In front of a roaring Ballybrit crowd on Wednesday, Western Fold stormed home to land the 2025 Tote Galway Plate for trainer Gordon Elliott and rising star jockey Danny Gilligan, winning by an emphatic four and a half lengths at odds of 11/1.
For Elliott, the victory marked a record-equalling fifth win in the Plate over the past decade—a remarkable achievement that cements his place among the great modern trainers at Galway. His previous successes in the race include Lord Scoundrel (2016 ), Clarcam (2018 ), Borice (2019 ), and Ash Tree Meadow (2023 )—the latter also partnered by Gilligan.
Elliott, who saddled seven runners in this year’s edition, watched Western Fold travel with authority throughout, before making a decisive move after the second-last fence to sweep past long-time leader Amirite and hold off a late challenge from Jesse Evans.
Speaking after the race, Elliott described the performance as “poetry in motion” and paid emotional tribute to his father, who is currently in hospital. “That one was for him,” Elliott said, visibly moved.
The day also marked a second Plate win for 19-year-old Gilligan, a Galway native, who has now won or placed in the race three years running. “There’s nothing like winning at home,” he said, “especially in these colours and for Gordon.”
Lynda Reilly, General Manager at Tote Ireland, offered congratulations following the win:
“What a spectacular performance from Western Fold, and a huge well done to Gordon and Danny from all of us at the Tote. Their consistency and class at Ballybrit is something very special. This is what the Galway Plate is all about.”
