Ballinrobe Racecourse gears up for a spectacular season finale

Ballinrobe Racecourse will bring the curtain down on its hugely successful 2025 season this Friday, September 12th, with an eight-race National Hunt card and a bumper crowd expected to savour the last meeting of the year. Racing gets underway at 3:55pm, with gates opening at 1:55pm. The feature event on the card is the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle, carrying a prize fund of €26,000.

The 2025 season has been one of the most successful in recent years, with attendances up on last year and an atmosphere that reflected the growing popularity of Ballinrobe as a destination not only for racing enthusiasts but for families and groups of friends looking for a great day out. The racing itself has presented many good news stories, with a host of local connections enjoying their share of success on the track. Victories for Tomas O’Maille in the colours of Michael Flannery, Nothing Hectic for Tim Kelly, Leave in Secret for Owen Roe O’Neill, Buddy One for John Joe McGrath and Only One Plan for trainer Michael Flannery and owner Michael Cawe brought plenty for the home crowd to cheer about. Cathal Hughes, whose business sponsorships have long been associated with the racecourse, also enjoyed a popular victory when Westport Cove came home in front, underlining the close links between Ballinrobe and its local community.

This season also marked the twelfth anniversary of the Tote Raceday, a partnership that has gone from strength to strength since its introduction and is now firmly established as a highlight in Ballinrobe’s summer racing season. The flagship race of the Ballinrobe calendar, the McHale Mayo National, produced the standout story of the summer when Western Fold, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Danny Gilligan, stormed to victory before going on to achieve further glory by winning the Galway Plate at Ballybrit. Those triumphs not only delighted racing fans but also highlighted Ballinrobe’s significance as a stage where future stars are discovered.

While the action on the track has been memorable, 2025 has also been a year of milestones and fond farewells behind the scenes. This season marks the end of an era as the racecourse bids farewell to Clerk of the Course, Lorcan Wyer, who has overseen racing at Ballinrobe for more than 20 years. A hugely respected figure in Irish racing, Lorcan brought with him a wealth of knowledge and professionalism that helped shape Ballinrobe’s reputation for providing good and safe ground every raceday. His calm authority, deep understanding of the sport, and tireless commitment ensured that every meeting at the track was run to the highest standard.

Track Manager Cathal Flannelly paid tribute to Lorcan’s immense contribution: “Lorcan’s knowledge and experience have been invaluable to Ballinrobe for over two decades. He has guided us through so many seasons with professionalism and dedication, always putting the safety of horse and rider first. His steady hand and wise counsel have left a lasting mark on this racecourse, and on Irish racing as a whole. We are deeply grateful for everything he has done here in Ballinrobe, and while we will miss his presence greatly, we wish him every success as he continues his work with the IHRB.” Another special landmark this year was reached by Seamus Macken, who celebrated his 60th season working at Ballinrobe. His decades of dedication and commitment to the racecourse embody everything that makes Ballinrobe such a special place, and his contribution has been warmly recognised by all involved.

Reflecting on the success of the season, Racecourse Manager John Flannelly was understandably proud of what had been achieved in 2025. “We are delighted with how the 2025 season has gone,” he said. “Attendances have been up, there has been great racing action on track and we’ve seen some brilliant local winners which always means a lot to us here. The McHale Mayo National once again provided a highlight, and to see Western Fold go on to win the Galway Plate was special. We’re really looking forward to closing the season on a high on Friday, September 12th, and we would encourage people to come early, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy what promises to be a great evening.” As ever, the Ballinrobe finale will be about more than just racing. Following the last race, the celebrations will continue in the Mask Pavilion where popular Tuam band Streetwise will take to the stage and keep the crowd entertained. Hospitality packages have once again proven extremely popular, with the Coranna Restaurant and the Corrib and Friday Finale Group Package selling out in advance. There is still availability online for general admission tickets, with advance purchase advised.

After a hugely successful season, Ballinrobe has once again underlined its special place in the hearts of racing fans across the west of Ireland and beyond. The 2025 campaign has been filled with unforgettable moments, and now all focus turns to Friday for one final evening of top-class racing and a fantastic atmosphere as the curtain falls on the season. A large crowd is anticipated, and racegoers are advised to arrive early and allow extra time for travel.