The Future Of Thurles Racecourse: A Historic Track At A Turning Point
County Tipperary’s Thurles Racecourse has long been a cornerstone of Irish racing history, hosting legendary finishes since the 18th century. As one of the oldest venues in the country, the track has established itself as an essential stalwart of the National Hunt season.
However, that centuries-old tradition looked to be over when the track suddenly shut its gates last year. Fortunately, the closure proved short-lived, with racing resuming much faster than anyone anticipated. Here is a look at why Thurles faced the brink in 2025 and what the future holds for this cherished jumping venue.
The Shocking Racecourse Closure
The Molony family had owned and run Thurles for a century, but that remarkable era of family stewardship looked to have reached its end in August 2025. Facing a combination of soaring operational costs and the steep demands of modern racing, the family announced the immediate closure of the track. The sudden decision forced the cancellation of scheduled meetings and left the Irish racing community reeling.
The news triggered an immediate outpouring of concern across the industry. Trainers and punters alike scrambled to defend Thurles’ vital role in the winter jumps calendar, with experts pointing out that its sharp, well-draining track offers far better winter ground than most other venues during the wettest months of the year.
Recognising exactly what was at stake, the Molony family and Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) entered urgent discussions to see if the venue could be saved, leading to a swift turnaround plan that put racing back on the agenda.
Temporary Reprieve And Continued Racing
HRI took over operational responsibility to ensure Thurles reopened in October 2025. This vital intervention rescued the Irish jumps calendar by restoring 11 specific fixtures for the season.
Had the original closure been permanent, a massive chunk of the winter schedule would have vanished. Anyone checking the daily racecards or ante-post markets on NetBet would have found a glaring empty space where this historic Tipperary venue usually sits, completely upending early-season form reading for trainers and fans.
Thankfully, the most recent fixtures went ahead without a hitch in March 2026. Both parties are now using this crucial stabilisation period to plan for the upcoming 2026-2027 campaign. Because the gates remain open, racing enthusiasts can still enjoy a responsible flutter on the action at Thurles for at least another year.
Extending Operations At Thurles for 2027
Horse Racing Ireland and the Molony family hammered out a fresh agreement in April 2026, officially keeping the gates open through to March 2027. The wider industry is clearly delighted with the news. Trainers desperately need scheduling flexibility to keep their yards ticking over during the harsh winter months, and preserving a historic venue like Thurles ensures they retain access to a top-tier testing ground.
Why Thurles Racecourse Matters To Irish Racing
Thurles acts as a strategic venue and an essential proving ground. The challenging right-handed track and reliable winter surface provide ideal early-season prep runs for contenders. This proves especially vital for horses being aimed at the major spring festivals, such as Cheltenham.
The track has produced plenty of notable winners over the past century. It regularly attracts promising novices looking to test their jumping fluency and stamina in a proper race setting. Horse trainers get a much better read on a horse’s actual race fitness under these conditions than they ever could just schooling them on the home gallops.
Thurles’ Potential Future
HRI taking on a longer-term management role remains a strong possibility to secure the course’s future within Irish racing. Fresh investment could modernise the aging facilities without disrupting the racing calendar.
Alternatively, Thurles might adopt a hybrid management model where external stakeholders, HRI, and the Molony family share operational duties. Diversifying the grounds to host non-racing events also offers a highly practical route to long-term financial stability. Ultimately, the priority is building a sustainable partnership that keeps the turnstiles clicking for years to come.
