Happy Bookies

Oncourse bookmakers at Ireland's Galway Race Festival experienced a bumper meet this year after reporting takings of over euros 21 million during the seven days, an increase of nearly 16 per cent from last year. Paddy Power told the Galway Independent that turnover was 'through the roof', while Galway based Mullhollands Bookmakers reported an increase of takings of between 13 and 15 per cent and were reported to be 'very happy' with its takings. "We would expect at least a five per cent increase because of inflation but we secured another ten per cent on top of that," said a spokesperson for the company. The Tote was the only bookmaker to report a loss with a euros 200,000 decrease from the euros 7.7 million taken at last years event. John Moloney, Galway Races Manager, acknowledged that it was only a slight decrease, before going on to say that the overall increase in takings "was not exactly unexpected after watching takings rise all year."