No Thurles 'huge blow'

WILLIE Mullins has described the shock closure of Thurles racecourse as a “huge blow for Irish racing”.

- Brian FLANAGAN

The champion trainer has saddled more than 250 winners at the Co Tipperary circuit, where the first ever recorded race meeting took place in 1732.

Thurles, Ireland’s only privately-owned racecourse, has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900s.

Shock

But in a statement released yesterday morning, Riona Molony confirmed the track is to close with immediate effect.

"It was a major shock this morning to hear the news," said Mullins (left).