2025 Galway Hurdle: Who Are the Top Contenders This Year?

The Galway Races are just around the corner, with seven days of action in store at the famous Ballybrit course towards the end of July and into August.

As always, the famous Galway Hurdle will be amongst the most eagerly sought-after prizes on offer, with a total prize pool of €270,000 expected this year.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins has a record six wins in the Galway Hurdle, while the likes of Tony Martin (four) and Joseph O'Brien (two) have secured multiple wins since 2014.

We're taking a look at some possible contenders for the 2025 Galway Hurdle, set to be run on Thursday, July 31st.

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Nurburgring

Tudor City is the only horse to have won the Galway Hurdle more than once, scoring in 2019 and 2022 for Tony Martin.

Last year, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Nurburgring was much too strong for the field at Ballybrit, winning by seven-lengths off a mark of 139.

He has raced only over fences and on the Flat since, running a cracker in June at Royal Ascot when second in a 2m4f handicap off 93. Could his trainer be plotting an audacious Galway Hurdle repeat?

Mr Percy

O'Brien's hopes of a third win in the race certainly aren't confined to the reigning champ. Mr Percy, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, is another possible contender from his Piltown base.

He's a dual hurdles winner, scoring in maiden company at Limerick in October and then again at Fairyhouse in Grade 2 novice company in April.

In June, he scored over 1m6f on the Flat at the Curragh off a mark of 87. Royal Ascot was mooted, though O'Brien suggested it would come too soon as he said: "We could look at the Galway Hurdle and come back here in the autumn for the Irish Cesarewitch”.

Gaucher

One race that has served as a guide for Galway Hurdle success is the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary, a Grade 3 contest run in July. Three Grimes Hurdle winners since 2009 have also won the Galway Hurdle.

Jesse Evans recently won that race for Noel Meade, though the nine-year-old isn't seemingly being aimed at the Galway Hurdle with owner Jack Singleton instead suggesting a two-miles-and-two-furlongs handicap over fences on the Sunday of the Galway Races is the preferred target.

Behind in fourth spot at Tipperary for Mullins and Paul Townend was Gaucher. He made plenty of the running in that race and was overrun late on, losing third spot in the final strides. He has plenty of hurdling experience, with three wins, and his proven stamina could be an asset at Ballybrit.