The End of Thurles Racecourse Marks a Historic Moment in Irish Racing
The closure brings an end to nearly 300 years of racing heritage at one of the sport’s most treasured grassroots venues. Speaking through an official statement, Riona Molony shared the family’s decision, describing it as the conclusion of a remarkable era rooted in tradition, community, and personal dedication. “It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse,” she said. “We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing.”
Thurles, renowned for its undulating track and National Hunt fixtures, holds a unique place in Irish racing history. The racecourse has been under the stewardship of the Molony family since the early 1900s. Riona’s late husband, Pierce Molony, took over from his father, Dr. Paddy Molony, in 1974. Together with their children and loyal staff, the family helped preserve the intimate charm of the track while maintaining its high standards in an increasingly commercial racing world.
Since Pierce’s passing in 2015, Riona has continued to lead operations alongside her four daughters—Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie, and Kate. “With the help of our girls and wonderful staff, we’ve managed to keep the show on the road,” she said. “I know Pierce would be very proud of us.”
Despite being fully licensed to race through December 31 and holding 11 fixtures in the 2025–26 Irish racing calendar, the family has confirmed there will be no more race meetings at Thurles. The decision to step away comes after years of balancing tradition with evolving industry demands. “The girls all have their own families, careers, and lives to live,” Riona explained. “Ever-increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business have also been major factors.”
For generations, Thurles Racecourse served as a key platform for National Hunt development in Ireland. Countless young jockeys, trainers, and horses began their competitive journeys over its testing circuit. Its winter fixtures offered aspiring talent a proving ground that shaped many careers within the sport.
What made Thurles so beloved was not just its history, but its character. It remained a course rooted in people, where patrons returned year after year, and racing was embraced as a way of life. It was a venue where friendships were formed on cold afternoons and memories made on bright spring mornings.
The announcement has drawn widespread attention from the racing community, with many expressing their respect and admiration for the Molonys’ contributions. Thurles was more than just a venue—it was a meeting ground for racing’s loyal base, where horses began their journeys and where fans gathered not for spectacle but for authentic sport.
While the future of the racecourse site remains undecided, Riona offered a message of hope and gratitude: “We’re going to enjoy this time together and relax now that the decision is made and the news is out. My family and I look forward to going racing with you again—as spectators.”
As Ireland bids farewell to its last privately run track, the closure of Thurles Racecourse is a poignant reminder of how much heart, history, and humanity exists within the sport. Its absence will be felt, but its legacy will endure in every jockey who found their rhythm on its slopes and every fan who cheered from its rails.
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