Return of Ballyvaughan Horse and Pony Races

The Ballyvaughan Horse and Pony Races return this weekend after a gap of more than 30 years.
The first race is due to start at 1.30pm on Sunday and organisers are hoping to attract a large crowd to the area for the event.
“It would be great if people would come along and support this. There are eight races and I would expect 12 to 14 horses to run in each race.
“It should give a bit of a boost to local businesses too.
“Back in the 1970s, we would have a couple of thousand patrons here, no problem, but since this is the first year it is back on, we are not sure what the numbers will be like,” said Johnny Burns, PRO for the event. 
“When it started up, it was all about bringing business into the area at the time. It is the same way now. All the local businesses have got involved in sponsoring the races and the prize money is all coming from local sponsors, which is great,” he added.
The first Ballyvaughan Horse and Pony Races took place back on September 20, 1970 and the event was held each year until 1977. Almost 40 years later the races are being revived.
“The races carried on until 1977 and the main reason the event died out was that there weren’t enough horse owners in the area.
“Gymkhanas became more popular and more people started taking part in those. I suppose the fact that there weren’t enough local jockeys and owners to keep the event going was part of it,” Mr Burns said.
“The driving force behind starting the races up again was the enthusiasm of a few members of the committee, in particular John Queally and Tomas Vaughan. John Queally especially has a number of ponies and his twin sons are two particularly good jockeys. They are great sportsmen and they will take part in the races and are pretty good, I hear,” said Johnny.
The races are returning to the same picturesque venue at which they were originally held.
“They are being held on Newtown Castle lawn. That is where it was held in 1970 and the owner then was Sean Collins. It is a really beautiful setting. Michael ‘Mickey’ Vaughan is the present owner and he is giving us the space again free of charge.
“The setting is a big draw because it is right under the Burren College of Art. It is a natural amphitheatre and people should have a great view of all the events,” Johnny outlined.
The Ballyvaughan Horse and Pony Races were officially launched last Friday. There were a number of items of memorabilia from the races on show on the night including photos and old race cards and these will be displayed in a window in the Square in Ballyvaughan from this Thursday.
Johnny is optimistic that the races will go well this year and will continue through to next year.
“The races are run under the rules of the Midland Horse and Pony Association so we are expecting people to come from all over the Midlands and South and South West of Ireland.
“It is in these sorts of events that jockeys cut their teeth before riding in the big racing festivals. This year is the first year of the revived races and we want to break even and then hopefully get national sponsorship next year. Now that it has been revitalised we hope it will last more than eight years,” Johnny stated.
As well as the races, there will be a number of amusements and entertainment for children. There will also be a dog show.
Further information is available from chairman Paul Connole, Fanore; honorary secretary David Quinn; treasurer Kieran Linnane; PRO Johnny Burns or sub-committee chairs John Mooney Hynes, John Queally, Tomas Vaughan, Frank Gill, PJ Connole, Ray Quinn and Ailish Lawlor Hynes.