Dermot Weld, leading trainer in Galway for the 29th time in 30 years, albeit on points.

Dermot Weld, leading trainer in Galway for the 29th time in 30 years, albeit on points.

Dermot Weld took the leading trainer award at last week’s Galway Festival for the 29th in the last 30 years despite finishing with just five winners, one behind Tony Martin and three behind Willie Mullins.
Such an anomaly exists because the leading trainer gong at Ballybrit is awarded to the trainer who accumulates the highest number of points throughout the seven days racing.
Five points are awarded for every win, three for second and one for third. Weld, with five wins, nine seconds and five thirds, accumulated 57 points just one ahead of Mullins who in addition to his eight winners recorded five seconds and just one third.
While there is some merit in the points award system, surely the leading trainer award should go to the trainer with the most winners as it does at most major racing festivals.
Meanwhile Fran Berry picked up the leading flat jockey award with four winners while the leading national hunt award went to Ruby Walsh also with four wins.
There can be no doubting the fact that the seven day extravaganza continues to go from strength to strength with increased crowds and betting turnover.
The tote aggregate for instance on Ladies Day last Thursday came in at €1.14 million!