By Enda McElhinney
Sligo racecourse has the distinction of being the most northerly venue on the island of Ireland and racing has been held in the current location for 70 years.
The dual-purpose course plays host to both jumps and Flat racing and it is one of the most scenic tracks in Ireland, with wonderful mountain views from the grandstands.
Sligo is considered a sharp, undulating, right-handed track with a circuit of just over a mile. The run to the straight of just under two furlongs is slightly uphill, but essentially it suits speed horses.
Runners are constantly on the turn, meaning the track is often considered tricky to ride. The ground can also become testing as the track is located in a natural bowl.
There are five fences to a circuit of the chase course, which is situated on the outside of the hurdles track, with one just before the straight and one at the bottom of a slightly uphill run-in.
Generally speaking, horses need to be in a good position turning for home as run-in is quite short.
Sligo racecourse was celebrating its 60th year in 2015 when it played host to a Royal visit from the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, now King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The cavalcade rolled into the enclosure amidst loud applause from the waiting crowds for the evening meeting. The Royal couple presented the prizes to the winning connections of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall Mares Maiden Hurdle, with Mollyanna successful for trainer Colin Bowe and jockey Mark Walsh.
On their way back to the Benbulben suite they met and spoke to the racegoers who greeted them warmly.
The inaugural meeting for Sligo races was held over the magnificently picturesque course at Cleveragh on August 24 in 1955, with more than 7,000 people in attendance after special train services were laid on.
A report in the following day's Irish Independent said: "Not far from Sligo, on the road to Bundoran, lies at Drumcliffe the resting place of the poet WB Yeats, and the renowned Yeats country is fittingly commemorated on the Lough Gill Maiden Plate and the Benbulben Handicap Hurdle."
Sligo has undergone major changes this century. In 2013, the first stage of a capital development project costing in the region of ?2.5m commenced, while upgrades costing in excess of ?1.9m began in 2015 under the leadership of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). They included the construction of a new two-storey hospitality building overlooking the parade ring and track.
