Thurles racecourse has been closed with immediate effect. Owned for more than a century by the Molony family, a statement said "ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business" had been a "major factor" in the decision.
Thurles abandoned after air ambulance is called for Michael O'Sullivan. on Thursday was abandoned following the second race due to an incident at the final fence that resulted in Michael O'Sullivan receiving medical attention.
Jockey Michael O'Sullivan dies after failing to recover from injuries suffered in fall at Thurles. Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan has died as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles on February 6, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has announced.
Horror moment at Thurles: Jockey Paul Townend escapes death after horrific fall, last-minute mistake leaves racecourse silent and fans in nightmare as purses collapse.
Flockton Grey was the British racehorse at the centre of one of the largest betting scandals to hit British horseracing. The affair remains the best-known case of a corrupt trainer and owner using a ringer to race in place of another horse.
Notes. A young stable hand 25-year old Dylan Phelan says he won over three hundred thousand euro off a 60 euro bet on two long-shot horses. But Ladbrokes won't pay him - saying the races are subject to an inquiry by an Irish state body. Reporter Barry Lenihan has more.
“This was not surprising, as horses, like humans, need robust yet sensitive skin to respond to touch, say, from flying insects or other horses,” said Professor McGreevy. “From this, we can deduce that horses are likely to feel as much pain as humans would when being whipped.”
Wee Charlie – 7 years old – injured and killed – Thurles – jump – 6-2-25 💔 A cruel way to destroy horses. They do not deserve to die like this. Fatal falls are not acceptable risks.
The blood from Roland on his helmet and some bright green fluid from the car at the front of the engine, seeing them both bleeding out like that is weird.
When Bonanza was cancelled, Lorne Greene bought Buck for fear that the horse would end up in a bad way. He then donated Buck to a therapeutic riding center where the horse taught mentally and physically challenged children to ride until his passing in 1992 at age 45, an unusually long life for a horse.
Despite being told by a spinal-cord consultant that he will never walk again, Lee remains adamant it could be a possibility. "Although he could be right, I'm not willing to accept that," he says. "Hopefully science somewhere, some day, sooner rather than later - something will happen."
Ireland's only privately owned racecourse had closed with immediate effect earlier this month, with a challenging financial landscape cited as one of the factors by owner Riona Molony, but will now stay open as a longer-term plan for its viability is considered.
Which jockey was airlifted to the hospital yesterday?
Can you all say a prayer for Irish Jockey Micheal O Sullivan please . He took a bad fall in Thurles Yesterday & was air lifted to hospital. Micheal and family you are all in our prayers & thoughts today. 🙏
McNally was hit with the longest disqualification handed out to an Irish licence-holder in January 2023 after he was found guilty of conspiring to conceal ownership of Full Noise and All Class when they were trained by David Dunne.
Ayrton Senna's most poignant last words were to his friend and F1 doctor, Professor Sid Watkins, who urged him to quit racing after Roland Ratzenberger's death: "Sid, there are certain things over which we have no control. I cannot quit; I have to go on". He also reportedly told his girlfriend, Adriane Galisteu, "I'm going to be okay," shortly before his fatal crash, showing his characteristic bravery.
What was the cause of Roland Ratzenberger's death?
Ratzenberger was also the first driver to die as a result of a crash in a Formula One car since Elio de Angelis during testing for the 1986 season. He was also the first Austrian driver to die as a result of a crash during qualifying in a Formula One car since Jochen Rindt in the 1970 season.
Number 17 is retired in Formula 1 as a permanent tribute to the late French driver Jules Bianchi, who tragically passed away from injuries sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix while racing with that number. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) permanently retired the number in 2015 out of respect for Bianchi, making it unavailable for other drivers to use.
The reason the Hancocks' lives changed forever in June last year is that their youngest daughter, Tiggy (15), died on June 16th in a riding accident. Tiggy Hancock's name was not familiar to the general public, but it was extremely well-known within the equestrian world.
Les McKeown's estate was reported to be worth around £1.5 million at the time of his death in April 2021, though figures varied, with some outlets suggesting a larger overall fortune before debts, and his company showing significant cash but also large creditor claims. He passed away from heart disease, exacerbated by long-term alcohol and drug use, leaving his widow, Peko Keiko, and son.
No. Many horses recover fully and return to competition or other roles. Euthanasia is rare and only considered when recovery would result in severe pain or complications.
The most common cause of death in horses is colic, which refers to abdominal pain and is a leading cause for horses aged 1 to 20 years old, while old age and related gastrointestinal issues become the primary reason for horses over 20 years old, alongside lameness. Other significant causes include lameness (especially chronic laminitis), various digestive system failures (impaction, rupture, tumors), and specific infectious diseases.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟑 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚: Ponies and Horses from 1 August 2025 If the whip is used more than 3 times, the rider will be issued with a verbal caution. (Ref Jumping Rules Article 240 – Fines, Verbal & Official Warning Cards)
