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Thurles Racecourse "to close with immediate effect"
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Fri 1 Aug 2025
Thurles Racecourse, Ireland's only privately-owned track, which has been staging racing almost 300 years, is "to close with immediate effect" according to a statement from Riona Molony, whose family have owned the Tipperary venue since the early 1900s.
Molony said on Friday morning: “It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today.
"We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing and we are most grateful to our extended racecourse family, our dedicated staff, generous sponsors, loyal patrons and the wider racing community for all your support.
"Horseracing is part of the fabric of our family, and we have been very fortunate to have made so many great friends within the industry over the years. My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators."
She added: “Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away in 2015, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we’ve managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that.
"The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live. Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor.
“We’re going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options.”
Thurles is licensed to race until the end of the year and had been allotted 11 fixtures for the 2025-26 season, the first of which is due to take place in October.
The first recorded race meeting took place there in 1732. Riona Molony’s late husband Pierce took over from his father Dr Paddy Molony in 1974, and together with their family they have maintained the business for the past 50 years.
Thurles stages three Grade Two races, the most significant of which is the Kinloch Brae Chase in January. The race has been won by such as Don Cossack, who went on to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory, Native Upmanship and Newmill.
Other great horses to have graced the track on their way to Cheltenham include Honeysuckle and Sizing John.
Tony McCoy and Rachael Blackmore both had the first winners of their respective careers at the track.
Hewick win at Thurles this year
As recently as March, Hewick won there on his way to a Grand National bid, and Thurles has proved a popular stopping point for almost every big name in the sport.
Tralee was the last Irish racecourse to shut its doors in 2007.
HRI reaction
Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said on Friday afternoon: “Thurles Racecourse has been a cornerstone of the National Hunt programme in Ireland during the winter months, and today’s news was a surprise to everyone in the industry.
“I am sure this announcement was a hugely difficult one for Riona Molony, and her daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate, and I respect their decision to take a step back from running racing at Thurles.
“Riona’s husband Pierce contributed significantly to the Irish racing industry for many years and the Molony family, led by Riona, certainly stepped up following his untimely passing.
“I will be seeking a meeting with the Molony family in the near future to discuss their position.”
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