August Meeting Draws One of Season’s Biggest Crowds as Local Success Shines Again
The first of Ballinrobe Racecourse’s two August meetings took place on Monday evening last, with glorious sunshine and one of the largest crowds of the season creating a buzzing atmosphere around the Mayo venue. The warm weather, top-class racing, and strong local interest combined to make it a memorable night both on and off the track.
Local success was once again a major theme of the evening, with Leave in Secret landing the Bank of Ireland Brendan Maloney Memorial Maiden Hurdle for the Ballinrobe to Laytown Partnership, made up of local owners Owen Roe O’Neill and Damien Conway, along with Leonard Kinsella from Laytown. Sent off the 1/1 favourite for trainer Tom Gibney, Leave in Secret travelled strongly throughout before pulling clear under jockey Darragh O’Keeffe to win by one and three-quarter lengths.
Owner Owen Roe O’Neill was thrilled with the victory, saying:
“We are delighted with the win, especially in Ballinrobe with myself and Damien Conway being local to the track. Unfortunately Damien and Leonard Kinsella, the other owners, couldn’t make it today. This is my first winner in Ballinrobe and it was brilliant. I would like to thank Tom Gibney who had the horse spot on for the race and Darragh O’Keeffe for the brilliant ride. We would also like to thank all the staff at Ballinrobe Racecourse for their hospitality yesterday – they really made the day.”
The evening began with the CJ Sheeran Ltd 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, where Hopes Are High made a perfect start to his hurdling career for trainer Bill Durkan. The newcomer jumped fluently throughout and stayed on strongly to record an impressive debut success.
Later in the card, 6/5 favourite Oceans of Mercy produced a commanding front-running display to claim the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle by an emphatic 13 lengths. Partnered by jockey Danny Mullins for trainer Paul Hennessy, the victory was never in doubt from the final bend.
The Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series comprises 16 maiden and novice hurdle races staged throughout the season, each carrying a minimum prize fund of €20,000. The series culminates in a valuable final at the Punchestown Festival in April worth €75,000, open only to horses that have contested one of the qualifying races. Notably, Littlefoot, who won at Ballinrobe last year, went on to finish runner-up in the series final this April.
Local runner Tomas O’Maille, trained by Michael Flannery, also caught the eye when finishing second in the Cummins Homevalue Hardware Handicap Hurdle to 40/1 outsider DontgowithJoe. Tomas O’Maille had already provided his connections with a memorable victory at Ballinrobe earlier in the season, and this latest effort confirmed his consistency.
Reflecting on the meeting, Ballinrobe Racecourse manager John Flannelly said:
“It was a fantastic night for racing here in Ballinrobe – the weather was on our side, the crowd was one of the biggest we’ve seen this year, and to top it off we had great local success on the track. That’s what makes these meetings so special – people come out to support their own, and it creates an atmosphere you just can’t beat. We’ve only a quick turnaround now before we’re back here on Monday 25th August, so it’s a busy couple of weeks, but we’re really looking forward to another great evening’s racing.”
Next Up at Ballinrobe Racecourse – Monday, 25th August
Summer’s not over yet – and neither is the racing at Ballinrobe! This Monday, 25th August, the National Hunt action returns with thrilling steeplechases, a seven-race card, live music from Streetwise, and an atmosphere that can’t be beaten.
