The potentially disastrous closure of Thurles Racecourse has been averted until the end of next March at least following what was described as a “Positive Meeting” between the property’s owners, the Molony family, and the HRI.
Earlier this month, Irish racing – and the National Hunt sector thereof in particular – was sent into a tailspin when Mrs Riona Molony who, along with her family have kept the Tipperary venue going for the past decade following the death of her husband Pierce, announced they were closing the track with immediate effect.
Naturally, the news was met with widespread shock and devastation throughout the jump racing fraternity. Not least because it’s more tracks opening we want to see, not existing ones closing. Also, and more importantly in my view, due to the durability of the Munster venue which tends to be raceable when most other venues tend to be in quagmire mode.
However, it appears murmurings which emerged almost immediately after the Molony’s – trading as Thurles Race Company – made their announcement, that the situation was more than likely savable. Though I suppose you never actually believe these things until they actually happen. But, it appears that, thankfully, hopeful inclinations appear to have been well founded.
A joint statement from TRC and HRI following the talks said “Following a positive meeting this afternoon between Horse Racing Ireland and the Molony family, Thurles Race Company will facilitate the continuation of horse racing at Thurles Racecourse until March 2026, with operational responsibility of the racecourse passing to Horse Racing Ireland.
“Today’s agreement, made possible in conjunction with the Association of Irish Racecourses, the IHRB, and the support of the wider industry, will see Thurles Racecourse fulfil its 11 fixtures through to March 2026, resuming as scheduled on Thursday, October 9.
“Keeping Thurles operational until March of next year affords all interested parties time to consider a longer-term plan for the racecourse.”
Multiple champion trainer Willie Mullins was among those who expressed their disappointment when the original closure news broke, saying at the time it had come as a “major shock”, adding: “It will be a huge blow for Irish racing, more specifically Irish jump racing and winter jump racing “Thurles is a track that always had beautiful ground in the winter when other tracks couldn’t.”
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