Crowd and betting figures down

The recession continues to bite the racing industry with crowd and betting figures both down on the opening evening of the Galway Festival.

The attendance of 17,570 was down just over 2% on the first day total of 17,961 12 months ago.

However betting figures took a heavier slump with the bookmakers turnover down 12.75% at €1,464,826, compared with €1,678,949. The Tote aggregate of €663,167 was 5.5% lower than the 2010 figure of €702,081.

The ground, officially described as good (good to yielding in places) will be watered again this evening to maintain “safe ground”.

Clerk Of The Course Lorcan Wyer said, “The jumping lads felt it was “perfect” ground, while connections of some of the Flat horses may have felt there was a bit of cut. You are not going to please everyone but our main desire is to produce safe ground. We will put another 4 to 5mm on this evening.”

Alan Magee