway races had struggled for the first three days, with relatively poor attendances and similar betting figures. It appeared that the national trend of economic slowdown had been mirrored at our premier festival.
Analysing the statistics it was obvious that the bubble had finally burst. Perhaps the problem lay with the poor quality of horse on view, or maybe punters had got so fed up with the weather that they had flown south for the week.
Either way, there seemed no way back for Galway. The festival had, to that point, lacked the usual buzz and looked set to limp along until Sunday.
While I tapped away on the keyboard in the refined atmosphere of the air-conditioned pressroom little was I to know that the biggest crowd in living memory was descending on Ballybrit. A staggering 39,000 people crammed into the enclosures. 40% more than attended the Curragh on Derby Day. And even more surprising was the fact that along with the stunning fashions on view these customers had remembered to wear their punting boots.
The Tote smashed their all-time record turnover for a single day (?1,549,191) and while the bookmakers held less than on the corresponding day last year, it was understandable as their satchels were already bulging from the earlier part of the week. This was an astonishing afternoon. When I first stepped out into the brilliant sunshine (just before Say Again was about to land the featured Guinness Galway Hurdle) it was immediately apparent that a re-write was on the cards.
Why did all those people wait until Thursday to show their faces? How could that much money be bet on animals of such limited ability? Fortunately the answer is simple, in one word, Galway!
This place has something very special. Not one individual thing that could be replicated elsewhere, but a unique mix that draws people to it. The vibrant city, the tradition, the time of year, who knows whatthe exact mix is?One thing is sure, I won't be premature in my judgement again.
The racecourse management at Galway is also an integral part of the overall success of the festival and has justly had praise heaped upon it for many years. Year on year Galway sets standards for others to follow, and this was no exception. The introduction of a mobile phone charging facility was innovative and few would argue that the ?2 toll was excessive for such a vital service.
It is the little things in life that make the difference. So why the course executive decided to charge patrons the sum of 50 cent to avail of the pass-out gate is beyond me. When a customer pays good money to enter the track (?2 to park the car) and then proceeds to punt like crazy and pay top whack for both food and drink, it is more than mere cheek to expect him to pay 50 cent to return to his car.
One individual who wished to return to his car to eat a sandwich in relative comfort had only a ?20 note. He explainedto the gate-men that he had change in his car (parked within sight of pass-out gate). Needless to say ?19.50 was rattling around in his pocket by the time he reached the vehicle.
The results during the week were horrific. Favourite after favourite was turned over and Dermot Weld had his worst festival for many years. One jockey who took full advantage of his limited opportunities was Wayne Smith. The powerful lightweight booted home three winners for outside stables and in the process won the flat jockey's award, a Waterford Glass trophy and ?2,000.
The bitter taste of defeat for Weld was more than balanced by the Group1 success of Agnetha at Goodwood on Thursday afternoon. Mick Kinane teaming up with his old Rosewell house boss for a memorable victory.
Aidan O'Brien generally gives Galway a wide berth and this year was no exception. He instead concentrated on Goodwood and was rewarded when Rock Of Gibraltar landed his sixth consecutive Group1 race. This victory equalled the haul of the great Mill Reef and the Ballydoyle inmate may yet prove himself to be the greatest racehorse of all-time.
The 2002 fixture list was announced during the week and makes grim reading for anyone working in the industry and trying to maintain a normal family life. The fixture's committee continues to squash meetings into the summer months and with more Sundays and four Saturday evenings, you can see why we all carry pictures of our kids in our walets.
