Situated just 2km from Ballinrobe town in the heartland of County Mayo, the Ballinrobe track is set in the scenic area surrounding Lough Carra and is the ideal setting for racing on a relaxed summers evening. An easy-going, patron friendly atmosphere is a hallmark of this countryside course.
Ballinrobe itself has played host to racing since 1773 and has been located at the current track since its purchase in 1921. Some notable horses have won their maiden’s at Ballinrobe, including two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup runner up and Stayers hurdle winner, Dorans Pride, who won his first race here in 1993 before going on to amass over €1m in prize money in his career.
Situated 50km north of Galway and 28km south of Castlebar, it is the ideal stop for a fun filled evening in the north-west of Ireland.
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Ballinrobe Racecourse Guide
Ballinrobe racecourse
The Course
Like many of the courses across Ireland, Ballinrobe plays host to both jumping and flat racing. It’s a venue with a slightly elevated right-handed oval measuring about one mile and one furlong. The finishing straight is just over a furlong and is on a slight downhill run from about two and a half furlongs out, meaning that staying the trip is not always a big problem at the track. Hurdles racing takes place on the flat course while the chase course features some of the easiest obstacles in Ireland.
The course is known for its extremely competitive flat cards, which attract a lot of top handicappers to the venue given its easy going layout. Things here are more set up for speedy animals rather than those with an abundance of stamina. Ballinrobe plays host not only to racing but to many agricultural shows throughout the summer too. The Connaught Spring Show along with the Ballinrobe Feis and Ballinrobe Agricultural show are all great evenings to attend on the course over the summer.
TRACK EXTENSION PROVING POPULAR
Ballinrobe’s decision to install a track extension, running outside the old track down the back straight, has proved a popular move. Although there doesn’t seem to be much between them at first glance, turning into the ‘old’ straight has long been an issue for horses. It’s not unusual to see those swung out wide on the sharp home turn concede up to five or six lengths.
Almost all jockeys seem to find this turn tough but not the bend taking you from the new extension back to the original circuit. By comparison, this turn is far easier to handle and helps make Ballinrobe a little more suited towards galloping types and a little fairer test overall.
Major Meetings at Ballinrobe
Mostly used as a summer track, Ballinrobe plays host to 8 meetings between May and September, most notable of which is their two-day July meeting containing the ultra competitive Tote Handicap.
Dining and Hospitality
Ballinrobe provides perfect facilities for both large and small group corporate facilities. There is a restaurant located above the weigh room, which is great value for money. In the past, the hospitality package has included admission to racecourse, free car parking, a complimentary race card, a four-course gourmet meal, a reserved table for the day, tote betting facilities, and strict security and privacy.
There is another hospitality option for smaller groups of 10 or more, which in the past has included admission, a race card, a free bet, and a two-course meal in the self-service restaurant. For non-hospitality patrons, there are numerous food and drink outlets situated across the course on any given race day.