THURLES Racecourse is open to investing in its stableyard following a shortage of boxes at their opening meeting of the season on Thursday.

A total of 121 horses ran on the eight-race card but, with only 90 racecourse stables available, 31 horses had to stay in their horseboxes until a stable was vacated.

Following complaints from his own stable staff, trainer Gordon Elliott tweeted his dissatisfaction with the situation. Track manager Kate Molony explained that the late decision to divide a race had led to the problem.

Molony told The Irish Field: “We’ve never had as big a shortage before. It’s a pity as the place was looking really well and the track itself was immaculate. Trainers are very keen to run horses here and they wanted a race divided at the declaration stage.”

Privately owned by the Molony famiy, Thurles has not always participated in the capital development schemes offered by Horse Racing Ireland. However, Kate Molony says she will be speaking to racing officials about upgrading the stableyard.

Michael Grassick, CEO of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, had limited sympathy for the racecourse. “It’s an unusual situation as balloting in National Hunt races has been rare in recent times. So there’s two ways of looking at this – some trainers want races divided above all other concerns, and others believe stabling is a priority.”

He cited Tramore as another example of a track where sometimes there are more runners than stables. Trainers are usually advised by the IRTA newsletter and by Turf Club texts when these situations are likely to occur.

Grassick added: “Some tracks are going to have to build more stables. In my opinion 90 stables is not enough for any track. Kate Molony tells me she is going to approach Horse Racing Ireland for grant aid and I hope that will happen soon.”