BALLINROBE, the HRI Racecourse of the Year in 2012, unveiled plans for its racing season on Thursday night. With 67 of the 71 races already sponsored, racecourse manager John Flannelly is hopeful that they will have every race in 2016 supported.

An extra fixture allocation this year sees 10 race days at the Co Mayo track which has undergone much transformation in recent years. Flannelly is hoping that further improvements will be undertaken at the end of the year, while the 108-box stable yard has been completely made-over and will be used for the first time at the Friday evening meeting on April 15th which opens the season.

The track is also pressing ahead with plans to have one or more of its National Hunt races granted graded race status, while this year’s programme will feature a dozen races worth €20,000 or more, with four carrying prize money of €30,000. A total of €950,000 will be raced for this year which is made up of eight NH meetings and two flat cards.

The race committee is keen to ensure that everyone involved with racedays has an excellent experience and stable staff will be pleased that every race during the year will have a best turned out prize of €50, all sponsored by local companies.

Ballinrobe is also making an important sporting link this year, having signed a three-year deal to sponsor the Ballinrobe GAA Club. In addition to racing, the course will also play host to a number of other major events, including the Connacht Spring Show, the Ballinrobe Agricultural Show and the Ballinrobe Feis.