IN spite of the fact that Irish racecourses are facing enormous pressures, racing behind closed doors and with no immediate prospect of welcoming back paying customers, many are still looking for ways to help others. Galway is a case in point.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Galway is continuing with its efforts to highlight this fact and to raise much-needed funds to assist the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. This weekend Galway wraps up its racing programme for 2020 with a three-day meeting. It starts today and runs through to bank holiday Monday, October 27th.

Tomorrow, Sunday is a fundraising day in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, and this ‘Race in Pink’ day is a pivotal one for gathering support. This is the third year that Galway has supported this hugely important research work. Over the past two years, with the public’s support, the event has raised over €225,000 for the charity.

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute is an Irish charity, led by Professor Michael Kerin who is based at the Lambe Institute in the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway. This year the event is very different, with no members of the public in attendance at the Ballybrit venue, but you can still lend your much-needed support by buying a ticket to win a brand new BMW car. Tickets cost just €20 and to get one you simply visit www.winabmw.ie. You will need to do so now as the winning ticket will be drawn on Sunday.

Speaking about the upcoming ‘Race in Pink’ fundraiser Professor Kerin said: “The National Breast Cancer Research Institute is very grateful to the Galway Race Committee for helping us in our efforts to improve diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Based at the purpose-built Lambe Institute for Translational Research on the grounds of Galway University Hospital, we are in an ideal position to make important discoveries and make changes that have real implications for breast cancer patients.

“Our research is relevant to everyone and focuses on such diverse areas as genetics, tumour markers, novel therapies, better diagnostics and reconstruction. Thank you to every race sponsor for supporting us and to all the hundreds of people that have bought tickets for the car. We greatly appreciate your support at this time”.

The jockeys are also getting involved and thanks to the generous sponsorship from valet Paul Fox, all riders will wear pink jodhpurs for a race to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Well done also to the Galway team under manager Michael Moloney for a wonderful initiative on Monday. They have named the seventh race on the card as The Claddagh Heroes, Patrick and Morgan Oliver Handicap. They became household names when their efforts saved the lives of two local women.

Sinéad Cassidy, Galway’s sales and marketing manager, explains. “With so many people, both in our health system and community, going above and beyond to help others right now during these challenging times, Galway Racecourse has taken the opportunity to dedicate a race on Monday to two local heroes, father and son Patrick and Morgan Oliver from Galway City. They are the heroes who saved two paddle-boarders recently, and only a few weeks back rescued a man on the River Corrib.

“When we can safely welcome racegoers back to Ballybrit, the team in Galway look forward to celebrating all that is great about our country and community, and we will extend a special welcome to Patrick and Morgan.”