Campaign aims to keep horseracing

A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Tralee to ensure horseracing continues in the town, following the recent decision to sell off the local Ballybeggan Park Racecourse for €47.5 million.

A GAA stadium has been earmarked for a 30-acre site on the Ballybeggan property, which will also have other leisure facilities.

However, all of the plans depend on Kerry County Council agreeing to rezone the racecourse for development.

If the land is rezoned and the sale to local developers Séamus O’Halloran and James J Casey is completed, it will mean the end of racing in Tralee.

The Ballybeggan Park company took over the track in 1944.

Tralee auctioneer Eddie Barrett, who is leading a campaign to save racing in the town, said there was widespread dismay in the area following the company’s decision to sell.

“We need to keep horseracing in the town. If the sale of Ballybeggan goes ahead, we need to construct another racecourse in Tralee,” he said.

“Losing this facility, so close to the town centre, is a huge blow for the town. Action must be taken on the issue immediately.”

Mr Barrett was part of a campaign four years ago that prevented an attempt to wind down racing at the track and have the land rezoned for development.

However, more than 80% of shareholders in the race company recently voted to sell the loss-making track.

The decision was taken after a meeting at which the company said that racing in Ballybeggan was no longer economically viable or sustainable due to considerable financial losses.