Galway Races showcased incredible performances on Tuesday evening, with unexpected winners and thrilling finishes that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
The Galway Races on Tuesday evening, July 28, 2026, delivered a night of exhilarating performances and unexpected victories. Under the lights at Ballybrit, a crowd of 13,059 witnessed thrilling races that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
From long-shot winners to dominant performances, the evening was filled with memorable moments that highlighted the excitement and unpredictability of horse racing.
Orandi Stuns in Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap
The evening’s action kicked off with a surprising victory in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap.
Orandi an eight-year-old son of Morandi, defied the odds as a 16/1 outsider to claim the title. Ridden by Robbie Colgan Orandi edged out the heavily favored Pierre Royal (7/2), trained by Ado McGuinness, by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
The victory was particularly sweet for trainer Tony Martin who has enjoyed considerable success at Galway Races. Orandi’s performance was a marked improvement from last season, where he finished third in the same contest. Completing the top three was Jagged Edge (15/2), trained by Stephen Thorne and ridden by Jack Kearney, who finished a neck behind Pierre Royal.
Lizzie Twigg Shines in Listed Novice Hurdle
One of the standout performances of the night came from Lizzie Twigg who secured a dominant victory in the Listed Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle. The five-year-old, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, carried Elliott’s own colors to a two-and-a-half-length win over Fastnet Crystal (4/1). Another Elliott-trained runner, Porcupine Bank (9/2), finished third, showcasing the trainer’s strong presence in the race.
Lizzie Twigg’s victory was her third consecutive win over obstacles, solidifying her as a rising star in the hurdling circuit. The performance was a testament to the horse’s consistency and the strategic prowess of her connections.
Frankie John Triumphs in Beginners’ Chase
Frankie John a winner of a bumper at Galway last summer, returned to Ballybrit with a commanding performance in the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase. The six-year-old grey son of Walk In The Park, trained by Denis Hogan and ridden by Dan King, tracked the race leader Eclipse Chaser (28/1) before making a decisive move on the stands’ side.
Frankie John’s victory was hard-fought, as he held off challenges from Bowensonfire (9/2) and My Great Mate (7/1) to secure the win. The race favorite, Love Me Tender (6/4f), finished fourth, adding to the evening’s surprises.
Samnina Breaks Maiden in Irish EBF Maiden
In a thrilling finish to the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF MaidenSamnina (4/1) broke her maiden status with a impressive performance. Trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Shane Foley, the juvenile Sea The Moon filly held off joint-favorite Madam Secretary (3/1jf) by three-quarters-of-a-length. Silver Kiss (9/2), trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Chris Hayes, finished third.
Samnina’s victory was a notable improvement from her previous outing at The Curragh, where she finished fourth at odds of 50/1. The performance highlighted her potential as a future star in the racing world.
McGuinness Dominates in Handicap
Ado McGuinness showcased his training prowess with a remarkable 1-2-4 finish in The Caulfield Industrial Handicap. The McGuinness team was led by Eddie G (7/2 favorite), who claimed the win under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. Go Athletico (15/2), ridden by Ronan Whelan, finished second, while Alfred Tennyson (18/1), trained by Denis Hogan and ridden by Joey Sheridan, took third place.
The evening’s successes extended to other notable performances, including Tell Us This‘s victory in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase and Lady Arwen‘s win in The Caulfield Industrial Handicap. These victories added to the night’s excitement and showcased the depth of talent on display at Galway Races.
