Large Attendance on opening day of Galway Galway Races is very important for the horse racing industry in Ireland and seldom disappoints - returning impressive figures year after year. Yesterday was no exception when the opening day of the seven-day Festival attracted a bumper crowd of 18,938. The attendance was up 5% on 2013 when the attendance was 17,989. The Tote turnover was also well ahead of the previous year with €738,940 bet with the state owned operator compared to €608,915 in 2013. A large Pick 6 Rollover was a major contributory factor in the Tote's increased numbers. The on-course bookmakers have been having a torrid time in recent years with their turnover in free fall at all racecourses but recent signs of a bottoming out, as indicated in recent HRI published half-year figures, were mirrored yesterday when they slightly out performed 2013 totals. The bookmaker turnover was €1,241,019 compared to a 2013 figure of €1,233,743.
