Earliest meeting: May 1833
Final meeting: April 1871
The County Mayo village of Breaffy lies south east of Castlebar and once held race meetings in its own right. Castlebar had held races as early as 1751, but in 1833 the inaugural meeting of the Breaffy and Castlebar Races took place. The meetings were instigated by Major Brown at a gathering in May 1833 and a 4 day meeting, with two races daily, took place over ‘picturesque plains in a quaint old spot’. Entries were made at Dalys Hotel and races continued to be held annually, with the principal race being the Golden Cup. Crowds increased once the Midland Great Western Railway laid on train excursions to the races, but the final meeting was staged in April 1871.

Marquis of Sligo, Earl of Lucan, Lord Bingham, Captain French

In August 1830 a newspaper announced that plans were afoot to establish an annual race meeting at Breaffy under the patronage of the Marquis of Sligo, ably supported by Lord Clanmorris, Sir William Brabazon, Sir Richard O'Donnell, Joseph MacDonnell, Joseph Myles MacDonnell and Major Browne. A month later, on Tuesday 7th September 1830, the Marquis launched a race fund, donating the initial 25 guineas himself. This was quickly followed by James and Dominick Browne adding their £25 to the fund. Although all went quiet for the next 18 months, a racecourse had clearly been established in the meantime, because on Saturday 3rd March 1832 a 500 Sovereign match was staged over 4 miles on Breaffy Racecourse between Mr Hamilton, of the 83rd Regiment, and Mr De Win. After a closely fought race, Mr Hamilton's horse prevailed.

In May 1833 further discussion took place and a 4-day meeting was organised which was entitled the ‘Breaffy and Castlebar Races’.

Racing continued on a regular basis for almost 40 years, with the principal races being the Mayp Challenge Cup and the Golden Cup. One of the most successful meetings took place in October 1841, with results shown below:-

Monday 18th October 1841
Breaffy Stewards 10 sovereign Sweepstake
1. Humming Bird, 4 year old owned by Mr Ferguson
2. Hawkesberry owned by Mr G H Moore
      3. Pink 3 year old owned by Captain French
4. Mustard 3 year old owned by Mr Irwin

Breaffy 100 sovereigns Match
1. Anonymous owned by Mr G H Moore
2. Castlebay owned by Mr Parson Persse

Breaffy £50 Plate
1. Oh Don't 2-year-old owned by Mr G H Moore
2. Harry Lorrequer 5-year-old owned by Mr McDonnell
3. Hawkesberry owned by Mr G H Moore

Scurry Stakes for 10 sovereigns
1. Oh Don't 2-year-old owned by Mr Moore
2. Anne Maria 5-year-old owned by Mr Irwin
3. Vernal aged horse owned by Mr Ferguson
4. Lady Sarah aged mare owned by Mr Dixon

Tuesday 19th October 1841
Breaffy 30 sovereigns Hunters race
1. Cormorant 3-year-old owned by Captain French
2. Vernal aged horse owned by Mr Ferguson

The Golden Cup
1. Hawkesberry owned by Mr G H Moore
2. Harry Lorrequer 5-year-old owned by Mr McDonnell
Hack Race
1. Lady Sarah aged mare owned by Mr Dixon
2. Forgotten owned by Mr Shirlock
3. Venus 6-year-old owned by Mr Kelly

Wednesday 20th October 1841
Breaffy Stewards 40 sovereigns Sweepstake over 2 miles and 3 4 1/2 foot walls
1. Anonymous owned by Mr Moore
2. Vernal owned by Mr Ferguson
Ladies 25 sovereigns Purse
1. Anna Maria owned by Mr Irwin
2. Pink owned by Captain French
3. Mustard owned by Mr Irwin
4. Bachelor owned by Mr Blake
5. Phalander owned by Mr O'Malley
6. Lady Sarah owned by Mr Dixon

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

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