Galway racecourse manager Michael Moloney has said “the phones have not stopped ringing” since the track announced last week that it had applied to the Government for permission to host 5,000 people per day for their traditional seven-day festival which kicks off Monday, 26 July.

Moloney told The Irish Field: “This is something we have been working on for a number of weeks. The application has been made to the Department of Agriculture by ourselves directly and also through Horse Racing Ireland.

Speaking last Thursday, Moloney added: “While 5,000 may seem small in comparison to our normal numbers, it still presents some logistical challenges, in terms of lead time, for our many suppliers. We are just three weeks out and, to cater for this number of people, we would need clarity from the Government in the coming days.”

The Curragh welcomed a crowd of 1,000 from the general public for the Irish Derby last month and all tracks have been allowed to host up to 500 people from Tuesday (6 July) onwards. Around 2,500 fans were able to attend each day of the Irish Open at Mount Juliet last weekend, while 8,000 attended Croke Park for a hurling double header on Saturday.

Super St Mark’s

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien had a superb weekend, sending out Group 1 winners in Britain and France.

Most significantly, St Mark’s Basilica took the Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday, producing a fabulous performance to turn over world class rivals in the shape of Addeybb and Mishriff-, and lay claims to being the best horse in Europe now.

It was the son of Siyouni’s third Group 1 win of the season, following his earlier classic double in France, and O’Brien was highly complimentary of his latest star, saying: “Ryan [Moore, rider] was blown away with him today – he couldn’t believe the way that when he asked him, how well he quickened.

“He’s a relaxed traveller but when you really go for him he really turns it on and I think that’s the mark of a really special horse.”

O’Brien then scooped the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud with Broome on Sunday, this time in the hands of Irish champion jockey Colin Keane.

It was a first win at the top level for the son of Australia, who has shown admirable consistency this term. It was a second Group 1 win, and seventh overall, for the rider while O’Brien hit another hallmark as this was his 50th Group 1 win in France.