The third annual McHale Race Day took place on Tuesday, May 31^st at Ballinrobe Racecourse. The last two years saw the McHale Race Day well attended by some household names in the racing industry as well as novice and avid racegoers to Ballinrobe Racecourse. This year McHale renewed their sponsorship of the Tuesday meeting which is part of the two day national hunt meeting which took place on May 30^th & 31^st.  Luckily, the weather turned out to be fantastic which allowed for the going to be good for a jam packed evening of racing.

John Flannelly, Manager of Ballinrobe Racecourse;

“We are very fortunate to have a high profile business such as McHale sponsoring Tuesday’s evening meeting. We would like to thank them for their continued support and commitment to the racecourse. It is always a great social occasion and we are looking forward to welcoming a large crowd on Tuesday evening.”

Padraic McHale, Managing Director of McHale;

“We are delighted to be sponsoring the race day for the third year running. Our relationship with the racecourse has developed greatly over the last 15 years and we are delighted to be involved with the race day on May 31st. The last two years proved a great success with everyone thoroughly enjoying the evenings. Let’s hope the weather is as good as last year, on May 31st.”

McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle Winner, Shanpallas.

McHale Day saw a busy race card with 6 races held throughout the course of the evening with the feature races, the McHale Mayo National and the McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle, having a prize fund of €30,000 each and making them the most valuable races at Ballinrobe Racecourse.

McHale Mayo National Handicap Steeplechase Winner, King Leon.

The McHale Mayo National was won by King Leon which was ridden by Mark Walsh and owned and trained by John P. McManus and Aidan O’Brien respectively. John P. McManus had his second win of the evening when Shanpallas was first past the post to win the McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle.

Overall, a great evening of racing was had at Ballinrobe Racecourse by all and we look forward to doing it all again next year!

Pictured below is Donal Vaughan of Vaughan Shoes and John Flannelly, Ballinrobe Racecourse Manager with Paul McHale at the launch of the 2016 season.