Wikipedia

Thurles Greyhound Stadium

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

Thurles Greyhound Stadium
Stadium entrance, September 2024
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] Race distances are 330, 525, 570 and 600 yards.[3]

The stadium has a car park which is also used for overflow parking for Semple Stadium and a farmers market on Saturday mornings.[4]

History

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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

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current and former

Track records

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Current

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[8]

Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes
330 Astute Torpedo[9] 17.47 15 July 2017
360 Rambling Jack[10] 19.01 29 July 2006
525 Digital 28.11 16 July 2005
550 Moyne Rebel 29.99 16 September 2000
570 Donation 30.97 1 April 2017
600 O'Learys Peggy 32.70 17 September 2005
600 Roo Come On =32.70 1 August 2009
750 Killough Daisy 41.85 20 June 2008
840 Debidee Lane 46.81 28 January 2006
1035 Slaneyside Havoc 59.71 20 November 2010
525 hurdles Goofys Lofty 29.51 29 May 2004

Former

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Extended content

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

Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes
330 Move Handy 18.05 19 November 1966
330 Top Customer 18.04 8 August 1976
330 Lemon King 17.94 28 July 1990
330 Quarter To Five 17.64 11 May 1999
330 Pretty Smokey 17.64 27 May 2001
330 Minnies Pavlova 17.54 25 July 2009
360 Lisboney Grosvenor 20.20 8 August 1960
360 Pretty Smokey 19.46 2 June 2001
360 Cloughmartin Lad 19.29 21 September 2002
360 Behind The Clock 19.10 30 September 2003
360 Positive Option 19.08 27 November 2004
525 Spanish Battleship 29.96 August 1954 Tipperary Cup second round
525 Spanish Battleship 29.85 21 August 1954
525 Fearless Mac[15] =29.75 16 August 1960 Tipperary Cup 3rd round
525 Jerrys Clipper[16] 29.45 26 August 1961 Tipperary Cup final
525 Flaming King 29.25 10 August 1968
525 Sailing Weather 29.20 6 August 1983
525 Moyne Rebel 28.86 9 April 2000 National Produce Stakes heats
525 Moyne Rebel 28.76 23 April 2000 National Produce Stakes semi finals
525 Moyne Rebel 28.70 30 April 2000 National Produce Stakes final
525 Smoking Ban 28.43 12 July 2003
525 Charity Jack 28.28 9 July 2005
550 Maltan Flame 30.85 31 August 1965
550 Lissadell Ranger 30.62 25 July 1987
550 Ardfert Sean 30.26 1988
550 Mathews Gold 30.58 28 July 1990
550 Coalbrook Tiger 30.44 27 July 1991
550 Gunboat Jeff 30.42 1992
550 Moyne Rebel 30.01 4 July 2000
570 Ambleside Amy 31.40 21 September 2002
570 Prince Ned 31.23 3 May 2003
570 Born Flyer 31.14 4 November 2003
570 Charity Jack 31.10 28 August 2004
570 Ronans Delight 30.98 11 December 2004
575 Ballybeg Pride 32.00 4 June 1968
575 Ballybeg Maid 31.94 21 June 1975
575 Gastrognome 31.76 16 June 1984
575 Deenside Lion 31.73 24 May 1998
600 July Sister 33.90 7 May 1960
600 Cool Lad 33.90 11 June 1960 =equalled
600 Articifer 33.12 20 October 2001
600 Silver Shout 32.71 1 February 2003
700 Orwell Wonder 40.00 20 June 1964
750 Getwhoyoulike 42.56 22 September 2001
750 Lovely Rumble 42.10 7 December 2002
750 O Learys Peggy 42.09 3 June 2006
750 Olympic 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
1035 Indian Hallie 60.75 2 February 2008
1035 Forest Heidi 60.46 1 November 2008
1035 Big Flop 59.88 13 November 2010
330 H Rambler Tonic 18.80 9 July 1960
525 H Olivers Leader 30.20 17 September 1966
525 H Special 29.75 15 September 1973
525 H Frightened Pig 29.58 20 December 2003

References

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  1. ^ "Thurles Greyhound Stadium". Tipperary Tourism.
  2. ^ "Thurles Greyhound Stadium". Thurles Greyhound Stadium.
  3. ^ "Thurles". Greyhound Data.
  4. ^ "Thurles Greyhound Stadium". Irish Greyhound Board.
  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.
  15. ^ "From the tracks". Munster Tribune. 26 August 1960. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "From the tracks". Munster Tribune. 30 August 1961. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

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