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

Location	Castlemeadows (R498), Townparks, Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland
Coordinates	52°41'03.6"N 7°49'21.0"W
Operated by	Thurles Greyhound Racing & Sports Association
Date opened	1948
Race type	greyhound 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

• Tipperary Cup
• Grand National
• National Produce Stakes

Track records

Current [8] [9] [10]

Yards	Greyhound	Time	Date	Notes
330	Astute Torpedo [11]	17.47	15.07.2017
360	Rambling Jack [12]	19.01	29.07.2006
525	Digital	28.11	16.07.2005
550	Moyne Rebel	29.99	16.09.2000
570	Donation	30.97	01.04.2017
600	O'Learys Peggy	32.70	17.09.2005
600	Roo Come On	32.70	01.08.2009
750	Killough Daisy	41.85	20.06.2008
840	Debidee Lane	46.81	28.01.2006
1035	Slaneyside Havoc	59.71	20.11.2010
525 hurdles	Goofys Lofty	29.51	29.05.2004

Former [13]

Yards	Greyhound	Time	Date	Notes
330	Move Handy	18.05	19.11.1966
330	Top Customer	18.04	08.08.1976
330	Lemon King	17.94	28.07.1990
330	Quarter To Five	17.64	11.05.1999
330	Pretty Smokey	17.64	27.05.2001
330	Minnies Pavlova	17.54	25.07.2009
360	Lisboney Grosvenor	20.20	08.08.1960
360	Pretty Smokey	19.46	02.06.2001
360	Cloughmartin Lad	19.29	21.09.2002
360	Behind The Clock	19.10	30.09.2003
360	Positive Option	19.08	27.11.2004
525	Spanish Battleship	29.96	08.1954	Tipperary Cup second round
525	Spanish Battleship	29.85	21.08.1954
525	Flaming King	29.25	10.08.1968
525	Sailing Weather	29.20	06.08.1983
525	Moyne Rebel	28.86	09.04.2000	National Produce Stakes heats
525	Moyne Rebel	28.76	23.04.2000	National Produce Stakes semi finals
525	Moyne Rebel	28.70	30.04.2000	National Produce Stakes final
525	Smoking Ban	28.43	12.07.2003
525	Charity Jack	28.28	09.07.2005
550	Maltan Flame	30.85	31.08.1965
550	Lissadell Ranger	30.62	25.07.1987
550	Ardfert Sean	30.26	1988
550	Mathews Gold	30.58	28.07.1990
550	Coalbrook Tiger	30.44	27.07.1991
550	Gunboat Jeff	30.42	1992
550	Moyne Rebel	30.01	04.07.2000
570	Ambleside Amy	31.40	21.09.2002
570	Prince Ned	31.23	03.05.2003
570	Born Flyer	31.14	04.11.2003
570	Charity Jack	31.10	28.08.2004
570	Ronans Delight	30.98	11.12.2004
575	Ballybeg Pride	32.00	04.06.1968
575	Ballybeg Maid	31.94	21.06.1975
575	Gastrognome	31.76	16.06.1984
575	Deenside Lion	31.73	24.05.1998
600	July Sister	33.90	07.05.1960
600	Cool Lad	33.90	11.06.1960	=equalled
600	Articifer	33.12	20.10.2001
600	Silver Shout	32.71	01.02.2003
700	Orwell Wonder	40.00	20.06.1964
750	Getwhoyoulike	42.56	22.09.2001
750	Lovely Rumble	42.10	07.12.2002
750	O Learys Peggy	42.09	03.06.2006
750	Olympic Show	41.88	02.02.2008
840	Clanboy	48.16	30.08.1986
840	Manx Sand	47.84	17.08.1991
840	Bluetoon Solo	47.13	11.10.2003
1035	Indian Hallie	60.75	02.02.2008
1035	Forest Heidi	60.46	01.11.2008
1035	Big Flop	59.88	13.11.2010
330 H	Rambler Tonic	18.80	09.07.1960
525 H	Olivers Leader	30.20	17.09.1966
525 H	Special	29.75	15.09.1973
525 H	Frightened Pig	29.58	20.12.2003

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. "Track records". Greyhound Data.
9. "Track records". Greyhound Star.
10. "Newbridge Track records". Greyhound Star.
11. "Thurles Fresh Milk Open/S1 330 yds". Irish Greyhound Board.
12. "THE TOP FLIGHT OPEN 360YDS STAKE HEAT 2". Irish Greyhound Board.
13. "Thurles track records". Greyhound Data.

External links

• Irish Greyhound Board