This week on The Live Wire, Ronan Lardner is asking you to Hold Your Horses for a galloping great competition with Galway Races, we've got a pair of tickets to a day of your choice, at this years Summer Racing Festival to give away each day. Tune in from 12pm each day for you chance to win.
The Galway Races continues to be a multigenerational celebration, with something for everyone to enjoy!
Monday traditionally welcomes locals for the highly anticipated opening evening, while Wednesday features the exhilarating Galway Plate, boasting a prize fund of €270,000. Thursday’s Ladies Day takes centre stage, with new sponsor Ella & Jo elevating the glamour and fashion of the Best Dressed Competition and Friday sees Athlone Towncentre’s Friday’s Most Stylish competition add flair to the festivities. Sunday’s Mad Hatters Family Fun Day sponsored by Ireland West Airport rounds out the week with joy and entertainment for all ages.
With deep-rooted traditions and a true spirit of celebration, the Galway Races is once again set to deliver an unforgettable Summer Festival, expecting crowds of over 130,000 attendees across the week! Running from Monday, 28th July to Sunday, 3rd August. Don’t just hear about it. Experience it. Buy your tickets now at www.galwayraces.com or call us on (091) 700100
See you in Ballybrit!
Facts and Figures about the Galway Races
53 Races 800 Horses
130,000 attendees expected
160 Solar Pannels
2700 Native Irish Trees
0% Waste to Landfill
150 Hours of Grass Cutting
1,600 Members of Staff
10 Full Time Members of Staff
50 Live Music Acts
171,000 Pints Pulled
€2.17 million in prize money
5 Tonnes of Irish Beef
5,000+ Bottles of Wine & Champagne
57 Bars & Restaurants
1,000’s of Reunions
70,000 Meals Served
Key sponsorship Milestones.
The year we celebrate key sponsorship milestones, including Diageo’s 60th year of partnership with the Galway Races, Tote’s 15th year sponsoring the historic Galway Plate, and Chanelle Pharma’s 40th year supporting the Leading Trainer Award.
The Connacht Hotel.
The Connacht Hotel Extends Sponsorship of Monday’s Feature Race at the Galway Races
The Galway Races is delighted to announce that The Connacht Hotel has signed a new three-year agreement to continue its sponsorship of the Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap, the feature race on the opening day of Race Week.
This year marks 16 consecutive years of support from The Connacht Hotel, making them one of the event’s long standing partners.
New Ladies Day Sponsor – Ella & Jo.
The Galway Races is thrilled to unveil a stylish new partnership with award-winning Irish skincare brand Ella & Jo, who are set to bring even more sparkle to Ladies Day as title sponsor for the next three years. Mark your calendars - this year’s Ladies Day takes place on Thursday, 31st July, and promises to be the most exciting yet, attracting over 25,000 fashion-forward racegoers to Ballybrit Racecourse.
As part of this exciting three-year partnership, Ella & Jo will enhance and support a reimagined Ladies Day experience, championing style, individuality, and Irish creativity. The day will feature one of Ireland’s most anticipated fashion contests, with a standout €10,000 cash prize for the Best Dressed Lady and €3,000 for the Best Hat.
Founded in 2017 by skin therapist Niamh Ryan and makeup artist Charlene Flanagan, Ella & Jo has taken the beauty world by storm with their bold, effective, and science-backed skincare solutions - now found in one in every five homes across the country. With accolades including the CEW Beauty Award for Best New Brand Prestige in 2024 and Best Beauty Brand in 2025 to name a few, Ella & Jo’s reach now spans over 50 countries worldwide.
Beyond the fashion and flair, the week-long Summer Racing Festival is a must-visit for anyone looking to soak up the best of thrilling horse racing, high fashion, live music, and that unbeatable Galway buzz!
Racegoers can look forward to exclusive Ella & Jo experiences on the day, including a Mist Bar featuring their cult-favourite Hyaluronic Skin Mist, along with surprise giveaways that will leave everyone glowing.
Whether you’re coming for the glamour, the fun, or the thrill of the track, Ladies Day 2025 promises to be a celebration of beauty, boldness, and brilliance you won’t want to miss!
Galway Races announces Lisa McGowan as Guest Judge for Ladies Day 2025
The Galway Races are delighted to announce that leading fashion influencer and entrepreneur Lisa McGowan, founder of the hugely successful Lisa & Co, Lisa & Co Cosmetics, and Lisa’s Lust List, will be the Guest Judge for the Ladies Day Best Dressed Competition 2025. This exciting event takes place on Thursday, 31st July, as part of the iconic Galway Races’ seven-day Summer Festival.
Now in its 156th year, the Galway Races Summer Festival continues to blend the best of Irish racing, entertainment, and fashion. The Ladies Day Best Dressed Competition, sponsored this year by the multi-award-winning Irish skincare brand Ella & Jo, is always a show-stopping highlight of the week, where racing excellence meets high style, and fashion lovers from across the country turn out in force.
Lisa McGowan is no stranger to Galway’s style scene, having won the prestigious Ladies Day Competition in 2016. Originally from Tullamore, since her win she has built one of Ireland’s most trusted and successful platforms, celebrated for her honest reviews, empowering style advice, and keen eye for quality and individuality.
With her own thriving fashion and cosmetic brands, and over 200,000 loyal followers, Lisa is the perfect choice to take on this exciting role.
Lisa will be joining Ladies Day Head Judge Mandy Maher on the day. Mandy enters her 4th year as Head Judge.
This year’s Ladies Day promises to be one of the most glamorous and competitive yet, as racegoers embrace the opportunity to celebrate personal style, confidence, and creativity in the heart of Ballybrit. Ladies Day is not to be missed.
Mad Hatters Family Fun Day
Galway Races Announces Laura Broderick as Guest Judge for 2025 Mad Hatters Competition.
The Galway Races is delighted to announce that Laura Broderick will be the Guest Judge for this year’s Mad Hatters Competition. Taking place on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, Mad Hatters Family Fun Day is once again proudly sponsored by Ireland West Airport, a long-time supporter of this incredible Family Day for nearly 20 years.
Now a much-anticipated tradition, Mad Hatters Family Fun Day has become a highlight of the summer calendar for families across the West of Ireland, blending creativity, fun, and thrilling racing into one unforgettable day.
This year’s theme? Get the whole family involved and hand-make your very own hat for the races! We’re looking for hats that are creative, original, and sustainable – so start gathering your recycled materials and let your imaginations run wild!
With an incredible line-up of prizes in store for 2025, the competition is sure to be fierce:
1st Prize: A return trip for 2 adults and 2 children to Barcelona Girona, in partnership with KelAir Campotel and Ryanair, including 7 nights’ accommodation in a luxury mobile home in June 2026.
2nd Prize: Return flights for 2 adults and 2 children to Milan Bergamo, plus tickets to Gardaland at Lake Garda.
3rd Prize: Return flights for 2 adults and 2 children to London Heathrow with Aer Lingus, including tickets to LEGOLAND.
Adult Prize: A winter sun break for 2 adults with return flights to Malaga with Ryanair, including free parking at Ireland West Airport, complimentary Executive Lounge access, and a €50 ShopWest voucher.
There’s something for everyone at Mad Hatters Family Fun Day, with eight exhilarating races, including the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap.
Whether you’re there to compete, support the creativity, or simply soak in the joyful atmosphere, Mad Hatters Family Fun Day promises exciting racing, fun, laughter, and colour for all the family.
