THE last few months have been very difficult. Nobody sets out to disappoint people but I feel we have disappointed some of our members and local racegoers.” Refreshingly honest, Sligo manager Kathryn Foley talks about the loss of a number of racedays in 2017.

She went on: “Over the last 10 years Sligo has lost a number of fixtures and, in the last two years, one on each of the seasons due to surface water. As a consequence, the board was determined to do everything possible to avoid a recurrence and so we embarked on a large drainage programme.

“Unfortunately, wet weather in the first part of the year hampered our progress, especially as drainage involves bringing heavy plant in and that in itself causes damage. The dry cold spell in April didn’t help either as we needed moisture and heat to get the grass growing. The fact that the project did not start as early as planned was also a contributing factor.

“I won’t deny it has been a difficult few months – we will appreciate the good days when they come.”

Hopefully the first of the good days will be on Sunday, July 16th, when the track is scheduled to start its delayed 2017 racing season. Kathryn is grateful to many. “The vast majority of locals and sponsors have been extremely supportive and totally understood the situation. We are in the business of staging racing and that is what we want to do, but health and safety is the only criteria. I am very hopeful that we will be racing, subject to a successful trial day of horses galloping on the track in early July.”

LOVE OF RACING

The recent travails have not blunted Kathryn’s hopes. “The disruption of racing has not altered our enthusiasm to get on with the remaining fixtures. It is envisaged that the remainder of our fixtures will be all jumps. We are hugely grateful to Michael Finneran, manager of Roscommon, for swapping a National Hunt for a flat fixture on August 9th. The generosity of Roscommon demonstrates that it is not all about money, rather the love of horse racing and kindness among neighbours.

“July 16th is family day. A two-day festival on August 9th and 10th includes a Ladies Day on the 10th, with Katherine Lynch from Dancing with the Stars will be our celebrity judge.

“August 22nd will have a rugby theme, with Diageo as the main sponsor on the day, while our final meeting on September 27th is Students Day and also Steeplechase racing – a fantastic, exciting day that has gone from strength to strength year after year.”

How successful is Sligo in attracting new business?

“2016 season saw considerable growth in new attendees. The introduction of special packages last year seemed to suit groups coming racing for a day out without going to the expense of booking a corporate suite.

CHALLENGES

“Our real challenge is attracting a new younger racegoers. The profile of racegoer is changing and we need to change with it. Racing is now more about the social occasion. To get young people interested in racing, first you need to get them through the gates.

“Our Students’ Day in Sligo is very successful. The students bring the vibrancy of youth to the racecourse. All of our race days are streamed on social media. Technology is about to play a larger part on race days with the roll out of Wi-Fi to all racecourses later in the year by Horse Racing Ireland.”

Kathryn has a wish for Irish racing too. “I would personally like to see small trainers and owners given more recognition. It is difficult to compete with the big yards. A sponsored race for smaller yards would be very encouraging and be good for the industry as a whole.”