THE new all-weather track at Tipperary will not open until late in 2027 at the earliest, The Irish Field has learned.

Although Horse Racing Ireland closed the tendering process in 2023 a contractor has yet to be appointed due to delays in getting the project signed off by various Government departments.

Originally costed at €18 million, the planned facility is sure to cost the State significantly more money because of the delay.

One media report this week suggests HRI is seeking approval to borrow between €25-€35 million to deliver the project.

This week the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon confirmed that his Department has received a ‘Final Business Case’ from HRI for the development.

In a written answer to a question from Cork North-West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea, the Minster said: “As part of the Business Case, HRI have set out a financial plan which includes a borrowing proposal. Any HRI borrowing proposals separately require consent from both of my colleagues, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation and the Minister for Finance. This aspect is currently being considered as part of the overall approval process.”

Spending by commercial State-owned companies is subject to review by the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA), which provides financial and commercial advice to Government Ministers on the performance and strategy of these companies. As planning permission for the project is already in place, and with NewERA’s review complete (or underway), the final ministerial/Government approval is expected before the end of the year.

Tipperary County Council granted planning approval in 2022 and in early 2023 HRI obtained planning permission from An Bord Pleanala for the all-weather track. At that time HRI envisaged starting construction in spring 2025 and finishing by the end of 2026.

The tendering process carried on through 2023 and in April 2024 the HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade said: “We are hoping the track itself will be up and available by the end of 2026 and fully operational by 2027.”

In response to a query from The Irish Field this week, HRI said: “HRI is awaiting final approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine [DAFM] to proceed with the development of a second All Weather Track in Ireland at Tipperary racecourse.

“The approval of the Final Business Case, which has been under active consideration by DAFM since the start of the year, is the last permission required under the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines. It will allow HRI to proceed with completing the procurement process and awarding a contract for the works with a main contractor and the specialist sub-contractors providing the lighting and surface for the new track. It is hoped that contracts will be signed in November at which point further details will be announced.

“It is anticipated that work will commence on the new all-weather track in Q1 2026 to be completed by the end of Q3 2027 with a view to staging a full winter race programme in 2027/28. Tipperary Racecourse will close for racing during construction of the AWT and HRI will announce alternative temporary venues for their fixtures in 2026 once contracts are signed.”