Thurles Greyhound Stadium

Thurles Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located on Castlemeadows opposite the Semple Stadium in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland.[1]

Thurles Greyhound Stadium
LocationCastlemeadows (R498), Townparks, Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland
Coordinates52°41'03.6"N 7°49'21.0"W
Operated byThurles Greyhound Racing & Sports Association
Date opened1948
Race typegreyhound racing
Official website

Racing takes place every Thursday and Saturday evening and the facilities include a trackside restaurant, fast food facilities, a number of bars and totalisator betting. [2]

The stadium has a car park which is also used for overflow parking for Semple Stadium and a farmers market on Saturday mornings. [3]

Race distances are 330, 525, 570 and 600 yards. [4]

History

Just off the Castlemeadows in Thurles is the Townpark Greyhound Stadium which opened on 13 September 1948. Major events to have taken place over the years at the track and they are called the Tipperary Cup, Guinness 575, the Champion Bitch Stakes and Puppy Stakes. A very large circumference of 509 yards allows greyhounds a good gallop although the track is considered slow.[5]

In 1962 the Grand National came to Townpark and would stay for 26 years until 1984 when it then moved to Shelbourne Park. The premier hurdle event in Ireland was won no less than three times by Special from 1972–1974.[6]

The Thurles Greyhound Racing & Sports Association Limited continually ensured that the venue was kept in good order and it held many charity nights. The Racing Manager for many years was Eamonn Bourke before Paul Hayes took over the chair. In 2011 the stadium underwent significant refurbishment resulting in an extension to the main upstairs bar areas and facilities to cater for events.[7]

Competitions

current and former

Track records

Current [8]

Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes
330Astute Torpedo[9]17.4715 July 2017
360Rambling Jack[10]19.0129 July 2006
525Digital28.1116 July 2005
550Moyne Rebel29.9916 September 2000
570Donation30.971 April 2017
600O'Learys Peggy32.7017 September 2005
600Roo Come On=32.701 August 2009
750Killough Daisy41.8520 June 2008
840Debidee Lane46.8128 January 2006
1035Slaneyside Havoc59.7120 November 2010
525 hurdlesGoofys Lofty29.5129 May 2004

Former [11][12] [13] [14]

Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes
330Move Handy18.0519 November 1966
330Top Customer18.048 August 1976
330Lemon King17.9428 July 1990
330Quarter To Five17.6411 May 1999
330Pretty Smokey17.6427 May 2001
330Minnies Pavlova17.5425 July 2009
360Lisboney Grosvenor20.208 August 1960
360Pretty Smokey19.462 June 2001
360Cloughmartin Lad19.2921 September 2002
360Behind The Clock19.1030 September 2003
360Positive Option19.0827 November 2004
525Spanish Battleship29.96August 1954Tipperary Cup second round
525Spanish Battleship29.8521 August 1954
525Flaming King29.2510 August 1968
525Sailing Weather29.206 August 1983
525Moyne Rebel28.869 April 2000National Produce Stakes heats
525Moyne Rebel28.7623 April 2000National Produce Stakes semi finals
525Moyne Rebel28.7030 April 2000National Produce Stakes final
525Smoking Ban28.4312 July 2003
525Charity Jack28.289 July 2005
550Maltan Flame30.8531 August 1965
550Lissadell Ranger30.6225 July 1987
550Ardfert Sean30.261988
550Mathews Gold30.5828 July 1990
550Coalbrook Tiger30.4427 July 1991
550Gunboat Jeff30.421992
550Moyne Rebel30.014 July 2000
570Ambleside Amy31.4021 September 2002
570Prince Ned31.233 May 2003
570Born Flyer31.144 November 2003
570Charity Jack31.1028 August 2004
570Ronans Delight30.9811 December 2004
575Ballybeg Pride32.004 June 1968
575Ballybeg Maid31.9421 June 1975
575Gastrognome31.7616 June 1984
575Deenside Lion31.7324 May 1998
600July Sister33.907 May 1960
600Cool Lad33.9011 June 1960=equalled
600Articifer33.1220 October 2001
600Silver Shout32.711 February 2003
700Orwell Wonder40.0020 June 1964
750Getwhoyoulike42.5622 September 2001
750Lovely Rumble42.107 December 2002
750O Learys Peggy42.093 June 2006
750Olympic Show41.882 February 2008
840Clanboy48.1630 August 1986
840Manx Sand47.8417 August 1991
840Bluetoon Solo47.1311 October 2003
1035Indian Hallie60.752 February 2008
1035Forest Heidi60.461 November 2008
1035Big Flop59.8813 November 2010
330 HRambler Tonic18.809 July 1960
525 HOlivers Leader30.2017 September 1966
525 HSpecial29.7515 September 1973
525 HFrightened Pig29.5820 December 2003

References
  1. "Thurles Greyhound Stadium". Tipperary Tourism.
  2. "Thurles Greyhound Stadium". Thurles Greyhound Stadium.
  3. "Thurles Greyhound Stadium". Irish Greyhound Board.
  4. "Thurles". Greyhound Data.
  5. Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  6. Fortune, Michael (1979). Irish Greyhound Annual. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
  7. "Official opening of the extension". Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
  8. "Irish Track Records as of January 2024". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  9. "Thurles Fresh Milk Open/S1 330 yds". Irish Greyhound Board.
  10. "THE TOP FLIGHT OPEN 360YDS STAKE HEAT 2". Irish Greyhound Board.
  11. "Thurles track records". Greyhound Data.
  12. "Track records". Greyhound Data.
  13. "Track records". Greyhound Star.
  14. "Newbridge Track records". Greyhound Star.

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