Thurles Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located on Castlemeadows opposite Semple Stadium in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland.
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. Race distances are 330, 525, 570 and 600 yards.
The stadium has a car park which is also used for overflow parking for Semple Stadium and a farmers market on Saturday mornings.
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.
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.
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.
Competitions current and former Tipperary Cup Grand National National Produce Stakes
Track records Current
Yards Greyhound Time (sec) Date Notes/ref330 Astute Torpedo 17.4715 July 2017360 Rambling Jack19.0129 July 2006525 Digital 28.1116 July 2005550 Moyne Rebel 29.9916 September 2000570 Donation 30.971 April 2017600 O'Learys Peggy 32.7017 September 2005600 Roo Come On =32.701 August 2009750 Killough Daisy41.8520 June 2008840 Debidee Lane 46.8128 January 20061035Slaneyside Havoc 59.7120 November 2010525 hurdles Goofys Lofty 29.5129 May 2004 Former
Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes330 Move Handy 18.05 19 November 1966 330 Top Customer 18.048 August 1976330 Lemon King 17.94 28 July 1990330 Quarter To Five 17.64 11 May 1999 330 Pretty Smokey 17.64 27 May 2001330 Minnies Pavlova 17.54 25 July 2009360 Lisboney Grosvenor 20.20 8 August 1960 360 Pretty Smokey 19.462 June 2001360 Cloughmartin Lad19.29 21 September 2002 360 Behind The Clock19.10 30 September 2003 360 Positive Option 19.08 27 November 2004 525 Spanish Battleship29.96 August 1954 Tipperary Cup second round525 Spanish Battleship 29.85 21 August 1954525 Fearless Mac=29.7516 August 1960Tipperary Cup 3rd round525Jerrys Clipper 29.45 26 August 1961 Tipperary Cup final525 Flaming King 29.25 10 August 1968 525 Sailing Weather 29.206 August 1983525 Moyne Rebel 28.869 April 2000 National Produce Stakes heats525 Moyne Rebel 28.7623 April 2000National Produce Stakes semi finals525 Moyne Rebel 28.7030 April 2000National Produce Stakes final525 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 Ranger30.62 25 July 1987 550 Ardfert Sean 30.26 1988550 Mathews Gold 30.58 28 July 1990550 Coalbrook Tiger 30.44 27 July 1991 550 Gunboat Jeff 30.42 1992550 Moyne Rebel 30.01 4 July 2000 570 Ambleside Amy 31.40 21 September 2002570 Prince Ned 31.23 3 May 2003 570 Born Flyer 31.14 4 November 2003570 Charity Jack 31.10 28 August 2004570 Ronans Delight 30.98 11 December 2004 575 Ballybeg Pride 32.00 4 June 1968575 Ballybeg Maid 31.94 21 June 1975 575 Gastrognome 31.76 16 June 1984575 Deenside Lion 31.73 24 May 1998600 July Sister 33.90 7 May 1960600 Cool Lad 33.9011 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 2006750 Olympic Show 41.88 2 February 2008 840 Clanboy 48.16 30 August 1986 840 Manx Sand 47.84 17 August 1991840 Bluetoon Solo 47.13 11 October 2003 1035 Indian Hallie 60.75 2 February 20081035 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