Iconic racecourse where jockey Mikey O'Sullivan tragically died closes with immediate effect
The privately-owned track in Tipperary has ceased all operations and cancelled all 11 of its planned fixtures.
2
Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Mikey O'Sullivan was killed earlier this year racing at Thurles
Credit: PA
2
The Tipperary track has closed with immediate effect
Credit: Sportsfile
Jockey
The Cheltenham Festival-winning rider lost his life after falling in a horrendous five-horse pile-up which forced the rest of the February meeting to be abandoned.
Riona Molony, whose family have owned the venue since the early 1900s, said rising costs were one of the reasons they decided to pull the plug.
She said: "It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today.
"We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing and we are most grateful to our extended racecourse family, our dedicated staff, generous sponsors, loyal patrons and the wider racing community for all your support.
"Horseracing is part of the fabric of our family, and we have been very fortunate to have made so many great friends within the industry over the years.
"My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators.
"Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away in 2015, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we've managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that.
Most read in Horse Racing
"The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live.
"Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor.
"We're going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options."
More to follow.
FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org
.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare –
Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
9 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Coriander and hummus products recalled over listeria concerns
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued a recall alert for a number of potted coriander products along with a single hummus product due to the possible presence of listeria monocytogenes. The recall affects nine potted coriander products provided by O'Hanlon Herbs to a range of major supermarkets including Aldi, Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Marks & Spencer and Supervalu. The affected coriander products are: Aldi: Egans Potted Coriander, Batches 273, 275, Display Until Dates - 05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025, 10/08/2025, 11/08/2025 Tesco: Tesco Growing Herb Coriander, Batches 273, 275, Display Until Dates - 03/08/2025, 04/08/2025, 05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025 Dunnes Stores: O'Hanlon Herbs Potted Coriander, Batches 273, 275, 277, 283, Display Until Dates - 03/08/2025, 05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025, 10/08/2025 Dunnes Stores: O'Hanlon Herbs Compostable Potted Coriander, Batches 273, 275, 277, Display Until Dates - 03/08/2025, 05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025, 10/08/2025 Nolans: O'Hanlon Herbs Potted Coriander, Batch 273, Display Until Date - 07/08/2025 Mortons: O'Hanlon Herbs Potted Coriander, Batch 273, Display Until Date - 07/08/2025 Marks & Spencer: M&S Irish Coriander, Batches 273, 275, Display Until Date- 06/08/2025, 09/08/2025 Lidl: O'Hanlon Herbs Potted Coriander, Batches 273, 275, 277, Display Until Date - L3104, L3105, L3106, L3107, L3201 Supervalu: Supervalu Irish Coriander, Batches 273, 275, 277, 283, Display Until Date - 1M0308P1, 1M0408P1, 1M0508P1, 1M0608P1, 1M0708P1, 1M0808P1, 1M0908P1, 1M1008P1 The FSAI has also issued a recall notice for a batch of Tom & Ollie Traditional Hummus due to the possible presence of listeria monocytogenes. The affected product is a 150g pack of Tom & Ollie Traditional Hummus with batch code VG189 and a use by date of 8 August. Consumers are advised not to eat any of the implicated products. The FSAI has requested that retailers remove the products from sale, and display recall notices at point-of-sale. It has also requested that wholesalers contact affected customers, recall the relevant batch and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers. Caterers who may be in possession of the impacted products have been asked not to use them. The FSAI said that symptoms of listeria can include mild flu-like symptoms such as gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Symptoms can be more severe in rare cases, it added. Last week, batches of eight spinach, mixed leaves, rocket and lettuce products sold in Irish supermarkets were recalled due to the detection of listeria monocytogenes. Two further spinach products sold in Irish supermarkets were recalled in late July with seven spinach and mixed leaves products having been recalled previously. Over 200 ready-made meals produced by Ballymaguire Foods were also recalled last month.
Irish Independent
17 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Luxembourg axe star man Gerson Rodrigues after controversial appearance at home to Ireland
Their manager Luc Holtz had already paid the price for his role in the episode by being denied a contract extension. Ireland's friendly in Luxembourg in June was marked by protests from home supporters at the presence of Rodrigues in the side, their second home friendly of that June window. He had been convicted of a domestic abuse charge and was given an 18-month suspended sentence but politicians and women's rights groups there protested at the fact he was being selected. Irish fans in the stadium joined in the protests, with travelling supporters from Ireland displaying the red card and booing any time Rodrigues touched the ball. Long-serving coach Holtz had defended, before the game and in the aftermath, his call to select the player saying there was no legal block on his selection. Last month the Luxembourg FA decided, after a 'thorough analysis' of the matter, not to extend Holtz's contract when his current deal runs out in December, though they plan for him to be in charge for World Cup qualifiers, including a date with Northern Ireland. The FLF also apologised to a local journalist who had been barred from attending a press conference over his coverage of the affair. And now they have stated that Rodrigues – who has since moved to a club in Thailand – will not be selected for national team duty. They begin their World Cup campaign at home to Northern Ireland next month. 'The image of the Luxembourg football institution and all its members has been affected by the 'Gerson Rodrigues affair'. We would like to point out that the reputation of the Federation and its members is above any individuality and sporting considerations,' the FLF said. 'Despite the advice and recommendations that the Federation officials tried to give to the player concerned, he did not respond favourably. 'Consequently, the board of directors has decided that the aforementioned player is no longer eligible for selection until further notice for future international matches of the national team.'
Agriland
24 minutes ago
- Agriland
Modular calf housing units sought for Moorepark
Teagasc is currently inviting tenders from suppliers for modular calf housing units at Moorepark. This procurement process forms part of Teagasc's strategy to improve the calf-rearing infrastructure at the Co. Cork facility. According to the tender documents, the modular units will provide "high-welfare, thermally efficient, and hygienic accommodation for calves up to 12 weeks-of-age". "The solution is intended to address capacity constraints during block calving periods," the documents add. Moorepark is a leading national research and advisory centre focused on sustainable animal production systems, including dairy and young stock development. Teagasc said that the modular units must be prefabricated, freestanding, and capable of being installed with minimal groundworks. The authority noted the units are intended for "seasonal or flexible deployment". Teagasc is seeking proposals from experienced suppliers who can provide units that meet or exceed the technical specification, deliver to site, and carry out or support on-site assembly. The units must be easy to clean, have good ventilation and comply with Irish and EU animal housing standards. The modular calf housing units will be used to support rearing up to 120 calves up to 12 weeks-of-age. The tender documents state that each pen should house 8–10 calves up to 100kg. The closing date for tenders is 2:00p.m on August 14, 2025.
