Galway Festival: Mullins and Meyler clash in pottery showdown

With the Galway Summer Festival starting on Monday, July 28, the two riders took a detour from the track to test their skills in a rather unexpected arena...a local pottery studio! The challenge? To craft their own version of the coveted Tote Plate.

The competition was fierce (and not entirely fair), with Danny edging out Donagh in the final judging — thanks, perhaps, to some questionable tactics.

Filmed against the backdrop of Salthill Promenade, we also see Danny take on hosting duties, putting Donagh in the hot seat to talk about his racing journey, life away from the saddle, and what Galway means to him.

The rivalry didn't stop at the pottery wheel. Danny quizzes Donagh on his Galway successes and finds out some tips and tricks to riding around Galway before Donagh pays off his forfeit with a cold plunge off the iconic diving platform in Galway Bay!

The content forms part of the Tote’s wider celebration of its enduring relationship with Galway Racecourse, with the Tote Plate Day continuing to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Festival week, with exciting promotions including Money back every race as a free bet up to €10 if your horse finishes second, and a guaranteed placepot pool of €50,000 on Plate Day. 

Reflecting on the experience, Danny Mullins said: "This was definitely one of the more unusual rivalries I’ve had with Donagh — but just as competitive! I don’t think he expected me to take the pottery quite so seriously, but a win’s a win. The Tote Plate is a big accolade we all want to win, so we’ll both be back on course aiming for the real thing next week."

Donagh Meyler added: "I should’ve known Danny would find a way to get the upper hand. It was great to be part of this and show a side of racing people don’t always get to see. Galway’s a huge part of the summer for us, and the Tote Plate is a race every jockey wants on their record, bring on next week."