New watering infrastructure for Thurles racecourse not expected to be installed until 2026, as per jockeys' association's announcement.
Thurles Racecourse Closes Due to Costly Regulatory Compliance
Thurles Racecourse, Ireland's sole privately owned track, has closed its doors effective immediately, citing rising costs of compliance with new regulatory standards as the primary reason. The decision was announced by the Molony family, who have owned and operated the racecourse for over a century.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) jointly published a Racecourse Manual in June 2025, outlining minimum requirements and standards for racecourse facilities. Among these standards, racecourses are required to have an appropriate watering system capable of applying as much water as required by the IHRB Clerk of the Course, including a consistent water distribution system with pumps and backups, and a reliable water supply such as a reservoir or borehole.
Regrettably, Thurles racecourse does not currently possess a watering system, and this lack contributed to the track losing three meetings in the previous autumn due to unsuitably fast ground conditions. Installing even a basic watering system would require an investment of at least €300,000. Additionally, other aged facilities at Thurles meant that the track was at risk of losing its racing licence under the new licensing requirements set by the manual.
Henry de Bromhead, a trainer with concerns about the cost of compliance with the new IHRB and HRI guidelines, has expressed concerns that these costs could be too expensive for smaller tracks to bear. Champion trainer Willie Mullins, however, has questioned the need for Thurles to have a watering system, stating that the track's National Hunt meetings do not typically require extensive watering.
The IHRB's racecourse manual is intended to support racecourses but "not to impose sudden demands or create barriers." The IJA, representing jockeys, has stated that they hope racing can continue in Thurles with a proper watering system in place. The IJA secretary, Andrew Coonan, stated that he was not aware of any conditions imposed by the IHRB beyond the provision of a watering facility for jockeys.
Suzanne Eade, HRI chief executive, is due to meet the Molony family this week to discuss their position on Thurles' closure. The IHRB has stated that it supports continuous improvements but does not impose immediate or inflexible obligations. Reports suggest a near €3 million cost to bring Thurles facility up to HRI standards, with the Molony family being required to pay 60% under HRI capital development fund rules.
As Thurles racecourse closes, the future of racing in the region remains uncertain. The IHRB and HRI will continue to work with the Molony family and other stakeholders to find a solution that ensures the long-term sustainability of racing in Thurles and across Ireland.
Table: Requirements and Thurles' Status
| Requirement | Details | Thurles Status | |---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------| | Watering system capability | Must apply as much water as IHRB Clerk requires; consistent irrigation including pump and backup system; reliable water supply (reservoir/borehole) | Thurles lacks any watering system | | Investment needed for basic watering system | Minimum €300,000 | Not yet installed | | Compliance with overall manual standards | Includes facilities like stabling, veterinary, paddock, medical, weighroom | Aged and non-compliant facilities at Thurles | | Current status | Thurles racecourse closed with immediate effect due to inability to meet new standards and cost pressures | Closed as of August 2025 |
[1] The Irish Times [2] RTE News [3] Horse Racing Ireland [5] IHRB Racecourse Manual
- The lack of a watering system at Thurles Racecourse, a fundamental requirement outlined in the IHRB Racecourse Manual, contributed to the track's closure due to its inability to meet the new regulatory standards.
- Despite criticisms from some trainers about the cost of compliance with the new IHRB and HRI guidelines, Henry de Bromhead's concerns regarding small tracks' capacity to bear these expenses were reflected in Thurles Racecourse's decision to close due to the expensive installation of a basic watering system.
