The Galway Races are hoping to have 5,000 racegoers in attendance for each day of the week-long festival later this summer.
The seven-day meeting runs from July 26 to August 1 and is usually an annual pilgrimage for thousands of punters, but it took place behind closed doors last year due to Covid-19.
However, organisers are hopeful of having 5,000 punters on track for each day this year after 1,000 people attended the Irish Derby at the Curragh last Saturday.
The Galway Races tweeted on Monday: "We've been working with Horse Racing Ireland and the Government to host 5,000 people each day outdoors for our Festival. This has not yet been confirmed, but be assured, we are working away in the background. Stay tuned."
Meanwhile, it was announced today that TG4 will show racing live from Ballybrit on the Friday and Saturday of the meeting.
CEO of Galway Racecourse, Michael Moloney said: "We are delighted to have the team from TG4 broadcast live from Galway Racecourse on both the Friday and Saturday of our Summer Festival this year.
"In the current times, we really miss our loyal supporters here in Ballybrit that come year after year, and bring such magic to our event, so this news that they can get close to the action this Summer is very much welcomed.
"The Galway Races is a multi-generational event and such a huge part of Summer tradition and Irish culture.
"In total, viewers at home throughout Ireland tuning into TG4 will get to see fifteen races live on television, and will feature The Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase, and The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap with a total prize fund in excess of €500,000 over the two days.
"The team at TG4 have always been hugely progressive and are great supporters of Irish racing and our Festival.
"On behalf of our fans and the Galway Race Committee, I would like to thank them for making this happen. We look forward to working with the team in TG4 both in the build up to and during race week."
TG4’s Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha added: "We are delighted to be showing the Galway Races Summer festival. Horse racing became an integral part of the station’s sporting output this year, and we look forward to continuing this with TG4’s free-to-air coverage from Ireland’s largest horse racing meet.
"We are particularly excited to be back in Ballybrit for the first time in 15 years, and to bring all the thrills that comes with this iconic festival to the viewers at home."
