Optimism that Ballinrobe Racecourse issue will be resolved

DISCUSSIONS are due to take place at The Curragh on Monday over the future of Flat racing at Ballinrobe after the track's meeting last Monday was abandoned midway through the card.

The meeting was cancelled after only three races due to horses losing their footing, leading clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer to question whether the course has a future on the level.

Because it was the final Flat meeting scheduled for 2018, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board chief executive Denis Egan said there is no hurry to make a decision on future plans at this point.

He stated: "We will discuss everything with all the relevant parties. There is no need for any immediate decision and we will endeavour to cover everything."

However, it is understood a meeting of the board and representatives of Ballinrobe Racecourse are due to be held on Monday.

Andrew Coonan, president of the Irish Jockeys Association, said it would be the wrong to take Flat racing away from Ballinrobe, pointing to the recent warm weather contributed to the problem.

He said: "There were a number of riders who felt horses slipping in the first couple of races.

"They had a look after race one and tried to alleviate it, but after race three and discussions with several people, they decided the best course of action was to call the meeting off.

"Our concern would be the suggestion that it might be the end for Flat racing at Ballinrobe. It's an excellent team led by John Flannelly and it's one of the good tracks in the west of Ireland, it would be a shame to not have Flat racing there.

"The jockeys who were consulted and gave their view certainly weren't suggesting Flat racing should finish. They thought it was a one-off situation that occurred on the night, but one that can be resolved.”