The board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) have approved grants for Ballinrobe and Killarney racecourses for additional development work to be carried out.

The new works approved at Ballinrobe consist of a significant track extension, which will see the addition of a second back straight comprising some 4½ furlongs, and a new gateway and racecourse entrance off the main Ballinrobe to Castlebar road.

The overall Ballinrobe development plan, including the already completed weighroom building, will cost in the region of €3.4 million, of which €1.9 million will be provided by HRI.

Killarney is ready to begin phase two of its overall redevelopment plan which will bring the total spend to €3.3 million with €1.9 million also coming from HRI. The first phase saw the opening of a new weighroom and overhead corporate facility in 2006, and phase two will see further improvements to this popular area with the addition of air conditioning and a significantly enhanced kitchen facility.

The most significant development will be an entirely new entrance building, incorporating offices for the racecourse, while there will also be improvements to both the sponsors lounge and the Maurice O'Donoghue stand.