Galway boss 'far from disappointed' despite 9.6 per cent drop in festival crowds

Galway manager Michael Moloney insists he is far from disappointed by crowd sizes at this year's summer festival, despite an attendance drop of 9.6 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

BoyleSports had made it a 1-33 chance that Galway would exceed its 2019 festival attendance level of 129,058, but Moloney said he never expected to beat that pre-pandemic figure this year, though pre-sales were said to be "well ahead" of the same point three years ago.

Crowds across the opening six days were down 15,590 compared to 2019, but a final-day attendance of 13,240 (from 9,988 in 2019) meant the overall figure for the week came in at 116,720 - a total drop of 12,338 spectators.

The 2020 festival was held behind closed doors due to Covid-19, while only 1,000 were permitted to attend each day in 2021.

"We never expected to buck the trend," said Moloney. "Sporting events have been down in general since the pandemic and we didn't expect to be any different. Last week if you were to offer me the crowds we've had, I'd have taken that with open arms and be delighted. We're not disappointed – far from it.

Galway chairman Anthony Ryan and manager Michael Moloney welcome back racegoersCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We wanted to do was give people a good time and to create an atmosphere that would make people want to come back to. It's been a great week. People came in their thousands and the improved facilities were well received."

Heavy rain on Friday was cited as a major factor in the day-five crowds taking a hit of 6,337 compared to 2019, while Monday's drop of 5,218 was partly attributed to Galway's county gaelic football team having played their first All-Ireland final since 2001 a day earlier, with homecoming events for the players taking place on Monday evening.

Moloney said: "I think Galway's football and hurling teams played in Croke Park three times during the month of July, and that's expensive business.

"Money is tight, but on the other side of things I think those GAA events helped as they get people back out and used to going to sporting occasions again."

On-course betting turnover levels have yet to be published, but Moloney reported early indications showed trade was similar to the 2019 figure of €6.8 million for the week. The Tote turnover in 2019 came in at €4.2m.

Happy punters celebrate La Hacienda's victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Moloney said: "I've seen draft figures for the bookmakers and it looks to be on a par with their 2019 figures. Even though attendances have been down, spend has been up. The Tote situation looks to be positive."

Leading layer and Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association chairman Ray Mulvaney added: "I have three top pitches here and I'm reasonably happy with the level of business. I think most bookmakers would be, especially when bearing in mind we're in the middle of a cost-of-living issue.

"We're delighted to be back at Galway and the bookmakers got the better of the argument over the week, apart from when some fancied winners went in on Saturday."

Moloney hopes mixed cards, which returned in 2022 after a two-year hiatus, can be retained in future and defended the track's stance on watering after 38 horses were withdrawn due to ground conditions on Sunday.

"We came off a July where we needed to put a considerable amount of water on the track – every bit of it was needed," said Moloney.

"We were forecast 4mm from Friday into Saturday but got 25mm. It is what it is. The last day essentially was run on used ground. People declared on better ground 48 hours earlier and there's nothing you can do to change that."

Now read these . . .

'It was an incredible day' - Liam McKenna revels in his Galway Hurdle heroics

'He could be a Gold Cup horse' - Shark Hanlon eyes Cheltenham bid with Hewick

Catch our in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Classic-winning jockey George Baker, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and much more, it is not to be missed.