TWO training parishioners were in the winners’ enclosure on the opening day of the Galway Festival, namely Richard O’Brien and Charles Byrnes of Ballingarry.
O’Brien saddled Feud (16/5) to win the first race of the Festival, a Novice Hurdle of €21,000.
The winner was given a confident ride by Danny Mullins.
He is owned by the Lough Hyne Partnership.
O’Brien told irishracing.com: “I was saying to Danny afterwards that it’s quite intriguing going forward as to what way he can go because that was quite impressive.”
Courtesy of 11/8f, Delta Force – given a fine ride by Ray Barron of Athlacca – won the concluding Flat Race of €17,000 for Byrnes.
The trainer said: “He gave him a good ride. He was out on the better ground, the winners are coming out there. He was a bit far back but they bunched up then and he was okay.”
Delta Force is owned by the trainer’s son Cathal.
The Festival continues through to Sunday, with the Galway Hurdle of €300,000 on Thursday.
