Thurles Racecourse: A Farewell to Ireland's Iconic Privately Owned Venue

Thurles Racecourse: A Farewell to Ireland's Iconic Privately Owned Venue

Thurles Racecourse, Ireland's only privately owned racecourse, has made the decision to close its doors with immediate effect. The Molony family, who have been in charge of the track since the early 1900s, have announced their retirement from racing at the iconic venue. The family has been a significant part of National Hunt Racing in Ireland for the past 50 years, with Pierce Molony taking over from his father in 1974. The decision to retire comes with gratitude towards the staff, sponsors, racing community, local businesses, and racegoers who have been part of Thurles Racecourse's rich legacy.

Riona Molony, the spokesperson for the family, expressed her appreciation for the support they have received over the years. She highlighted the honor and privilege it has been for the family to run Thurles Racecourse and thanked everyone involved in the racing industry for their contributions. The family looks forward to attending races as spectators in the future, as they embark on a new chapter after the retirement announcement.

Following the passing of Pierce Molony in 2015, Riona, along with their four daughters and dedicated staff, has continued to operate the racecourse. However, the increasing demands of the industry and the cost of doing business have played a role in the family's decision to retire. Despite being fully licensed to race until December 31 and having 11 fixtures scheduled for the 2025/26 racing calendar, the Molony Family has decided not to race at Thurles Racecourse again. They plan to take some time to relax and consider their options now that the decision has been made public.