Earliest meeting: Monday 16th September 1751
Final meeting: Monday 11th July 1910
The County Galway town of Ballinasloe lies on the River Suck in the eastern part of the county. Its name actually means ‘ford, mouth of the river’ and today it consists of an urban part and a rural part. However, back in the middle of the 18th century the town was surrounded by rural countryside, tailor-made for hosting race meetings. The ‘Historical List of Horse-Matches’ recorded that the first 3 day meeting was held in September 1751. The Killbegly racecourse, located 2 ½ miles from Ballinalsoe, was formed on grazing land owned by John Byrne and had a steeplechase course with five 4 ½ foot high walls. Racing continued to be held annually and crowds were boosted when the railway station, on the Dublin to Galway line, opened on 1st August 1851. The final meeting took place on Monday 11th July 1910. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 4 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Sir Edward O'Brien |
| Principal Races |
Ballinasloe Purse |
Monday 16th September 1751 |
Ballinasloe £20 Purse
1. Starling, bay horse owned by Mr Lambert and Mr Dunnelan
2. Merry Andrew, bay horse owned by Walter Taylor
3. Abelard, black gelding owned by Sir Edward O’Brien |
Tuesday 17th September 1751 |
Ballinalsoe £25 Purse
1. Foxhunter, bay gelding owned by Robert Brown
2. Merry Harrier, grey gelding owned by Crosedaile Miller |
Wednesday 18th September 1751 |
Ballinasloe £30 Purse
1. Ranger, bay horse owned by Sir Edward O’Brien
2. Fearnought, black horse owned by Mr Judge
3. Starling, bay horse owned by Mr Lambert and Mr Dunnelan |
| The final meeting took place on Monday 11th July 1910. |
| Course today |
The Killbegly course some 2 ½ miles from Ballinasloe. |
| If you have photos, postcards, racecards. badges, newspaper cuttings or book references about the old course, or can provide a photo of how the ground on which the old racecourse stood looks today, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com |
Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-
London Illustrated News
Racing Illustrated 1895-1899
The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated
Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough
The Sporting Magazine
A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8
Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727 |
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ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3
652 pages
774 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0
352 pages
400 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7
180 pages
140 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4
264 pages
235 former courses |
| Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent. |
| ORDER FORM |
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| Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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