At the Ballinrobe Racecourse Season launch for 2015 pictured were Main Sponsors , Donal Vaughan of Vaughan Shoes and Paul McHale of McHale with Racecourse Manager John Flannelly.
Pic:Trish Forde.
Ballinrobe Racecourse launched their 2015 season at the racetrack today, with nine race meetings scheduled and total prize-money of over €800,000 on offer. The fixtures will comprise seven national hunt meetings and two
Sponsors McHale , with Race Committee members:Left to right: Racecourse MAnager John Flannelly, Paul McHale(McHale), Race Committee Chairman John Staunton, Martina and Padraic McHale (McHale) adn RAce Committee PRO Ger Geraghty.
Pic:Trish Forde.
flat meetings including ten feature races, each with prize-money in excess of €20,000.
Ballinrobe’s season runs from May 5th through to September 22nd and over 90% of the races are now sponsored. One of the highlights of the season is the McHale Raceday, with two feature races sponsored by local specialist farm machinery company, McHale. First staged last year, the McHale Mayo National and the McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle are each worth €30,000, making them the most valuable races ever at Ballinrobe.
Sponsors Ailish and Donal Vaughan of Vaughan Shoes , Ballinrobe , Claremorris and Castlebar, with Race Committee Chairman John Staunton and TV Personality and Ladies DAy Judge Marietta Doran.
Pic:Trish FOrde.
One of the most popular fixtures at Ballinrobe is the annual ladies day, which takes place on June 23rd, sponsored by Vaughan Shoes. With shops in Ballinrobe, Claremorris and Castlebar, Vaughan Shoes, one of the leading shoe store chains in the west of Ireland will sponsor all seven races on the day in addition to the ladies day prizes. Judged by Marietta Doran, the winner will receive a cash prize of €1,500 with nine runners-up prizes worth €130.
The Tote Raceday on July 20th will also include a fashion element with a number of live fashion shows throughout the day hosted by Catwalk Model Agency in the run up to the Galway racing festival. There will also be a best hat competition sponsored by Caithriona King Milliner. The competition will be judged by Grainne McMahon, fashion journalist and blogger and the winner will win a hat designed by Caithriona King to the value of €300.
Another busy day in Ballinrobe’s calendar is the family day on July 21st, which will include a wide range of children’s activities. A GoRacing Kids’ Club day will be held in advance of the meeting with local national schools taking part.
Left to right:Gerry Donnelly(Treasurer), Ger Geraghty(P.R.O.), Russell Ferris(At the Races), Sean O’Connell(Race Committee), Racecourse Manager John Flannelly, John Staunton (Chairman).
Pic:TrishForde.
John Flannelly, Manager of Ballinrobe Racecourse said: “We are delighted to launch our programme for the 2015 season at Ballinrobe Racecourse today. We have nine exciting fixtures ahead with eight evening meetings and finishing on September 22nd with a day meeting. We fully expect to continue to grow our attendances and we are very appreciative of the continued support of all our sponsors and look forward to a fantastic season ahead.”
Photos from the launch will be available from Trish Forde: trishforde@eircom.net
