Iconic racecourse where jockey Mikey O’Sullivan tragically died closes with immediate effect

ICONIC Irish racecourse Thurles has closed with immediate effect.

The privately-owned track in Tipperary – which hosted its first meeting in 1732 – has ceased operations and cancelled all 11 of its planned fixtures.

PACheltenham Festival-winning jockey Mikey O’Sullivan was killed earlier this year racing at Thurles[/caption]

The Tipperary track had 11 upcoming fixtures but none of them will take placeSportsfile

AlamyThe grandstand at Thurles will be no more after the track’s owner confirmed it was closing with immediate effect following almost 300 years of racing[/caption]

Jockey Mikey O’Sullivan was tragically killed at the track when racing there earlier this year.

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.

Thurles was famed for being able to handle any conditions, especially in the depth of the Irish winter, and was jokingly referred to as the country’s ‘first all-weather racecourse’.

Its biggest race of the season also had a knack for producing Gold Cup winners at Cheltenham.

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.

“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.

“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.”

The Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase – now known as the Horse & Jockey – was the track’s premier race and was won this year by Willie Mullins’ former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle champion Appreciate It.

Ryanair Chase king Allaho won the race three times and used it as his prep for Cheltenham Festival domination.

Other top-class horses to have won the race include Gordon Elliott’s 2016 Gold Cup winner Don Cossack.

While Sizing John won the same race at Thurles the following year before going onto win the Gold Cup – jumps racing’s most prestigious prize.