Thurles Racecourse will reopen and racing will continue until at least March next year, Horse Racing Ireland has announced.
Ireland's only privately owned racecourse had closed with immediate effect earlier this month, with a challenging financial landscape cited as one of the factors by owner Riona Molony, but will now stay open as a longer-term plan for its viability is considered.
A statement from HRI said: "Following a positive meeting this afternoon between Horse Racing Ireland and the Molony family, Thurles Race Company will facilitate the continuation of horse racing at Thurles Racecourse until March 2026, with operational responsibility of the racecourse passing to Horse Racing Ireland.
"Today's agreement, made possible in conjunction with the Association of Irish Racecourses, the IHRB, and the support of the wider industry, will see Thurles Racecourse fulfil its 11 fixtures through to March 2026, resuming as scheduled on Thursday, 9 October.
"Keeping Thurles operational until March of next year affords all interested parties time to consider a longer-term plan for the racecourse."
In recent times, Thurles has hosted three Grade Two contests each season, with the Kinloch Brae Chase in January being the most high profile. It has been won by the likes of Native Upmanship (three times), Newmill (twice), Hi Cloy and Don Cossack.
Willie Mullins described the closure as a "huge blow for Irish racing", adding: "Thurles is a track that always had beautiful ground in the winter when other tracks couldn’t".
