The heavy and intermittent showers that dominated the earlier part of the afternoon did not cool the passions of an estimated 6,500 racing fans in Co Waterford yesterday.
The four-day August Racing Festival in Tramore promises to be the biggest to date, with up to 25,000 visitors expected between yesterday and Sunday.
The Welcome to Tramore August Festival Maiden Hurdle started proceedings at 5.20pm.
The first of seven races, the atmosphere emanating from the racecourse was, putting it mildly, optimistic. At least that proved correct for the punters who backed Haroni.
"Thank God, I didn't throw my docket away," said one winner.
Yesterday's theme was plainly entitled Hector, Hurlers and Horses.
Waterfordians, wearing their hearts on their home-coloured sleeves, cheered as the erstwhile TV presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin charmed thousands during the Best Dressed Blue and White competitions.
And the Waterford senior hurling Team turned out in numbers too, following a defeat against Cork in the semi-final of the All Ireland Hurling Championship at Croke Park 11 days previously by the narrowest of margins. The craic continued into the evening with local swing ensemble, Brass & Co, keeping things moving along smoothly.
Surf meets Turf, with Beat 102-103 playing chart hits and classics, is today's theme.
Tomorrow's racing will be accompanied by a fashion evening, while Sunday afternoon, starting at the earlier time of 2.35pm, is devoted to families.
An estimated €3 million is expected to be an addition to what has already been hailed by the mayor, Cllr Anne Marie Power, as a "very busy tourism season for Tramore".
Welcoming the start of the festival, Ms Power added: "The race festival will inject millions of euro into the local economy, as restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, bars, taxis and shops all enjoy the spin-offs from the 28 races."
