Ballinrobe Racecourse is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a two day meeting on Monday and Tuesday. After a sterling crowd attended the opening meeting of the year, the course commitee will be eagerly anticipating another large attendance for the first two day meeting of the year. This fixture traditionally attracts a big crowd as the holiday season draws closer.
“This meeting is very popular. It attracts a lot of groups of people, many of which travel in buses from several regions. This year we hope will be no exception and already we’re practically booked up as far as the corporate hospitality is concerned, with the Corrib Restaurant booked out for both evenings. This all augurs well for another good meeting,” commented racecourse manager John Flannelly.
Racing gets underway on Monday at 6 pm. The mixed card consists of The FBD Insurance Handicap, The European Breeders’ Fund Median Auction Maiden, The European Breeders’ Fund Fillies Race, The Mulholland Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle, The Tipperary Water Hurdle, The Supermac’s Ballinrobe and Claremorris Hurdle and The ITBA (Western Region ) Mares Flat Race.
Day two is a national hunt meeting and starts at the slightly earlier time of 5.35 pm with The Connaught Telegraph Maiden Hurdle, followed by The European Breeders’ Fund Beginners Novice Hurdle, The Sheridan Electric Castlebar Handicap Hurdle, The European Breeders’ Fund Beginners’ Chase, The Hollymount Nursing Home Handicap Steeplechase, The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Steeplechase, and The Lydon House Catering Flat Race.
“We’ll never take for granted the wonderful and generous sponsors we have behind us in Ballinrobe and once again they came up trumps for the two-day meeting, as they did for the first meeting and always have done.
“We were absolutely delighted with the first meeting. It was possibly the biggest first meeting we had at the track in many years. It was great to see so many people turning out. Everyone enjoyed themselves. And that’s what racing is all about,” said John Flannelly.
It was sparkling sunshine in the lead up to the opening meeting but the weather changed significantly since. However, the course is looking in great condition ahead of Monday and Tuesday.
“We needed all the rain we got in the last few weeks. The ground was very dry but the course is in great shape at the moment. It recovered brilliantly from the first day of racing,” added John.
There is live music on both days at the course, with Safire providing the entertainment on the Monday and Streetwise banging out the tunes on Tuesday, both in the Carra Bar. There are great deals available on group bookings for the Coranna and Corrib Restaurants with the latter offering admission, racecard, two-course meal, and a €5 free bet, all for €30 in bookings of 10 or more people. Normal admission rates remain at €15 for adults, €10 for students and OAPs, with children U-14 free.
Don’t forget to follow the latest news on Ballinrobe Racecourse on www.ballinroberacecourse.ie and on Facebook.com/BallinrobeRaces
Come for the racing, you will stay for the welcome.
