What are the official Galway Races times for the 2026 festival?

The times for the 2026 festival vary depending on the day and the race. They range from 14:02 to 20:20. You can check the specific times for each race at galwayraces.com.

Where can I find the latest Galway Races results today?

You can find the latest Galway Races results by visiting galwayraces.com. You can also visit irishracing.com to view them.

When is Ladies’ Day at the Galway Races 2026?

Ladies’ Day at the 2026 Galway Races will be on Thursday 30 July.

How do the 2025 Galway Races dates compare to the 2026 schedule?

They are practically identical! The 2025 Galway Races began on 28 July and ended on 3 August, whilst the 2026 Galway Races will begin on 27 July and end on 2 August.

What are the best Galway Races tips for the Galway Plate?

The best tips for the Galway Plate are the ones we publish here at Bet Brothers Ireland. Don’t miss them!

Can I watch the Galway Races today on TV?

Yes, of course. Once the festival begins, you’ll be able to watch the Galway Races today on TV in Ireland via channels such as RTÉ and TG4.

Who is the most successful trainer in the history of the Galway Races?

Dermot Weld, also known as the ‘King of Ballybrit’ for being the trainer who has won the most races in the history of the Galway Races – over 400 across 29 editions, to be precise.

Is there a specific dress code for the Galway Races 2026?

No, there is no specific dress code for the 2026 Galway Races, unlike at Royal Ascot in England, for example. You can wear whatever you like, but be prepared to see iconic suits, dresses and hats.

What happens on Ladies’ Day at the Galway Races 2026?

The event starts earlier, at 11.15 am. On this day, there are competitions such as the Best Dressed Lady, followed by the highlight of the day: the Galway Hurdle.

Galway Races 2026

Last update at 28 April, 2026Reading time: 5 minutes

Bookmakers for the Galway Races 2026

We compare bookmakers for the Galway Races 2026, including betting options for the remaining October meetings at Ballybrit. Look for competitive race odds, Each-Way markets and useful horse racing features before placing a bet.

Comparison table: the best bookmakers for the 2026 Galway Races

Bookmaker	Betting Strengths	Market Variety	Visit
Read review	Leading provider of live streaming coverage throughout the event and exclusive offers for Ladies Day.	Excellent: Win, Each-Way Forecast and Tricast bets.	Bet now!
Read review	Competitive odds on race results.	Good: Focus on Win and Each-Way markets.	Bet now!
Read review	Enhanced odds and key insights on horses and jockeys.	Good: Essential Win and Each-Way markets.	Bet now!

Galway Races 2026 dates and festival info

The main Galway Summer Festival took place from 27 July to 2 August, but there are still four race days remaining at Ballybrit in 2026. Autumn Racing takes place on 6 October, followed by the three-day October Bank Holiday Festival from 24 to 26 October.

General information for the Galway Races 2026

Organiser	Dates	Venue	Edition
Galway Race Committee	27 Jul-2 Aug, 6 Oct, 24-26 Oct	Ballybrit, Galway, Ireland	157th edition

Key competition format details

The Galway Races Summer Festival runs for seven days and combines Flat and National Hunt racing at Ballybrit. The October programme is different: Autumn Racing on 6 October is a National Hunt meeting, while the October Bank Holiday Festival features National Hunt racing on Saturday and Sunday before a Flat card on Monday.

The youngest and fastest horses compete in flat races, whilst the older, stronger and more skilful ones compete in steeplechase races, all with the same goal: to finish among the top places in each race at Ballybrit Racecourse, after conquering Galway Hill, the fearsome and steep final straight measuring approximately 200 metres, which demands an incredible effort even from the strongest and most resilient of horses.

Betting insights and Galway Races results

Factor	Detail
2026 Galway Plate	King Alexander won for Willie Mullins, ridden by Daniel King.
2026 Galway Hurdle	Putapoundinthejar won for Tony Martin, also ridden by Daniel King.
October Racing	National Hunt dominates 6, 24 and 25 October, with Flat racing on 26 October.

Daniel King became the first jockey in 42 years to complete the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle double in the same week.

Remaining Galway Races dates in 2026

Day	Date	Meeting	First Race
Tuesday	6 October	Autumn Racing - NH	13:45
Saturday	24 October	October Festival - NH	13:50
Sunday	25 October	Race in Pink - NH	12:32
Monday	26 October	Student Raceday - Flat	12:42

Sunday’s Race in Pink supports the National Breast Cancer Research Institute and has raised more than €450,000 since the event launched in 2018. Monday closes the October Festival with Student Raceday and eight Flat races.

Markets and betting odds for the 2026 Galway Races

Irish bookmakers update their odds as declarations and final racecards become available for the Galway October meetings. At Bet Brothers, we monitor the latest prices and betting markets before racing begins, with Win and Each-Way markets usually forming the core of each race.

2026 Galway Plate result

Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Starting Price
King Alexander	Willie Mullins	Daniel King	21.00

2026 Galway Hurdle result

Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Starting Price
Putapoundinthejar	Tony Martin	Daniel King	11.00

Betting advice / strategy and Galway Races tips

Betting on the Galway Races is straightforward, but picking a horse simply because it is favourite is rarely enough.

At Bet Brothers, we’ve put together a series of tips for the Galway Races to help you improve your betting. Follow them to the letter to increase your chances of success when betting on a horse:

Bet on the track specialists: horses that have already raced at Ballybrit have an advantage over those that haven’t.
Assess the track conditions: check the weather; if it has rained heavily, consider betting on strong horses rather than the fastest ones, for example.
Prioritise the horse’s stamina: a horse’s speed isn’t everything; stamina is often more important, especially on the Galway Hill.
The jockey’s strategy is key: a good horse needs a good jockey who knows how to manage its energy during the race.
Follow our latest tips for the Galway Races

FAQ. Frequently asked questions

What are the official Galway Races times for the 2026 festival?
The times for the 2026 festival vary depending on the day and the race. They range from 14:02 to 20:20. You can check the specific times for each race at galwayraces.com.
Where can I find the latest Galway Races results today?
You can find the latest Galway Races results by visiting galwayraces.com. You can also visit irishracing.com to view them.
When is Ladies’ Day at the Galway Races 2026?
Ladies’ Day at the 2026 Galway Races will be on Thursday 30 July.
How do the 2025 Galway Races dates compare to the 2026 schedule?
They are practically identical! The 2025 Galway Races began on 28 July and ended on 3 August, whilst the 2026 Galway Races will begin on 27 July and end on 2 August.
What are the best Galway Races tips for the Galway Plate?
The best tips for the Galway Plate are the ones we publish here at Bet Brothers Ireland. Don’t miss them!
Can I watch the Galway Races today on TV?
Yes, of course. Once the festival begins, you’ll be able to watch the Galway Races today on TV in Ireland via channels such as RTÉ and TG4.
Who is the most successful trainer in the history of the Galway Races?
Dermot Weld, also known as the ‘King of Ballybrit’ for being the trainer who has won the most races in the history of the Galway Races – over 400 across 29 editions, to be precise.
Is there a specific dress code for the Galway Races 2026?
No, there is no specific dress code for the 2026 Galway Races, unlike at Royal Ascot in England, for example. You can wear whatever you like, but be prepared to see iconic suits, dresses and hats.
What happens on Ladies’ Day at the Galway Races 2026?
The event starts earlier, at 11.15 am. On this day, there are competitions such as the Best Dressed Lady, followed by the highlight of the day: the Galway Hurdle.