After difficult beginning, racing season goes ahead
AFTER a turbulent start to
2017, which saw its first three race meetings, Sligo Races has been given the go-ahead for
Sunday’s National Hunt fixture. The Cleveragh racetrack was inspected by members from the Turf Club Licensing
Committee on Wednesday morning last and it was good news for the Races.
The reason the April, May and June meetings were called off was due to extensive drainage works, the biggest to date in the Racecourse’s history. The overall track development is costing in the region of €300,000 with some works being completed once racing ends.
Kathryn Foley, Manager of Sligo Races, said after a hectic start to 2017, things are looking up for Cleveragh. “I won’t deny it has been a difficult year but finally we can see the benefit of the works carried out on the track. This year we are investing €300,000 in track development. The majority of the spend is on drainage but we are also putting a Canter down in place. This work will commence after racing this year. “Our capital development plans for the racecourse facilities has been put on hold until after racing in 2018. It is regretful that we disappointed some of our local racegoers and members with the cancellation of the early fixtures this year. The racing programme for the remainder of the year has been altered, with the upcoming five fixtures run under National Hunt rules.” The Racecourse did have significant financial losses from the three meetings being called off. “We took a significant financial hit, there is no question about that. A lot of our money comes in via media money and we have invested an enormous amount in the track as well. Some other tracks might not be able to sustain a hit but fortunately we are and we’ ll see the benefits of this in the long run.” The fixtures for next year are out already so the three meetings that were cancelled will not be rescheduled for 2018. ““We have a facility here we can be very proud of. We feel that including other tracks in the West of Ireland, we get a great attendance here in Sligo and that is what it’s about. It’s a live spectator sport and we want the people here, we want them to come and enjoy the racing,” Kathryn said. The Family Day on Sunday begins at 12pm with lots of activities.