Thurles racecourse has been saved from closure until at least March 2026 following a meeting between Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Molony family, the track's owners. The course was set to shut immediately after the Molonys announced their retirement from racing on August 1, citing rising costs and industry demands.
The agreement, announced on Thursday, will see the racecourse fulfil its 11 scheduled fixtures, resuming on October 9. Operational responsibility will pass to HRI, with support from the Association of Irish Racecourses and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
Trainer Willie Mullins, who had expressed dismay at the original closure, welcomed the reprieve, calling the track a vital part of Irish jump racing, especially for its winter ground conditions. Thurles is known for hosting Grade 2 races, including the Kinloch Brae Chase, won by top horses such as Don Cossack and Allaho.
The extension allows time to develop a longer-term plan for the racecourse's future. The Molony family had owned the track since the early 1900s. No blame was attached to the course following a fatal accident in February involving jockey Michael O'Sullivan.
