Galway Races 2025

The Galway Races serves up seven days of superb racing action and is a festival of vibrancy, colour and Irish tradition.

The festival will take place from Monday, July 27th until Sunday, August 2nd at Ballybrit Racecourse, Galway County, Ireland.

The Galway Plate on Wednesday, July 29th and Galway Hurdle on Thursday, July 30th are the feature races of the week, while every card is fiercely competitive, with serious betting value presented throughout the festival.

On the jumps, Gordon Elliott completely dominated the week's biggest prizes in 2025, pulling off a historic double by capturing the Galway Plate with Western Fold and the Galway Hurdle with Ndaawi. Young local talent Danny Gilligan gave a masterclass in the Plate, while Jack Kennedy benefited from a dramatic stewards' inquiry reversal to secure the Hurdle. Off the track, the festival was an electric blend of top-tier music, vibrant Ladies' Day fashion, and award-winning marketing success. If you are looking for dramatic finishes and elite stable firepower, that’s where to turn.

The Galway Races is one of the highlights of the year for racegoers. Here are just a few reasons why:

Competitive Racing

With seven days of racing, including top-class action, including the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle, there’s plenty to get stuck into - from seasoned punters to the more casual racegoer, the festival caters for everyone. Check out the Galway betting section to find competitive betting offers and strategies for your favourite leading jockeys, trainers and owners.

A Carnival-like Atmosphere

Galway Races offers up a convivial atmosphere along with high-quality mixed code racing. The festival is often referred to as a 'week-long party'.

Tradition and Heritage

The festival dates back to 1869. Racing fans, families, locals, and visitors return year after year, making it an annual tradition for many that’s passed down through generations.

Fashion and Culture

Ladies' Day at Galway is one of the most recognised fashion events in Ireland, always drawing huge crowds and media attention. Add in live music and local hospitality, and it becomes a major cultural event.

Stunning Setting

Galway city itself adds to the magic of the festival. Known for its vibrant arts scene, pubs, and beautiful beaches, it offers the perfect setting for a summer festival. The whole city gets behind Galway races, with hotels, pubs, and restaurants jam-packed with racegoers.

Here you can enjoy free expert tips, in-depth Galway Races racecards and Galway results on each day of racing. The competitive nature of the races allows for great betting opportunities and you will find the best Galway Races free bets and odds all in one place.

Galway Races FAQs

When is Galway Races?

Galway Races is held every year over seven days in late July and early August. Galway Races 2026 takes place from Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August. Check out the festival schedule page for more information.

What is Galway Races?

Galway Races is one of Ireland’s most famous race meetings. Over €2million in prize money is up for grabs across the seven days. Each day has seven races, with the highlights being the Galway Plate on Wednesday and the Galway Hurdle on Thursday.

Where is Galway Races held?

The festival is held at Galway Racecourse, also known as Ballybrit Racecourse in County Galway, around 4 miles northeast of the city of Galway.

How do I get to Galway Races?

From Dublin Airport there's a direct express bus into the city centre, which takes around 2hrs 30mins. If visiting from the UK, the closest airports are Knock and Shannon. Regular buses will run to the centre of Galway from both airports.

When does Galway Races start?

The first race of the Galway Festival 2026 kicks off at 5.10p.m. on Monday 27 July. The opener is the Galway Bay Hotel & The Galmont Hotel Novice Hurdle.

How many people attend the Galway Races?

The attendance for Galway Races in 2025 was over 126,000 people across the seven days.

What is the dress code for Galway Races?

There is no formal dress code for Galway but most racegoers tend to dress in smart-causal attire with fashion and colour at the heart of the event.

What are the best betting strategies for Galway?

The best Galway betting strategies are as follows: find horses with previous course form, follow trainers who target the festival, including Ado McGuiness and Ross O’Sullivan and look out for Wayne Lordon’s rides as he fired in plenty of winners last year. Finally, don’t forget to snap up free bets to maximise your potential of a return.