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The incredible popularity of horseracing in Ireland is down to the broad appeal of the sport and of the courses for those who attend the races. There are courses where the beautiful natural setting is the main attraction and in Ireland there is no shortage of those.
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There are other venues which offer a unique view of the sport such as the racing on the beach at Laytown and many others who promote racing as part of a wider cultural festival and holiday appeal in the area. Then there are the courses for the racing purist; those who love the sport, follow the form, and pride themselves on spotting the next big thing. Thurles racing definitely fits into this category and offers an authentic slice of real Irish racing.
Thurles Racecourse is situated 1.5km from the town which shares its name in Co. Tipperary. Close to the main road which links Dublin with Thurles it is easy to find and attracts racing aficionados from near and far for the main events.
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In Thurles racing terms these are National Hunt fixtures held during the season from October to March. The highlight is the Kinloch Brae Chase, a Grade 2 event worth €50,00. Held in late January or early February, the race attracts a first class field and great crowds to this well loved and ancient course. Thurles racing dates back to 1732 and has had a special place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts ever since.
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Thurles Racecourse has a real reputation for introducing future champions and it is a reputation well founded and borne out from the long list of great names which started out here. Among them is Klairon Davis who went on to win both the Arkle and Champion Chase events at Cheltenham and local favourite and three time winner of the Kinloch Brae Chase, Native Upmanship who was also a two-time winner of the Melling Chase, a Grade I event at Aintree. Rule supreme also featured at Thurles before enjoying great success at Cheltenham and Leopardstown, and Vintage Crop who first tasted success on his debut at Thurles and who went on to win the Melbourne Cup.
The appeal of the course is the quality of the racing itself and all the fineries associated with the sport take a back seat.
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The track plays a major role in the high standard of Thurles racing and is considered very fair with a negligible effect on the draw. A right handed oval of 1 ¼ miles there are 7 steeplechase fences and 6 hurdles to negotiate each circuit and on ground which is free draining and stands up to the rigours of the weather and winter racing. This makes for well contested contests throughout the season attracting the trainers who want a serious evaluation and test of their best prospects. It also makes for a greater spectacle for the race fans.
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The facilities at the course offer a no-thrills race day experience but with everything required to enjoy the very best Thurles racing, including a tea room, choice of bars and a self-service restaurant. Corporate hospitality facilities are available in a function room with a capacity for 50 to 100 people. Standard admission costs €15 with good concessionary rates of €7 for students and OAPs. Children under 14 and accompanied by an adult are admitted for free.
What Thurles lacks in fancy facilities it more than makes up for in the incredible atmosphere when races are in full flow. There is something extremely infectious about the passion evident for the sport in the knowledgeable race crowd which attend Thurles races and it is impossible not to get caught up in the excitement.
This website is operated by Websitebrokers Limited and is not affiliated to any one racecourse or group of racecourses. |
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