Willie Mullins left ‘shocked' as iconic Thurles Racecourse shuts down after nearly 300 years
Kilkenny horse training icon
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Thurles racecourse permanently closed on Friday after a shock announcement confirmed the news
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Iconic Trainer Willie Mullins was shocked and saddened by the sudden news of the track's closure
The iconic trainer, who has saddled over 250 winners at the County Tipperary venue reacted to Friday's announcement that Ireland's last privately-owned racecourse would
Speaking to PA, Mullins said: 'It was a major shock this morning to hear the news.
"It will be a huge blow for Irish racing, more specifically Irish jump racing and winter jump racing.
"Thurles is a track that always had beautiful ground in the winter when other tracks couldn't.
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"It's the last family-run track in Ireland, I believe. Pierce Molony ran it for years, his father ran it before him and Riona - and family have run it since Pierce died - and they've been fantastic for the Irish jump fraternity over the years.'
Thurles, which held its first recorded meeting in 1732, has been owned and operated by the Molony family since the early 20th century.
Thurles was famed for being able to handle any conditions, especially in the depth of the Irish winter.
Its biggest race of the season also had a knack for producing Gold Cup winners at
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And earlier in the day,
She 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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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."
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