Thurles Racecourse Overview

Ireland is the home of horse racing; despite its relatively small size, the number of jockeys and legendary stables heralding from the Emerald Isle is simply staggering. Thurles Racecourse is one of many that embodies this nationwide tradition, and it is a real testament to the strength of the sport in Ireland and how it maintains a vital place in its culture and tradition.

Given it is such a revered sport and plays such a profound role in the local, rural Irish economy, the competition among jockeys, stables and racecourses is highly competitive. Thurles’ ability to withstand substantial social and economic changes in such a relatively small town is one of the many reasons it’s considered an elite racecourse, holding its own when ranked among the most famous courses like The Curragh Racecourse and Punchestown.

While Downpatrick is the oldest course in the country, dating back a whopping 339 years, Thurles' first race took place in 1732, so there isn’t too much to split them. The course's age provides it with significant standing in the eyes of many. It has been maintained and managed by the Molony family for generations, making it the only privately-owned racecourse currently in Ireland.

The family ownership ensures that it maintains a close connection to the people of Thurles, and as the cornerstone of the town, it’s a source of enormous local pride.

Racing events held at Thurles

Thurles often acts as a warm-up course for big, international race meets like Cheltenham. The iconic Tipperary course has played host to some of the biggest names in the sport, including modern-day Irish horse racing icons like Davy Russell and Ruby Walsh, who have graced the turf at Thurles racecourse, and other legendary jockeys like AP McCoy, who have also come out on top at Thurles over the years.

Events occur at Thurles all year round, and one of the key factors that helps the course stand out among many other racecourses in Ireland is its ability to withstand all types of weather conditions. Whereas some racecourses will essentially shut up shop for the winter months or have great difficulty draining excessive water, Thurles has historically been able to host races all year around. While there have been some exceptional issues where extreme weather has halted proceedings, it is one of the most robust racecourses throughout the Emerald Isle.

Current big names with a Thurles Racecourse connection

Grand National, Gold Cup and Irish Champion Hurdle jockey Rachael Blackmore was born just a 20-minute drive from Thurles Racecourse. It is a course she knows all too well, and the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year 2021 is one of the most recognizable faces in Irish sport, with many commentators believing her best years are still to come. Still at a relatively young age for a jockey, Rachael could quickly become the most outstanding Irish jockey of all time.

Although the course started with a reasonably thin fixture list, it has grown over the years to become one of the most prolific and active in the country’s biggest county. As previously mentioned, the racecourses' ability to plough on with races, regardless of the conditions, is a unique selling point. If a race is postponed or cancelled at Thurles, then you know there’s been a mammoth weather event. Undoubtedly, the three top races at Thurles Racecourse include:

● The Coolmore EBF Mares Novice Chase

● The Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle

● The Kinloch Brae Chase

The latter is the jewel in the crown and the standout meet on the calendar, attracting the biggest audiences and the highest volume of gambling activity, both at the meet and online.

Thurles horse racing continues to attract crowds

To contextualize just how much of a stalwart Thurles is in the broader landscape of Irish professional sport, you only need to look at when the first race meet occurred. The 1732 race weekend at Thurles occurred over:

● 95 years before the first Cheltenham Gold Cup

● 100 years before the first Grand National

● Nearly 150 years before the first Kentucky Derby

As it is a town with a population of less than 10,000, the presence and continued success of the racecourse is integral to the town's vibrancy. It is the beating heart of a traditional Irish community and continues to provide opportunities and employment to a large percentage of the town’s citizens during the racing season.

While some other races might attract larger global audiences, Thurles is renowned, especially among ardent Irish horse racing fans. Some might say that the larger races have branched out and now have too much commercial crossover, losing the essence of their initial appeal. However, that definitely isn’t the case for Thurles, as it has maintained strong Irish horse racing traditions for nearly 300 years.

The facilities at Thurles Racecourse

While some countries might consider horse racing a niche or secondary sport, Ireland focuses on Gaelic sports, rugby and horse racing. Despite having a population of just over five million, as per the 2023 consensus, over one million people attend race meets in Ireland each calendar year.

The global competition, particularly across the sea in England, means that Thurles racecourse doesn't just have to excel at putting on high-class races but that the overall package of entertainment and hospitality is able to compete with some of the big meets in England too.

Thurles Racecourse has many bars and places where meet attendees can fill their boots. However, given the relatively small size of the town, they also have strong working relationships with many hotels and B&Bs in the area during the big weekends to ensure that all of those who travel from across Ireland or further afield are accommodated.

Entertainment during the big meets is vital to keep punters returning every year, and many Thurles residents deem it a collegial effort to ensure that race attendees have an excellent time at the course, so they will return the following year. It’s this community-wide effort and an emphasis on local service that maintains the authentic feel and keeps it a staple in the calendar for horse racing fans throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Best bets at Thurles Racecourse

Gambling on horse racing is one of the most prominent ancillary markets in Irish sport. Throughout the course of the year, millions of euros end up exchanging hands, and unlike other sports, the beauty of horse racing betting is that you can often find significant value. While those who understand the sport will have a better idea of how the sport works, there's no guaranteed way of making money when gambling on horse racing.

Understanding the pedigree of horses, how the weather impacts the race and the quality of the jockey are just a handful of variables that seasoned Irish horse racing gamblers consider. Weather, in particular, plays a key role at Thurles Racecourse, as we have already discussed. Due to it being an all-terrain turf, it can impact the horses and the way they perform, which can also provide value in the gambling market.

Despite the traditional, rural Irish feel to Thurles, the gambling market that underpins the top races has moved effortlessly online, and it is one of multiple reasons why the course has been able to adapt and continues to remain a constant in Irish horse racing.

Regardless of whether you bet on the course or online, you must always gamble responsibly. It’s important that you avoid gambling on a sport you don't fully understand, and that you take the time to build your knowledge to make your betting experience more enjoyable. Only ever bet with money you can afford to lose and don't get too hung up on the results, and you'll be able to supplement your trip to Thurles racecourse with a bit more excitement.

Trivia about Thurles Racecourse

● The first race took place nearly 300 years ago.

● It is the only privately owned racecourse in Ireland.

● Thurles Racecourse is currently third generation owned.

● Notable for its strength in all-terrain, not just during peak seasons.