Event tabled for Good Friday in Ireland: Race scheduled for the initial time, announced in 2026 listings
Horse Racing Ireland Unveils 2026 Fixture List with Changes at Thurles
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has released its fixture list for the upcoming year, with several changes planned for Thurles racecourse. The future of the track, Ireland's only privately owned racecourse under the Molony family, was thrown into uncertainty last month.
The total number of fixtures will remain at 391 for the third successive year, with four 'flooding' fixtures held in reserve, and there will be seven blank Sundays, one more than in 2025. However, fixtures at Thurles post-March will not be confirmed until the track's future is resolved.
HRI has taken over stewardship of Thurles racecourse, and Jessica Cahalan of Laytown races will handle operations for Thurles from October to March. Peter Roe, former Fairyhouse racecourse manager, will oversee the management of Thurles.
Tipperary has 11 fixtures scheduled from April to October, but some meetings may need to be moved once the all-weather project commences development. Provisions have been made for the reallocation of fixtures to other tracks if necessary. HRI has made allowances for Thurles in the jumps fixture list, moving one meeting from mid-March to late January and two October cards to November and December.
The Curragh meeting is taken from the track's current fixture allocation, meaning the Irish Guineas meeting will revert to two days. The fixture list for 2026 includes changes to assist with ground management at Thurles.
Good Friday is a significant day in the racing calendar, but betting shops in Ireland are not permitted to open for business on Good Friday under existing legislation. In contrast, betting shops in Britain have been permitted to open on Good Friday since 2008, and the practice was extended to 2014. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), formed as a result of the Gambling Regulation Act enacted in October 2024, will decide whether Irish bookmakers can operate on Good Friday.
Sharon Byrne, chairperson of the Irish Bookmakers' Association (IBA), has expressed hope that the GRAI will address the issue of betting shop opening hours in the coming months. The GRAI will also be responsible for regulating betting in Ireland from 2024 onward, taking over from the existing bodies.
The Good Friday fixture at the Curragh is awarded on a two-year basis. Betting on horse racing is a significant part of the Irish culture, and the decision on Good Friday trading hours could have a significant impact on the industry.
The Curragh meeting in the 2026 fixture list includes a meeting on April 3, marking a return to the track's current fixture allocation after the Irish Guineas meeting was reduced to two days. The changes at Thurles are part of a broader effort by HRI to manage the racing calendar effectively and ensure the best possible conditions for both horses and spectators.
