THERE was relief and delight throughout the Irish racing industry this week when Thurles was given the green light to race on under the stewardship of Horse Racing Ireland until March 2026 - though calls remain for a solution to be found in order to secure the track’s long-term racing future.

It was announced late on Thursday that the Thurles Race Company would “facilitate the continuation of racing” at the track this season following key discussions this week between HRI and the Molony family, who made the shock announcement earlier this month that they would no longer be running fixtures at the venue. This will be done “with operational responsibility of the racecourse passing to HRI.”

A joint statement from the parties said: “This 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 9th. Keeping Thurles operational until March of next year affords all interested parties time to consider a longer-term plan for the racecourse.”

Michael Lowry, TD for the Tipperary North constituency, has been vocal in his support for seeing racing continue at Thurles, and insists the track “must be preserved long-term” in the interest of “common, practical and financial sense”.

Speaking to The Irish Field, Lowry said of the short-term agreement: “Both sides are to be complimented. The Molonys have been anxious to retain Thurles as a racecourse. Under their family circumstances, and because of the level of expenditure required, it just simply wasn’t feasible for them to do it. This is an interim solution and it guarantees racing there until next March - that’s to be welcomed.

“I was obviously in contact with both parties from an early stage. I dealt with Horse Racing Ireland and the Minister [For Agriculture, Food and The Marine], and I could see from the outset there was a willingness to find a resolution and to keep the track with its present purpose.

Permanent solution

“What this does is give time to everyone to consider their positions, and to hopefully work on a more permanent resolution going forward. From the Molony’s perspective, this is a very valuable asset. Riona and the team have done a magnificent job and the track is in splendid condition - the place never looked better. There has been a good level of expenditure on it over the last five years. It would be a great pity to see that not used any more.

“I have a racing background, I’m involved in National Hunt, and I fully appreciate the vital importance of this place as a winter track. All you have to do is ask any of the top trainers; they all have glowing tributes to pay about how you can race there in all sorts of weather. That’s something that’s needed in the industry.”

Lowry described the Molony family’s position as “understandable” and that HRI should be afforded time to come to a solution given “this came as a surprise to them.”

“In my view, the answer rests with HRI,” Lowry said on the topic of finding the right-fit long-term for Thurles.

“They are the governing body and have all the facts and figures. They already have management structures in place that can be shared with other tracks. For the Molonys, it became a huge personal burden of responsibility and, with new rules and regulations, it’s very difficult to keep up the standards that have prevailed there.

“The bottom line is that this is a gem in the racing jewel. In my view, it must be preserved long-term. Now that we have the time, we can plan ahead and hopefully find a resolution that keeps the track in racing and obviously satisfies the needs and expectations of the Molony family.”

Some have indicated there are optimistic vibes about fresh parties being interested in Thurles’ long-term future, and Lowry added: “Of course, the track is a vital piece of strategic infrastructure. It’s already in place. It would cost billions to replicate that in any other track. It makes common, practical and financial sense, to keep the track and build on what we have there; to improve it where improvement is needed.

“Other than that, it obviously has a commercial use and, bottom line, we don’t want to have to explore that avenue, but I think most of the interest in relation to Thurles Racecourse would come from commercial interest. That would mean HRI would lose out on what is a hugely important asset to the industry as a whole.”

Trainer reaction

Noel Meade and Mouse Morris, two of Ireland’s most decorated active trainers in National Hunt racing, were among those to welcome the news that Thurles was granted a short-term opportunity to race on.

“It’s great news for everybody in racing,” Meade told The Irish Field.

“As Willie Mullins has said, it would have been a travesty to see Thurles go. Hopefully something will be able to be put together now to secure the long-term future of the track. There should be more time at least to get plans in place before next spring, a system that will suit everybody.

“The Molonys are lovely people. Wouldn’t you always love going down to Thurles to meet them all? They’re stars. It was said to see that the situation reached where it did with them but I can fully understand where they’re coming from.”

Morris added: “It’s very important for everybody that Thurles is kept going - not just this season, but into the future. I know they haven’t had much time, but there needs to a long-term plan in place.

“Thurles is a great facility for educating young horses with the schooling races that take place there. So often you’d see Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott bringing good horses for schooling races, and it’s a big asset for the industry.”

Reacting to the news, Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association chief executive Feidhlim Cunningham noted: “We’re very pleased that a solution has been found for the short-term, and we must commend both sides on getting it done. We just hope that in the interim, between now and March 2026, that they can make a long-term plan to keep racing going at Thurles. The vibes are positive.

“Given the importance of the track to Irish racing, we’re delighted for our members that this position has been made possible for racing to continue there this season.”

Rumours have been reported of Arena Racing Company perhaps having an eye on the long-term future at the Co Tipperary track, as was hinted at with Dundalk Stadium in recent years. The group is made up of 16 racecourses in the UK, including four of Britain’s six all-weather tracks.

When asked about if the organisation had any potential interest in matters at Thurles, a spokesperson for Arena Racing Company told The Irish Field that the organisation does not tend to comment on speculation.