THE new all-weather track at Tipperary will take a step closer to becoming reality in the minds of racing fans when the 2027 fixture list is published later this month.

November 2027 had been given as the expected opening date but track manager Andrew Hogan reports that the project is ahead of schedule and it could open a month earlier than planned.

The Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon recently paid a visit to the site and, according to a Department spokesperson, was told that the build was “within budget and on course to open in October 2027”.

Hogan said: “Everything is going according to plan at the moment. All the main earthworks are completed, the turf track has been completely re-done and reseeded, and we’re now putting up lighting masts.

“The good weather has been brilliant for us. We had a presentation here for industry stakeholders in June. At the time we were waiting for some ESB poles to be removed. Once they were gone, our builders Atlantic Golf Construction, immediately more than doubled the amount of machines they had on-site every day. It went from around 30 to 80 overnight.”

A lot of work has gone into getting the mix of ingredients right for the all-weather track, which is described as ‘new Polytrack’.

The main component is Wexford sand. “It will be close to what they have in Pau, France,” said Hogan.

He said there are plans to hold another stakeholder information session within the next month.

Last year Horse Racing Ireland was cleared to borrow €34 million to fund the construction of the new all-weather track.

It was immediately decided to close the racecourse for 2026 and reallocate Tipperary’s 11 fixtures.

The all-weather track is expected to be open for galloping all year while the project also includes the construction of a deep sand gallop for National Hunt horses.

The new grandstand and parade ring will not be ready in time for the opening of the all-weather track. The plan is to have temporary facilities in place. Two new stable blocks will have a capacity of 136 stables.

There is also an ambition to establish a training centre at the venue, which would allow new trainers to rent up to 12 stables each.