Sligo racecouse has been given the green light to resume its racing programme for the remainer of the season.

Damage to the racing surface after drainage work at the track this year had led to the loss of three fixtures.

A trial day was held today [Wednesday] to allow the Turf Club Licensing Committee to determine whether it was suitable for racing to resume at the venue. Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer and Turf Club inspector of courses Val O’Connell were present.

Following the trial, the Licensing Committee granted Sligo Racecourse a licence to resume racing.

However, due to the limited availability of ground at certain sections of the track, it was recommended that alterations be made to the race programme for the remainder of the year, so that the upcoming five fixtures are run under National Hunt rules.

REMAINING FIXTURES

Sunday, July 16th

Wednesday, Aug 9th

Thursday, Aug 10th

Tues, Aug 22nd

Wed, 27th Sept

On Wednesday afternoon Horse Racing Ireland announced the following programme changes:

i. Roscommon on Tuesday, August 8th will now be an all-flat card with the seven races originally scheduled for Sligo, Wednesday, August 9th.

ii. Sligo on Wednesday, August 9th will be a six-race chase card including the chases originally scheduled for Roscommon the day before.

iii. Sligo on Thursday, August 10th will be a seven-race hurdle/bumper card.

iv. Sligo on Tuesday, August 22nd will be a seven-race hurdle/bumper card.

The full race programme for all the above meetings and the Sligo fixture scheduled for Wednesday, September 27th will be published as normal in the Irish Racing Calendar in due course.

Speaking to The Irish Field's Leo Powell a few weeks ago, manager Kathryn Foley said:

“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."

She went on to look ahead to the rest of the season. “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.”