Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Al Aasy defends Glorious Stakes title in style

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Al Aasy came from last to first to successfully defend his Coral Glorious Stakes crown at Goodwood.

The William Haggas-trained eight-year-old claimed the fifth of his seven Group Three victories to date in this race 12 months ago before going on to land the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury in August and the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on his first start of this season in April.

Despite coming up short in two subsequent outings, most recently finishing seventh in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, Al Aasy was a 13-8 favourite on his return to the Sussex Downs and after being settled at the rear of the five-strong field for much of the way, he picked up well when asked to go about his business by Jim Crowley to run down his rivals and pull three lengths clear of Meydaan at the line.

Haggas told Racing TV: “He’s terrific, isn’t he? He’s a fabulous horse. He’s pretty reliable in this grade when things set up like that.

“They didn’t go very fast today and he usually likes a stronger pace and they slow down a bit, but they picked up well up the straight and he still found a gear. He actually ran on strongly today as usually he wins by half a length or a neck.

“He’s been called some names in the past and I wish people would respect him for what he is. He’s a very talented horse, he just needs to be ridden like that – you need to wait and wait and wait.

“I haven’t put him a Group One race and we think at eight years old this is probably his level, Listed and Group Three races and maybe the odd Group Two are fine for him. He’s a useful horse.

“He’s a very strong traveller, so you can imagine at home when we don’t get them off the bridle he looks like Nijinsky every time! He catches the eye every morning, so he’s been a joy for us.”

National assignment on the radar for Vintage hero Zavateri

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A trip to Ireland for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes could be next on the agenda for Zavateri following his hard-fought success at Goodwood on Tuesday.

Following a successful debut at Salisbury in early June, the Without Parole colt sprang something of a surprise when landing Newmarket’s July Stakes last month, but proved that victory was no fluke when bagging a second Group Two success in the Vintage Stakes on the Sussex Downs.

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton will now look to test her star juvenile at Group One level, potentially at the Curragh on September 14.

“He’s come out of Goodwood great,” said the Blewbury-based trainer.

“He is unbelievable because he thought he’d won his race, he’d switched off and then good old Morris Dancer came for him and you could see him flick his ears, change his legs and almost say ‘oh for goodness sake, come on then!’.

“We’ll look at the Dewhurst but that’s quite a long way off, he’s in the National Stakes too so that would be quite a nice start for him with the timing – National and then Dewhurst.

“He’s fantastic, I’m so proud of him. It’s very, very exciting.”

Racing Bulletin for 02/08/2025

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Latest News and Features

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Today's Racing

Click on course names to view our course guides. Click on race times to access that racecard. Times highlighted in yellow are free races of the day.

Goodwood

Good to Soft

 13:20 13:55 14:30 15:05 15:45 16:20 16:55
Thirsk

Good to Firm

 13:38 14:15 14:50 15:25 16:05 16:40 17:15 17:50
Doncaster

Good to Firm

 13:45 14:20 14:55 15:30 16:10 16:45 17:20
Galway

Good

 14:02 14:37 15:12 15:52 16:27 17:00 17:35 18:05
Newmarket

Good to Soft

 14:10 14:45 15:20 16:00 16:35 17:05
Lingfield Park

Good to Soft

 17:10 17:40 18:15 18:45 19:15 19:45 20:15
Hamilton Park

Good

 17:55 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00

Today's Feature of the Day is...

Trainer/Jockey Combo report

Good luck!


Nans View shades victory in Galway thriller

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Nans View clung on for a narrow success in the Guinness Handicap at Galway.

The feature event on day four of the Festival developed into a real battle up the straight, with Cloud Seeker and Nans View having raced prominently throughout and plenty of challengers seemingly lining up in behind.

However, 12-1 shot Nans View was incredibly game in the hands of Leigh Roche, entering the final furlong with a slight advantage before Cheeky Wink and Acapulco Bay both charged through in the dying strides.

Nans View was a head in front on the line though, with Cheeky Wink taking second, half a length ahead of Acapulco Bay.

Connections of Nans View following her win on Friday evening
Connections of Nans View following her win on Friday evening (PA)

Winning trainer Jarlath Fahey said: “I thought halfway up the straight we were there, the last 50 to 100 yards was very terrifying!

“She is game and she did hang on well in fairness. It was a brilliant ride by Leigh.

“She was second here last year and she had won over a mile and a half in the last race of the year (in October).

“That day Ronan (Whelan, jockey) said she could be a premier handicap filly next year, so it was half in our mind from then and we were minding her.

“A few things went wrong and the yard hasn’t been in form all year. They are running well but they aren’t winning. We minded her for here and thankfully it worked out.”

Turnpike Trip on his way to Galway glory
Turnpike Trip on his way to Galway glory (PA)

Turnpike Trip defied his veteran status with a game victory in the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.

Out of action for three years before returning in May, Charles Byrnes’ 11-year-old had failed to make an impact in two starts but roared back to winning form as a 20-1 chance in the hands of the trainer’s son, Philip.

Turnpike Trip was in the front rank for much of the race and looked to be beaten when headed at the last, only to rally for a length-and-a-half victory over Antrim Coast.

Turnpike Trip and winning connections
Turnpike Trip and winning connections (PA)

The winning trainer said: “It’s great to get the win here. I’ve been coming here for years and I’ve had a few winners but it’s a very hard place to win.

“Philip said he got in under the second last and the last and lost momentum a small bit but he really powered up the hill then.

“It’s a brilliant feeling, especially that Philip rode it. Unfortunately the owner (Peter Acheson) couldn’t make it here today but it’s a great feeling.”

Intense Approach (13-2) made a victorious start over fences in the Guinness Beginners Chase while Mighty Danu was an 11-1 debut winner in the James’s Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden.

Goodwood Eyecatcher Shaman one to remember

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Shaman Champion looks up to winning a similar event after coming up just short in the Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap at Goodwood.

Ridden with patience by Oisin Murphy, Richard Hughes’ youngster came with a winning run in the closing stages but could not get past a very game winner with plenty of experience to his name.

With his own extra experience now under his belt, it would be no surprise to see Shaman Champion in the winner’s enclosure as the season progresses.

Fox too smart in Bentinck contest

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Fox Legacy looks to be a horse on his way up after a runaway success in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes at Goodwood.

Trained by Andrew Balding this season after the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute at the end of last term, the four-year-old has won two valuable handicaps already in 2025.

He was ridden by Oisin Murphy as an 11-4 chance for this step up in calibre, and proved himself more than up to the task with an easy five-and-a-half-length triumph.

Anna-Lisa Balding, wife of Andrew, said: “He’s a lovely horse, he’s done nothing but improve.

“It was lovely to see him go on that ground today, he has got that action so we were sure he would do, but until they do it you never know.

“He’s done it really well, I don’t think I’ve enjoyed watching a race more and the jockey was very complimentary when he got off.”

Kyle Of Lochalsh cantered away with the Coral Goodwood Handicap for Hughie Morrison in another wide-margin win for Murphy.

The five-year-old was fourth in the contest last year and returned on the same mark to start a 5-1 shot.

He made light work of the staying contest against 11 rivals, navigating a flag start to enjoy an easy passage throughout the two-and-a-half-mile trip ahead of a nine-and-half-length victory.

Charlie Harris, assistant to Morrison, said: “We’ve been waiting and waiting for the cut in the ground and what also helped today is that they went a decent pace.

“Now there are lots of good options, especially in France, where we will look at races like the Prix Royal-Oak.

“He didn’t win until he was three and is quite lightly raced for a five-year-old.”

Murphy also struck gold on Seagulls Eleven in the Thoroughbred Stakes to make it a treble on the day.

The Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap then went the way of Hugo Palmer’s Ardisia, who struck at 20-1 under David Probert to defeat 9-4 favourite Shaman Champion.

Push The Limit obliged favourite backers in the closing Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap, triumphing for Ralph Beckett and Hector Crouch as a 5-2 chance.

Davison eager for Nunthorpe challenge with She’s Quality

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Jack Davison has the Nunthorpe in his sights for She’s Quality after another sprint near-miss in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

The filly arrived on the South Downs having been second in three consecutive starts this season, all of which were Group events on British soil over five furlongs.

She was a 9-1 shot under James Ryan and just fell short once again, missing out by only a neck as Jm Jungle prevailed.

“She’s a super filly, that’s four seconds at the highest level,” said Davison.

“Hopefully it’ll all come good in the Nunthorpe, 37 millimetres of rain probably didn’t help her but I’m very proud of her.

“I think she’s by far the best the sprinter in Ireland, it’s a pleasure to have her. It’s a pleasure to bring her over here to compete against the best the UK has to offer.

“She’s only four, she’s improving. I like my horses to be ridden with cover and to come from slightly off the pace, she’s learning all that now.

“It’s a step in the right direction, she was right up there with the best horses in the world and we’re looking forward to the Nunthorpe.”

Behind She’s Quality in third was Harry Eustace’s Time For Sandals, winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when last seen before stepping down to five furlongs at Goodwood.

“Today was to see how competitive she could be under those conditions, under a penalty and back to five furlongs,” said Eustace.

“It’s a sharp track and she certainly looked at home. Over five you need everything to go right and she just couldn’t quite get herself into the gap that she needed to.

“She had another go at them, which is pretty unusual, so I’m very happy.

“My gut feeling watching that was Haydock (for the Sprint Cup), she’s looked more at home over six and really travelled.

“We’ll let the dust settle, I don’t think she’ll go to York. She’s a three-year-old filly and I’m just very keen to mind her.

“It’s all about having a healthy horse next year and if we upset that by being greedy this year that would really annoy me, we’ll try not to do that.”

Henry Dwyer’s Australian sprint star Asfoora was out of the money in seventh, with her trainer saying: “Similar to Ascot (fifth in the King Charles III Stakes), she’s run good without being great.

“I just feel there have been things against her both times and we haven’t had the rub of the green. We’re gearing up towards a good run at York, but just not having the right luck at the moment.

“She probably peaked there around 100 metres out, which we thought she would fitness wise. I’m happy enough, but she just needs to keep taking those steps which I’m confident she will.

“It will be on to York now, assuming she pulls up well.”

Jm Jungle surprises King George rivals

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Jm Jungle caused a minor upset in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

A field of 12 sprinters went to post for the five-furlong dash, with John and Sean Quinn’s high-class handicapper Jm Jungle a 14-1 shot for what was his first appearance at Group-race level.

Smartly away in the hands of Jason Hart, the five-year-old was towards the main group that raced on the far side of the track from the start and showed a willing attitude when the challengers attempted to reel him late on to prevail by a neck.

She’s Quality filled the runner-up spot for her fourth race in succession, with Commonwealth Cup victor Time For Sandals half a length further behind in third.

John Quinn was winning the race for a second time, having saddled Highfield Princess to strike gold two years ago, and his son Sean said: “We looked at the sprint division, decided it wasn’t as strong as usual and that we would throw our hat into the ring.

“We knew he operated on a downhill track like Epsom (won the Dash on Derby day) and that the ground might inconvenience others more than us.

“He probably loves fast ground but he’s versatile and is a horse that gives his all, while he’s a lot stronger this year.

“In the paddock he was walking round like an old pro. These opportunities don’t come around all that often, and when you have a day like this it’s massive.”

Jm Jungle and Jason Hart lead the way at Goodwood
Jm Jungle and Jason Hart lead the way at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

An appearance closer to home is next on Jm Jungle’s agenda, with a tilt at Group One glory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on August 22 – a race also won by Highfield Princess in 2022 – looming large.

“Jason said early in the season that the race he would love to ride him in would be the Nunthorpe, simply because of how fast they go and how much he likes York,” Quinn added.

“That looks the natural next step because he is a Group Two winner now, so you want to be going up from there, and we put him in the Abbaye earlier in the week and that’s a similar race. You get a good draw up the rail and you see how much speed he has – he’d be in that van early doors.

“It was easier watching Highfield Princess because she never looked like getting beat. I was hoping, willing for the line to come in the last furlong today but it did and he toughed it out. The second came to him and I think he went again.”

Rhoscolyn gallops to Golden glory at Goodwood

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Rhoscolyn continued his Goodwood love affair when claiming the valuable Coral Golden Mile.

Travelling kindly for Daniel Tudhope throughout, the seven-year-old was in the ideal place to pounce in the closing stages.

Stoked up by his rider as the race began to unfold, he surged onto the scene inside the final furlong before galloping a length clear of runner-up Ebt’s Guard at the line.

It was the seven-year-old’s second appearance of the week on the Sussex Downs having finished down the field when seen on Wednesday, but by scoring at odds of 11-2, Rhoscolyn went one better than his second in this race in 2021 to register not only his sixth course success, but also give David O’Meara a third win in the contest since 2020.

The trainer said: “The rain came in the nick of time otherwise the boys might not have run him, but he didn’t take anything out of himself when he ran here earlier in the week.

“I think we’ve been fortunate to benefit from the bad luck of others in this race and once again the gaps came for him.

“There’s a nice handicap over seven furlongs or a mile back here for him worth a hundred grand and that’s where he’ll go.”

William Muir, co-trainer of runner-up Ebt’s Guard along with Chris Grassick, said: “He cost five grand and he is an absolute star. He won the Spring Cup at Newbury, was unlucky not to be placed in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot because we were drawn in the middle and he got too far back.

“Last time in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket people said he was disappointing, but if he hadn’t been hampered he would have been third. He was shut off twice.

“He takes everything you give him. I am really proud of him. I didn’t enter him at York because that was the only place he ran badly last year.

“He could run in a Racing League race and I will put him in the Cambridgeshire. He finished sixth in it last year.”

Richard Hughes, trainer of third-placed Real Gain, said: “On good ground we might just have done it. In the soft ground he probably just got jelly legs in the last 100 yards.

“We are thrilled with him. He hadn’t run for a year, he had bone soreness, so we had to give him time off. He will go straight to the Cambridgeshire.”

Seagulls Eleven flies home for Thoroughbred triumph

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Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven bagged the big-race victory he has long promised in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

A son of the trainer’s 2000 Guineas hero Galileo Gold, Seagulls Eleven is owned by several current and former Brighton & Hove Albion footballers, including James Milner and Danny Welbeck.

After breaking his duck at Haydock last summer, the three-year-old went on to run with credit in the Superlative Stakes, the National Stakes and the Dewhurst before the end of his juvenile campaign and his best race since his return came when second to Opera Ballo in a Newmarket Listed race three weeks ago.

With Opera Ballo a significant non-runner in this Group Three contest, Seagulls Eleven was one of just four runners to go to post and after taking an early lead under Oisin Murphy, the 11-4 shot found plenty for pressure late on to score by three-quarters of a length from Diego Ventura.

Palmer said: “He can be a handful to saddle but not in a nasty way, he has a kind look in his face and is genuinely versatile.

“Last year he had to run in the Group Ones and ran with great credit, but it’s taken a while for him to get his confidence back.

“Today when they came to him, he had the guts to go and get the job done.

“He’s been invited to the Golden Eagle in Australia and there are 10 million reasons why he should go for that, but first we might give him another at home. It might be that we have to supplement into the Celebration Mile and he’s not in the City of York.”

Diego Ventura is owned by Wathnan Racing, whose racing adviser Richard Brown said: “He has arguably run a career-best race. He was just getting going and Oisin has slightly rolled off the rail on the winner and it has cost him a little bit of momentum, but I don’t think it has made a difference to the result.

“We will talk to Hamad (Al Jehani, trainer) and the team but he is strongest at the line and we will probably try up in trip.”

Richard Hannon’s King Of Cities was the third-placed horse when beaten a length and a quarter under Ryan Moore, with the trainer saying: “He looked like he didn’t help Ryan much to me. It was disappointing not being beaten far.

“There are big races in him but he looks a bit flat-footed sometimes. Ryan thought it might have helped if he had gone on a bit, but they were probably going a good enough gallop if he wanted to. For me, he just does enough.”

Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year finished last of the four runners with Colin Keane reporting: “I would say the ground was a little bit against us.

“He relaxed and travelled round nicely but, when we needed him, he wasn’t able to, and I didn’t think we got to the line very strong.

“I would be inclined to come back to seven furlongs. I wouldn’t even rule out a stiff six on nicer ground, where they go hard and you can ride a race on him. Hopefully, he will hit the line better. Today he felt straightforward, it felt like he tried, it just felt like the trip was stretching him.”

Term Of Endearment out for Lillie Langtry repeat

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Last year’s winner Term Of Endearment returns to Goodwood, albeit for new connections, for Saturday’s Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.

Having previously won twice at Group Three level, the six-year-old bagged this Group Two prize 12 months ago for Henry de Bromhead before being sold for 1.3 million guineas at Tattersalls in December.

She has failed to add her tally since joining William Haggas for her new owner Zhang Yuesheng, but was only beaten a head by Scenic in the Bronte Cup at York on her penultimate start and was just over two lengths behind veteran stayer Coltrane in Sandown’s Coral Marathon four weeks ago.

“She obviously won the race last year but we didn’t have her then,” said Haggas.

“She seems fine, she’s a nice filly and the drop of rain would suit her.

“It might have been good to firm when she won last year, but in our experience with her, she’d be suited by the drop of rain.”

Term Of Endearment’s rivals include Goodie Two Shoes, who has won her last three races for Joseph O’Brien and JP McManus, while John and Thady Gosden saddle both Sueno and Danielle and Owen Burrows sends out Waardah, winner of a Listed event at this track in early June.

O’Brien said of his runner: “It looks a nice race but we are a little worried about the rain so we’ll be taking a watching brief on that, but she’s in good shape and has prepared well for the race.

“Since coming back to the Flat she has really taken her form to another level over staying distances and we’ll be trying to make her a Group Two winner after winning a Group Three last time.”

Haggas also saddles the defending champion in the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes in Al Aasy, as well as six-time winner Candleford.

He added: “Hopefully Al Aasy will run a good race in it again. He won it last year so we know he acts on the track, which is not always a given.

“Candleford won’t run if it is soft, so it depends how soft it is.”

In the same race Charlie Appleby is represented by one-time Classic contender Arabian Crown, who finished third behind stablemate El Cordobes in the Group Two Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket on his first start since being gelded.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: “Arabian Crown put up a pleasing effort in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes and came out of the race well.

“The ground was quick enough at Newmarket and he should enjoy the slower conditions here.”

Get It back to defend Stewards’ Cup title for Baker

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George Baker will be the proudest man on the Sussex Downs when his star sprinter Get It defends his Coral Stewards’ Cup crown at Goodwood on Saturday.

The seven-year-old blazed a trail for a shock 40-1 success 12 months ago and after a similar story in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot when again making all, the speedster is out to continue his rich vein of form off a career-high mark.

“I didn’t think we would win a Wokingham off 100 and do I think we will win a Stewards’ Cup off 104? Well it’s a massive ask,” said Baker on the task at hand.

“But these sprinters, when they get in a good place and it’s their time, you just have to roll with them.

“It’s such a dull cliché but he genuinely owes us nothing. To saddle him with a Stewards’ Cup and Wokingham already under his belt is a massive thrill and privilege, but if he could add another chapter it would be extraordinary.”

Goodwood was hit with a deluge on Thursday, but Baker is praying for drying conditions ahead of Saturday’s feature event to allow his thriving speedball to notch another notable success.

“I hope we don’t see any more rain until Saturday evening and he enjoys it when it’s rattling fast, so he’ll be fine on good ground but we don’t want it soft,” continued Baker.

Get It after winning at Goodwood last year
Get It after winning at Goodwood last year (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“There’s nothing we can do about the weather though and we’ll take our chances unless it will be really horrible.

“The higher we go up the handicap, the closer we are to running in Group races and we’re on the cusp of that now. It will be tough but a sprinter in a good place can be a potent force.”

Joining Get It towards the top of the betting markets is Kevin Ryan’s Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes runner-up Hammer The Hammer and William Haggas’ Elmonjed, who is out to defy a 6lb penalty after landing a competitive heat at York only last Saturday.

Haggas said: “It’s not ideal running him under the penalty. He was only put up 3lb yet he’s carrying 6lb more here.

“But he’s clearly in form, he loves a fast pace and I just hope we’re on the right side (stall eight).

“At the moment no one knows where you want to be. Nobody knows.

“I remember one year James Fanshawe never turned up for the draw, they put his horse (Zidane in 2007) back in the hat and gave him the last stall and he came out and won, so there are no rules.”

Another quickly returned to the track under a 6lb penalty after notable success last weekend is Richard Spencer’s Two Tribes, who has convinced his handler to try six furlongs once again after landing the International Handicap over seven at Ascot.

“He’s not got a bad draw, drawn high (25), and he’s fresh and well after his win last week,” said Spencer.

Two Tribes winning at Ascot
Two Tribes winning at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“He’s run well over six furlongs before and this is a very big pot. The penalty last week ensured him a run and he came out of Ascot really well. I know I said we wouldn’t go for this race and run over six again, but we’re going to throw our hat in the ring on Saturday and hopefully he can run well.”

Two Tribes is part of a three-strong hand for the Newmarket trainer, with Spencer also calling upon Run Boy Run and experienced Group performer Twilight Calls.

Spencer said: “Run Boy Run has a high enough draw (19) hopefully and he’s going to have a visor on which is something I’ve been waiting to do on a run over six furlongs not seven. He’s got a good each-way chance and with the visor on, there could be some improvement from him.

“Hopefully Twilight Calls gets a good tow into the race and could run well as he did very well in the Wokingham off a higher mark and all three have got sort of chances.”

Willie Mullins says Thurles closure ‘a huge blow’ for Irish racing

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Willie Mullins has described the shock closure of Thurles racecourse as a “huge blow for Irish racing”.

The champion trainer has saddled more than 250 winners at the County Tipperary circuit, where the first ever recorded race meeting took place in 1732.

Thurles, Ireland’s only privately-owned racehorse, has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900s, but in a statement released on Friday morning, Riona Molony confirmed the track is to close with immediate effect.

Mullins told the PA news agency: “It was a major shock this morning to hear the news. It will be a huge blow for Irish racing, more specifically Irish jump racing and winter jump racing.

“Thurles is a track that always had beautiful ground in the winter when other tracks couldn’t.

“It’s the last family-run track in Ireland, I believe. Pierce Molony ran it for years, his father ran it before him and Riona and family have run it since Pierce died and they’ve been fantastic for the Irish jump fraternity over the years.”

The late Pierce Molony took over the running of Thurles from his father Dr Paddy Molony in 1974, with his widow Riona and family leading operations since his death in 2015.

In a statement, Riona Molony 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.

“Horse racing 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.

“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.”

Although Thurles is licensed to race until December 31 and is scheduled to stage 11 fixtures in the 2025/26 Irish racing calendar, the Molony family have no plans to continue.

However, Mullins has not given up hope of racing again taking place at the track, adding: “I think we’ll be doing our best to see if there’s any way we can save the track for racing in Ireland.

“It will need a lot of local support. However, on the bigger scale, Irish winter jump racing needs it too I think.”

Thurles stages a number of high-profile races including the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase, formerly known as the Kinloch Brae.

The Grade Two contest has an illustrious roll of honour, having been won by the likes of Native Upmanship, Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill, Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Don Cossack and Sizing John and the top-class Allaho, who won two Ryanair Chases, a John Durkan Memorial Chase and a Punchestown Gold Cup for Mullins.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said in a statement: “Thurles Racecourse has been a cornerstone of the National Hunt programme in Ireland during the winter months, and today’s news was a surprise to everyone in the industry.

“I am sure this announcement was a hugely difficult one for Riona Molony, and her daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate, and I respect their decision to take a step back from running racing at Thurles.

“Riona’s husband Pierce contributed significantly to the Irish racing industry for many years and the Molony family, led by Riona, certainly stepped up following his untimely passing.

“I will be seeking a meeting with the Molony family in the near future to discuss their position.”

Thurles to close with immediate effect

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The owners of Thurles Racecourse have made the shock announcement that the Irish track is to close with immediate effect.

The first ever recorded race meeting at the County Tipperary circuit took place in 1732 and has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900s.

The late Pierce Molony took over the running of Thurles from his father Doctor Paddy Molony in 1974, but Pierce’s widow Riona released a statement confirming the family’s decision to retire from racing.

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.

“Horse racing 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.”

Although Thurles is fully licenced to race until December 31 and is scheduled to stage 11 fixtures in the 2025/26 Irish racing calendar, the Molony family have no plans to continue racing.

Riona Molony added: “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.

“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.”

Thurles, which is Ireland’s only privately owned racecourse, stages a number of high-profile races including the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase, formerly known as the Kinloch Brae.

The Grade Two contest has an illustrious roll of honour, having been won by the likes of Native Upmanship, Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill, Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Don Cossack and Sizing John and the top-class Allaho.

Racing Bulletin for 01/08/2025

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