'Memorable' two days at Ballinrobe Racecourse

Two fantastic days of racing took place on Monday and Tuesday last at Ballinrobe Racecourse as crowds enjoyed action-packed racing, including the hugely popular McHale Raceday, the biggest fixture on the Ballinrobe calendar.

The two-day meeting combined top-class National Hunt racing with plenty of off-track interest, highlighted by a visit from USA Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk, who arrived at Ballinrobe alongside leading owner JP McManus. Furyk, who is preparing for next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, joined the Limerick businessman and with his family as they flew into Ballinrobe to take in McHale Raceday.

Furyk has now added Ballinrobe as the second racecourse he has visited in recent weeks following a trip to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Speaking at Ballinrobe, he said: “It’s my first time at an Irish track. I’m enjoying it, learning a little more about the sport and, as always, asking lots of questions.” 

On the track, Billy Lee Swagger recorded the third win of his career when landing the €30,000 McHale Mayo Handicap Hurdle in decisive fashion. The Philip Rothwell-trained gelding, ridden by Tiernan Power Roche, travelled strongly throughout before asserting in the closing stages to provide connections with a notable success on one of the feature races on the card.

Later in the card, Net Boy once again showed his liking for Ballinrobe when producing a fine front-running display to capture the McHale Tiger Roll Beginners Chase. Owned and trained by Barry Connell, the 12/1 chance was sent straight to the front by Sean Flanagan and never looked in danger as he added to the maiden hurdle success he recorded at Ballinrobe in May of last year.

The feature event of the evening, the Listed €100,000 McHale Mayo National, went the way of Henry de Bromhead-trained Native Speaker, who made most of the running under Darragh O’Keeffe before staying on strongly in the closing stages.

There was plenty of action on day two at Ballinrobe as the sun once again shone down on another large crowd. The feature race, the John & Margaret Monroe Memorial (Mares) Handicap Hurdle, went to Paul’s Dream, who powered clear in the straight under Danny Mullins to score by eight lengths. Mullins was completing a remarkable travelling double, having ridden a winner in Fair Hill, Maryland the previous evening before flying home to Ireland.

Sam Ewing also enjoyed a successful evening as he completed a double on the card. Joe Cool claimed the second division of the Sheridan Electric Maiden Hurdle for trainer Noel Meade, while Ewing had earlier partnered the Gordon Elliott-trained Porcupine Bank to victory in the KPMG Hurdle.

One of the standout moments of the evening came when Alan O’Sullivan rode his first winner since turning professional as Jisco Du Brem ran out a cosy winner of the FBD Handicap Hurdle. Having finished second in the McHale Mayo National on Monday evening, O’Sullivan enjoyed a memorable breakthrough aboard the Jonathan Sweeney-trained runner in the two-mile-six-furlong contest. The 11/2 shot hit the front approaching the final flight before staying on strongly in the closing stages.

Speaking after the race, O’Sullivan said: “I’ve been knocking on the door since I turned professional and it’s great to get over the line. It’s lovely to do it for Jonathan, he has always supported me.” 

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, the young rider added: “The aim is to be champion conditional jockey. Hopefully I’ll be able to kick on now and get plenty more winners.”

Ballinrobe Racecourse manager John Flannelly praised everyone involved in delivering another successful two-day fixture.

“We were delighted with how the two days went both on and off the track. We had fantastic crowds, competitive racing, great weather and a brilliant atmosphere throughout the meeting. Having somebody of Jim Furyk’s profile visit alongside JP McManus added another special element to an already memorable couple of days at Ballinrobe.

“We were also delighted to welcome Rasai Beo TG4 back to Ballinrobe to broadcast McHale Raceday live for the fifth consecutive year. Their continued support gives the meeting fantastic national exposure and really showcases Ballinrobe Racecourse.

“I would also like to commend the entire racecourse team for their preparations for the two days, especially our track staff who worked tirelessly in the lead-up to the meeting to achieve good, safe racing ground in the current conditions.” 

Attention at Ballinrobe now turns to its next meeting on Monday, June 22, featuring The Lodge at Ashford Castle Ladies Day. The seven-race flat card gets underway at 5.25pm.