‘Positive meeting’ leads to continuation of Thurles

Thurles Racecourse has been saved until at least March 2026 following a meeting between Horse Racing Ireland and owners the Molony family on Thursday.

It was announced on August 1 the course was to close with immediate effect after the Molony family, who had owned the track since the early 1900s, decided to retire from racing.

Ireland’s only privately-owned racecourse, Thurles had 11 scheduled fixtures for the 2025/26 season.

A joint-statement from HRI and the Molony family 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.”