Thurles Greyhound Stadium Explained

Thurles Greyhound Stadium
Location:Castlemeadows (R498), Townparks, Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland
Coordinates:52°41'03.6"N 7°49'21.0"W
Operator:Thurles Greyhound Racing & Sports Association
Opened:1948
Racetype:greyhound racing
Website:https://www.nakoo.net/thurlesgreyhoundstadium

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

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]

width=100Yardswidth=200Greyhoundwidth=50Timewidth=200Datewidth=250Notes
330 Astute Torpedo[9] 17.4715 July 2017
360 Rambling Jack[10] 19.0129 July 2006
525 Digital 28.1116 July 2005
550 Moyne Rebel 29.9916 September 2000
570 Donation 30.971 April 2017
600 O'Learys Peggy 32.7017 September 2005
600 Roo Come On =32.701 August 2009
750 Killough Daisy41.8520 June 2008
840 Debidee Lane 46.8128 January 2006
1035Slaneyside Havoc 59.7120 November 2010
525 hurdles Goofys Lofty 29.5129 May 2004

Former

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

width=100Yardswidth=200Greyhoundwidth=50Timewidth=200Datewidth=250Notes
330Move Handy 18.0519 November 1966
330Top Customer 18.048 August 1976
330Lemon King 17.94 28 July 1990
330Quarter To Five 17.64 11 May 1999
330Pretty Smokey 17.64 27 May 2001
330Minnies Pavlova 17.5425 July 2009
360Lisboney Grosvenor 20.20 8 August 1960
360Pretty Smokey 19.462 June 2001
360Cloughmartin Lad19.29 21 September 2002
360Behind The Clock19.10 30 September 2003
360Positive Option 19.08 27 November 2004
525Spanish Battleship29.96 August 1954Tipperary Cup second round
52529.85 21 August 1954
525Fearless Mac[15] =29.7516 August 1960Tipperary Cup 3rd round
525Jerrys Clipper[16] 29.45 26 August 1961Tipperary Cup final
525Flaming King 29.25 10 August 1968
525Sailing Weather 29.206 August 1983
525Moyne Rebel 28.869 April 2000National Produce Stakes heats
525Moyne Rebel 28.7623 April 2000National Produce Stakes semi finals
525Moyne Rebel 28.7030 April 2000National Produce Stakes final
525Smoking Ban 28.43 12 July 2003
525Charity Jack 28.28 9 July 2005
550Maltan Flame 30.85 31 August 1965
550Lissadell Ranger30.62 25 July 1987
550Ardfert Sean 30.26 1988
550Mathews Gold 30.58 28 July 1990
550Coalbrook Tiger 30.44 27 July 1991
550Gunboat Jeff 30.42 1992
550Moyne Rebel 30.01 4 July 2000
570Ambleside Amy 31.40 21 September 2002
570Prince Ned 31.23 3 May 2003
570Born Flyer 31.14 4 November 2003
570Charity Jack 31.10 28 August 2004
570Ronans Delight 30.98 11 December 2004
575Ballybeg Pride 32.00 4 June 1968
575Ballybeg Maid 31.94 21 June 1975
575Gastrognome 31.76 16 June 1984
575Deenside Lion 31.73 24 May 1998
600July Sister 33.90 7 May 1960
600Cool Lad 33.9011 June 1960=equalled
600Articifer 33.12 20 October 2001
600Silver Shout 32.71 1 February 2003
700Orwell Wonder 40.00 20 June 1964
750Getwhoyoulike 42.56 22 September 2001
750Lovely Rumble 42.10 7 December 2002
750O Learys Peggy 42.09 3 June 2006
750Olympic Show 41.88 2 February 2008
840 Clanboy 48.16 30 August 1986
840 Manx Sand 47.84 17 August 1991
840 Bluetoon Solo 47.13 11 October 2003
1035Indian Hallie 60.75 2 February 2008
1035Forest Heidi 60.46 1 November 2008
1035Big Flop 59.88 13 November 2010
330 HRambler Tonic 18.80 9 July 1960
525 HOlivers Leader 30.20 17 September 1966
525 HSpecial29.75 15 September 1973
525 HFrightened Pig 29.5820 December 2003

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thurles Greyhound Stadium. Tipperary Tourism.
  2. Web site: Thurles Greyhound Stadium. Thurles Greyhound Stadium.
  3. Web site: Thurles Greyhound Stadium. Irish Greyhound Board.
  4. Web site: Thurles. Greyhound Data.
  5. Book: Genders, Roy. The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. 1981. Pelham Books Ltd. 07207-1106-1.
  6. Book: Fortune, Michael. Irish Greyhound Annual. 1979. Victory Irish Promotions Ltd.
  7. Web site: Official opening of the extension. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
  8. Web site: Irish Track Records as of January 2024 . Greyhound Star . 14 February 2024.
  9. Web site: Thurles Fresh Milk Open/S1 330 yds. Irish Greyhound Board.
  10. Web site: THE TOP FLIGHT OPEN 360YDS STAKE HEAT 2. Irish Greyhound Board.
  11. Web site: Thurles track records. Greyhound Data.
  12. Web site: Track records. Greyhound Data.
  13. Web site: Track records. Greyhound Star.
  14. Web site: Newbridge Track records. Greyhound Star.
  15. News: From the tracks . Munster Tribune . 26 August 1960 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 6 July 2024.
  16. News: From the tracks . Munster Tribune . 30 August 1961 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 6 July 2024.