26 RACECOURSE CHALLENGE – Number 22

HATS off to the people of Sligo who turned up in massive numbers at their local racecourse on Sunday to greet the return of racing for 2017. Having missed out on the first three meetings due to problems with the work done on the track, there was a palpable hunger for racing and the fact that so many eschewed the alternative of a day at the seaside on a gloriously sunny afternoon was evidence of that fact.

From manager Kathryn Foley to the chairman of the board Donald O’Connor and his fellow directors, there was relief that they could at last put the nightmare of the first half of 2017 behind them. Families were exceptionally well catered for and they turned out in droves. Themed days are a feature of the rest of the year and I was particularly drawn to the six-race chase only card on Wednesday, August 9th which is Farmers’ Day at Sligo Races. Held in conjunction with Macra, this looks like a winning combination.

Sligo was my 22nd different racecourse visit on the challenge to see all 26 Irish racecourses – on a raceday - in 2017.

Four to go and they are the festival meetings at Galway and Listowel, the unique setting of Laytown, and finally Thurles on October 12th.