Up to 1,600 people converged on Ballinrobe Racecourse on Monday last to attend the last race day of the season at what has become a hugely attractive venue.
General manager John Flannelly confirmed that the racing season was extremely good this year with race-goers able to enjoy spectacular performances from top horses and jockeys supplied by some of the country’s leading trainers, including JP McManus and Charlie Swan.
A new track extension of eight acres of new ground to add to the existing 12 acres is currently under way at the track and will provide extra room for horses in next year’s race season. At the Monday meeting, on what turned out to be a beautiful, dry, day, sponsors of Ballinrobe Racecourse also got to enjoy the classy new Corona Restaurant just opened in the complex, adding to the offering of the Corrib Restaurant and the Cara bar.
“We had about 1,600 here on Monday with punters travelling from Mayo, Galway, and further afield from Kildare and beyond,” Mr Flannery told the Mayo Advertiser this week, adding that JP McManus fielded nine horses on the day with Ruby Walsh and Paul Carberry on horseback.
“The whole season went very well for us this year,” he said. “Everything was up, attendance and betting, all the big name trainers and jockeys like it here, and the new facilities went down a treat. We also have a new entrance hall and offices and the new Corrib 160-seater restaurant and the massive pavillion at the back of the viewing stand now make it very comfortable for people to watch races or enjoy a pint.”
Next year’s racing season will open in April 2011 when the newly extended grounds are sure to attract bigger and better crowds than ever. In the meantime a number of different events including the Connacht sheep shearing championships 2011 and a Ballinrobe music festival are currently being planned on the grounds
