IT was a full house at Ballinrobe racecourse last Friday as the manager John Flannelly stood to address the more than 100 people gathered to launch the 2017 racing season at the popular Co Mayo track.

Having prepared a slide show that showed sponsorship of all but two of the 65 races scheduled for the year ahead, John was able to announce that it was already out of date as he had secured another sponsor on the night. As you read this it is odds-on that the ‘sold-out’ sign will be in place.

It is no wonder that there will be a 100% sponsorship at Ballinrobe as the racecourse is one of the most progressive in the country, and as recently as the end of last year was given an award by the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners. It is also indicative of the popularity of the track that the owners’ and trainers’ associations, as well as many other bodies, were represented on the night.

Ballinrobe also has a growing reputation as a starting place for many leading runners and this year’s Cheltenham roll of honour contained many names of horses that racegoers had seen in action west of the Shannon. They can expect more of the same this year when the nine-raceday programme – seven National Hunt and two flat meetings - kicks into action on Tuesday, May 2nd, while at the end of that month their two-day mini festival will include the hugely valuable McHale raceday.

A key to the success of Ballinrobe is the fact that John Flannelly keeps his finger on the pulse. That pulse measuring encompasses everyone from those paying through the turnstiles, to the stablestaff and through to owners.

A warm welcome and modern facilities are key priorities for John and his team. He told those gathered last week: “Our customers are our number one priority here in Ballinrobe. We have just completed extensive refurbishment of our two public bars, which will greatly enhance the raceday experience, and work on a new racecourse entrance will get underway at the end of our season.”

The plans for the entrance were shown on the night and will be a more reflective indication of the many works that have taken place inside. John revealed that the trainers’ association chief executive Michael Grassick had written to him in praise of the modern stableyard now in place at Ballinrobe.

SHORT SEASON

While the racing season is rather short at Ballinrobe, running from the beginning of May until late in September, the course and its manager do not go into hibernation. Non-racing events take place at the venue, providing a mix of commercial and community-based engagement with the racecourse. The intervening months also provide a window in which to carry out remedial and development work, while also laying the foundations for the next year’s racing.

In addition to having all the races sponsored, John is conscious of the work done by grooms and to this end he has enlisted a number of sponsors to put up best turned out prizes in recognition of their efforts.

The sponsorship mix at Ballinrobe sees three companies sponsoring full racedays, while there is a broad range of local and national companies supporting the track. With more than €900,000 to be won at Ballinrobe in 2017, and 11 feature races worth between €20,000 and €40,000, John is now focused on having a feature race upgraded to blacktype status. This is surely just around the corner.

When the annual awards season comes around again it will be no surprise if Ballinrobe is again at the top of the list. It is the pride of Co Mayo and a jewel among the 26 Irish racecourses.