Mayo racecourse unveils impressive new stablestaff restaurant

Ballinrobe Racecourse has this week proudly opened its state-of-the-art stablestaff restaurant, aptly named The Robe.

The new facility was officially opened on Tuesday (May 28) by Bernard Caldwell, CEO of the Irish Stablestaff Association. In attendance at the opening were representatives from Ballinrobe Racecourse, Tobin Contractors, Sheridan Contractors, and Lydon House Catering.

Ballinrobe Racecourse won the prestigious Racecourse Award at the 2024 Irish Thoroughbred Employee Industry Awards, supported by Godolphin. The prize money from this award was directly invested into the construction of The Robe restaurant, further enhancing the support and care for the invaluable stablestaff.

John Flannelly, racecourse manager, spoke of the importance of The Robe restaurant, stating: “Stablestaff, grooms, trainers and jockeys are the backbone of our industry. When they travel such distances, it's essential that they are well taken care of.

“The Robe restaurant is a testament to our commitment to their comfort and well-being. Seeing this project come to fruition has been incredibly rewarding. We are proud to offer such an exceptional facility and hope that stabelstaff enjoy it for years to come.”

Bernard Caldwell, in his opening speech, expressed his gratitude for the new facility: “On behalf of the Irish Stablestaff, I would like to thank the Ballinrobe Racecourse manager and directors for providing a beautiful restaurant for our grooms. This is likely the best grooms' restaurant in the country, and a lot of thought went into its creation.

“A special thanks to racecourse manager John Flannelly and chairman Kenneth Murphy. I look forward to many visits to this wonderful restaurant.”

The Robe represents a significant investment in the well-being and comfort of the stablestaff who play a crucial role in the success of the racing industry. The facility is designed to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that their contributions are recognised and valued.

For more information about Ballinrobe Racecourse and upcoming events, see www.ballinroberacecourse.ie.