New facility opened at racecourse

New facility opened at racecourse

2 April 2014

THE official opening of the superb new Brownlow Suite at Downpatrick racecourse took place in advance of the course’s premier fixture — the Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National.

Guests, racecourse directors and VIPs were treated to a champagne reception to mark the opening of the superior premier suite, which can be hired for events by contacting the racecourse.

The opening ceremony was conducted by Mrs Eveleigh Brownlow, patron of Downpatrick and wife of the late Major William Brownlow, former chairman of Downpatrick Racecourse. Major Brownlow, who died in 1998 aged 76, was chairman of the track for almost 30 years and proved to be its saviour when Government decided only one racecourse was required in Northern Ireland and Down Royal was nominated as the sole venue.

Major Brownlow said no to the proposal and promised to “sort out government” while advising that Downpatrick Racecourse would not die.

With the limited Government funding withdrawn, Major Brownlow formed the Downpatrick Supporters Club — members of which are still associated with the course today.

The committee undertook fund raising, took on operating the bar and catering facilities — cooking food in advance of race meetings — while directors dipped into their own pockets at times to supply prize money for races.

The group’s hard work and efforts ensured the survival of racing in Downpatrick until the introduction of the Northern Ireland Horse Racing Fund, which has sustained and brought about significant improvements at both Ulster courses.

Major Brownlow served with the Rifles Brigade in the Second World War, sustaining injuries and being mentioned in dispatches three times.

Overcoming his war injuries, he was a keen amateur rider in point-to-points and contested the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown for serving and former military personnel.

The late Frankie Fitzsimmons — father of Brian, Paddy and Frankie Fitzsimons, who are all still associated with the course — rode many of Major Brownlow’s top class point-to-point horses.

Brownlow had a special saddle commissioned to facilitate his injuries for hunting and race riding, and was also the first person in Northern Ireland to own an amphibious car in the 1960s to cross Strangford Lough, only stopping when he persuaded local councillors to introduce the current ferry service. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for North Down as a pro-Sunningdale UUP candidate in 1973.

The Brownlow estate in Lurgan carries the family name while following  Major Brownlow’s death a Brownlow Trophy was instituted for the person who had made the “greatest contribution to country sports and conservation in Ireland” each year.

Lord Lurgan — a relation — owned the legendary greyhound Master McGrath and Major Brownlow presented a bronze sculpture of the greyhound which won three Waterloo Cups in the 1860s and 1870s to Lurgan Council.