Ballinrobe Racecourse announced today that two high-value races will be staged on the new feature McHale Raceday, on May 27th – the McHale Mayo National and the McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle. Each race has a prize-fund of €30,000, which will make them the most valuable races ever staged at Ballinrobe.
New sponsor McHale, a Ballinrobe-based company established over 30 years ago, will sponsor six races on the day. The family-run business produces a range of specialist farm machinery focusing on balers and bale wrappers and is a major employer in the Ballinrobe area. Manufacturing takes place at two purpose-built factories in Ballinrobe and Hungary.
Ballinrobe will officially launch their racing season at a reception at the racecourse on Friday March 28th.
John Flannelly, Manager of Ballinrobe Racecoursesaid: “We are delighted to be launching our programme for the 2014 season here at Ballinrobe Racecourse on Friday. For a number of years now we have invested heavily in upgrading our facilities and we are now concentrating on upgrading the type of races run here. We are particularly pleased to have McHale come on board this year to sponsor our feature day on May 27th. We are staging for the first time the McHale Mayo National and the McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle each with a prize-fund of €30,000. We are indebted to the continued support of all our sponsors and look forward to an exciting season ahead.”
Padraic McHale, Managing Director of McHale commented:“We are very happy to sponsor the Raceday on the 27th of May. Over the last 15 years since we opened the factory in Ballinrobe, we have watched as the Racecourse has developed into a top-class facility. The Racecourse Committee and Management deserve the height of praise for developing the Racecourse into the superb venue it is today. I hope the weather is fine on the 27th of May and everyone has a great day out and a few good winners at what is a fantastic location.”
The season launch marks the start of nine meetings, the first of which takes place on April 22nd – an all-National Hunt card featuring the P&D Lydon Handicap Chase. This is the first meeting of 2014 at any of the West of Ireland racetracks.
Ladies Day, which is traditionally one of the busiest race-meetings of the year, takes place on June 24th with RTE Racing Fashion Presenter, Marietta Doran as Judge. There will be a cash prize of €1000 for the winner and nine runner-up prizes to the value of €130.
Ballinrobe’s annual Family Day is scheduled for the evening of July 22nd, the second of a two-day card, with a wide range of family activities and entertainment planned.
The mixed card on August 26th, which features the EPS Pumps Handicap Hurdle worth €23,000, also incorporates a Best Dressed Couple competition, sponsored by Breaffy House Resort & Spa.