Beleaguered Sligo loses another fixture as troubles continue

Sligo racecourse's troubles continue after the meeting scheduled for June 20 was cancelled on Wednesday due to ongoing problems with the track.

The track remains unfit for racing having failed to heal sufficiently following remedial drainage work. The cancellation of the June meeting means that the racecourse has been unable to stage a fixture so far this year.

A statement issued by the racecourse yesterday said: "We regret to have to announce that following an inspection by Turf Club Officials, the track was found to be unfit for racing due to on-going remedial work.

"Consequently, the fixture scheduled for Tuesday June 20 has been cancelled. Weather conditions, specifically the dry spell in April has added to the slow recovery of the track."

Sligo was due to stage its first meeting of 2017 on April 30, but that fixture and the meeting which was scheduled for Monday next (May 22) were cancelled for the same reason.

Denis Egan, chief executive of the Turf Club, said: "Sligo has been very unlucky. They've had a long dry spell with poor grass growth and that has been the problem. They are hopeful the situation will improve before long and are quite optimistic that their July meeting will be able to go ahead."

The next meeting scheduled for the west of Ireland venue is on Sunday July 16, with other fixtures on August 9, 10, 22 and September 27.