Galway Races 2026: Dates, Schedule and Key Races
The seven-day meeting combines Flat and National Hunt racing, with evening cards early in the week and afternoon racing from Thursday onwards.
The two headline events are the Tote Galway Plate at 7.15pm on Wednesday 29 July and the Guinness Galway Hurdle at 4.30pm on Thursday 30 July. Thursday is also the festival’s famous Ladies Day.
The dates and first-race times have been confirmed by the official Galway Races website, although individual race times can still be adjusted before the meeting.
Galway Races 2026 at a glance
- Dates: Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August 2026
- Venue: Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit, Galway
- Duration: Seven days
- Racing: Flat and National Hunt
- Main race: Tote Galway Plate
- Ladies Day: Thursday 30 July
- Family Day: Sunday 2 August
Full Galway Races 2026 schedule
Monday 27 July: Opening Night
The festival begins with a seven-race evening card, starting at 5.10pm and finishing at 8.20pm.
Other races on the card include the Galmont Hotel and Galway Bay Novice Hurdle, the EASYFIX Iggy Daly Handicap Hurdle and the Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap.
Opening Night tends to have a more relaxed, local feel than the busier Wednesday and Thursday cards, making it a good option for anyone visiting Ballybrit for the first time.
Tuesday 28 July: Tribes Tuesday
Tuesday has been relaunched as Tribes Tuesday, with local clubs, teams and communities invited to take part in events around the racecourse.
Racing begins earlier than originally advertised, with the first contest now scheduled for 4.40pm. There are eight races, including the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Steeplechase at 5.45pm.
The main event is the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap at 6.45pm. This is a highly competitive one-mile Flat handicap in which the draw, track position and ability to handle Galway’s sharp turns can all prove decisive.
Wednesday 29 July: Galway Plate Day
Wednesday is the biggest racing day of the festival. The first race takes place at 5.05pm, with the seven-race card building towards the Tote Galway Plate.
What time is the Galway Plate 2026?
First held in 1869, the Galway Plate is a prestigious handicap chase run over approximately two miles and six-and-a-half furlongs. Its demanding course, 14 fences and uphill finish make it a serious test of jumping, balance and stamina.
The race was part of the original meeting staged at Ballybrit on 17 August 1869. Absentee won the first running, while Tipperary Boy remains the only three-time winner. The official history of the Galway Races records an attendance of approximately 40,000 for that inaugural two-day meeting.
The supporting card includes three hurdle races, a qualified riders’ maiden and two Flat handicaps. The last race is scheduled for 8.20pm.
Thursday 30 July: Ladies Day and Galway Hurdle
Thursday combines one of the strongest racing cards of the week with the festival’s biggest fashion event.
Turnstiles open at 11.15am and the first race is at 2.10pm. The Ladies Day competition offers a €10,000 prize, while the action on the track is headed by the Guinness Galway Hurdle.
What time is the Galway Hurdle 2026?
Run over approximately two miles, it is one of Ireland’s leading summer handicap hurdles. The large field, quick early pace and demanding uphill finish mean that a horse needs both tactical speed and enough stamina to see out the race.
Thursday’s programme also includes the Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes at 3.20pm, the Guinness Novice Hurdle at 5.05pm and a concluding Flat race at 6.12pm. The full Ladies Day racecard and ticket information are already available from Galway Racecourse.
Friday 31 July: Friday’s Most Stylish
The Bank Holiday weekend begins with another eight-race evening card. Racing starts at 5.00pm and continues until 8.40pm.
The main Flat contest is the Guinness Handicap at 6.35pm, while the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase at 6.00pm provides the principal jumping action.
Away from the racing, Athlone Towncentre’s Friday’s Most Stylish competition gives racegoers a second major fashion event following Thursday’s Ladies Day.
Saturday 1 August: The Weekender
Saturday’s afternoon programme begins at 2.02pm, with eight races scheduled through to 6.05pm.
The day’s feature is the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle at 3.12pm. The card begins with three hurdle races before moving into a series of Flat contests, including the Ardilaun Hotel Handicap and the McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap.
Saturday traditionally draws a lively Bank Holiday crowd but offers a slightly more relaxed racing programme than the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle days.
Sunday 2 August: Mad Hatter’s Family Fun Day
The festival concludes with Mad Hatter’s Family Fun Day on Sunday. Turnstiles open at 11.30am, with the first race at 1.50pm and the last at 5.30pm.
The feature race is the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap at 4.00pm, one of the principal Flat handicaps of the week.
Sunday is aimed particularly at families, with entertainment and activities taking place alongside the racing. Children aged 17 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a parent.
Which is the best day to attend the Galway Races?
That depends on what you want from the festival:
Galway Races 2026 ticket prices
Adult general admission prices vary by day. Buying in advance saves €5 compared with paying at the gate.
Children aged 17 and under can enter free of charge when accompanied by a parent. A Sunday family ticket costs €42.50 in advance or €50 on the day.
Reserved grandstand seating, Parade Ring Lounge access and hospitality packages are also available. Tickets can be purchased through the official Galway Races ticket portal.
Where to watch the Galway Races 2026
RTÉ is set to cover the main early-week cards, including Galway Plate Day, while TG4 coverage is listed for Friday and Saturday. Exact broadcast times should be checked closer to the festival, as they may not include every race.
What matters when betting at Galway?
Galway is not a straightforward track. It is tight, undulating and finishes with a stiff uphill climb, so previous course form can carry more weight here than at many other Irish meetings.
For Flat races, the draw and early position can be particularly important. Horses trapped wide may be forced to cover extra ground around the turns, while those racing prominently can gain a tactical advantage.
In the jumping races, balance and accurate jumping matter just as much as stamina. This is especially true in the Galway Plate, where a mistake or poor position can quickly end a horse’s chance.
Punters should pay close attention to:
- Previous form at Galway.
- The final going description.
- Draw and likely early position in Flat races.
- Horses returning quickly after a recent run.
- Trainers with a strong festival record.
- Each-way terms in the largest handicaps.
The final fields, jockey bookings and confirmed going will be available closer to each race day.
Galway Races 2026 FAQs
When are the Galway Races 2026?
The Galway Races Summer Festival runs from Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August 2026.
Where are the Galway Races held?
The festival takes place at Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit, on the eastern side of Galway city.
What date is the Galway Plate?
The Tote Galway Plate takes place on Wednesday 29 July at 7.15pm.
When is Ladies Day at the Galway Races?
Ladies Day is Thursday 30 July 2026, the same day as the Guinness Galway Hurdle.
What time is the Galway Hurdle?
The Guinness Galway Hurdle is scheduled for 4.30pm on Thursday 30 July.
Are children admitted free?
Yes. Children aged 17 and under can enter free when accompanied by a parent.
Does Galway have Flat and jumps racing?
Yes. The seven-day festival includes Flat racing, hurdles and steeplechases.
