THE real beating heart of Irish racing, and a shining light on the Irish racecourse scene. These were just two of the compliments paid to Ballinrobe racecourse on Thursday night by Horse Racing Ireland’s chief executive Brian Kavanagh.

A large crowd gathered at the Co Mayo venue for the launch of the 2016 racing season, with representatives of most of the bodies associated with racing in Ireland present. What had drawn them to one of Ireland’s most westerly racecourses?

If you have never been racing at Ballinrobe then it might be hard to grasp why the racing authorities are so proud of what it has achieved. It is a jewel on the Irish racecourse map and the enthusiasm for racing there is unrivalled. This feel good factor permeates everything they do, and they had a good story to tell this week.

It is odd-on that every one of their 71 races this year will be sponsored. It certainly will happen if the Flannelly family has anything to do with it. This is one of the secrets of the success of Ballinrobe. Family tradition is important and current chairman John Staunton follows his late father in the role, while being joined on the committee by his son.

They, together with a welcoming committee and proud staff, have one aim – to make the racing experience for everyone a good one. Sponsors are valued, racegoers are treated with respect and appreciation, owners are cared for and welcomed, and this all happens while providing horses with the best racing facilities possible.

Winning the Racecourse of the Year award a few years ago did not mean that the Ballinrobe executive felt they could rest on their laurels. If anything it spurred them on, and each visit to the racecourse seems to reveal a further improvement. Again, to echo something Brian Kavanagh said on the night, when you drive in the gates of Ballinrobe you see a model racecourse.

While it has a great history, Ballinrobe is looking to the future. You should be doing so too and make sure to include a visit to one of Irish racing’s gems during the year on your agenda. You will have no reason to regret it.