SEVEN different trainers had a winner at the most recent meeting held at Sligo racecourse, with jockey Oisin Orr doubling up on the evening. While next Tuesday is the third meeting of 2019 at Sligo, it is the second of just three flat cards run there during the year.

Joseph O’Brien, John E Kiely, Denis Cullen, Eddie Lynam, The Irish Field columnist Jessica Harrington, Tom Hogan, Andy Oliver and Denis Hogan all saddled winners at the May meeting, while in April it was a Gordon Elliott bonanza, the Co Meath handler winning half of the eight races.

On Tuesday the Tote takes centre stage at Sligo, appending their name to all but one of the races, the odd one out being the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap. The eight-race programme kicks off about 5.10pm. An attractive prize fund of more than €100,000 will be on offer.

This week’s meeting is also a special one for the members of Sligo Races Supporters Club. To acknowledge the support of the members, the racecourse is hosting an event in the Cleveragh Suite on the first floor of the grandstand. All members holding a 2019 annual badge will receive a welcome pack at the AIR turnstiles. If a member wishes to bring a guest there is a charge of €10 to avail of the guest package, which will include a hot buffet and drinks.

This is a lovely gesture by the racecourse to their supporters.

Racecourse manager Kathryn Foley is keen to pay tribute to everyone who plays a part in the success of Sligo. She said: “We are a team of very dedicated people, passionate about racing and tireless in our efforts to improve our racecourse and facilities to make it an even better experience for our racegoers, owners and trainers alike.

“The committee at Sligo consists of 15 voluntary directors who bring a treasure trove of experience and who are always at the ‘ready’ to help wherever they can. We have a committed track team who devote endless hours to getting the course ready for racing, and a groundsman who works hard at keeping the enclosure in tip top shape. On race day dozens of other people join our team to operate turnstiles, sell racecards, provide security, run our bars and restaurant and provide other important auxiliary roles.”

Time flies and it is hard to believe that it is now four years since Sligo racecourse was not only making the news at home, but was garnering acres of worldwide coverage. On May 20th, 2015, the track played host to HRH Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The royal couple had a race named in their honour and presented winning connections with their trophies.

The racecourse chair, along with Kathryn Foley, welcomed the couple who were completely relaxed and totally engrossed in the racing. Indeed, the Duchess subsequently purchased the winner of the race named in their honour, Mollyanna. Though she raced in the royal colours, she did not add to her Sligo win and is now a broodmare.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Duchess sent Mollyanna for her first year at stud to Dartmouth, a Royal Ascot winner for her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, and she produced a filly foal in March.

Sligo will race for five more days after Tuesday, with their two-day meeting the week after Galway capitalising on the host of visitors to the west. The year will round-off in late September with the popular student day.

Tickets can be purchased in advance on www.countysligoraces.com and here you can find some attractive packages to include admission and hospitality.