# Thurles Greyhound Stadium

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 |
| 330 | Astute Torpedo | 17.47 | 15 July 2017 |
| 360 | Rambling Jack | 19.01 | 29 July 2006 |
| 525 | Digital | 28.11 | 16 July 2005 |
| 550 | Moyne Rebel | 29.99 | 16 September 2000 |
| 570 | Donation | 30.97 | 1 April 2017 |
| 600 | O'Learys Peggy | 32.70 | 17 September 2005 |
| 600 | Roo Come On | =32.70 | 1 August 2009 |
| 750 | Killough Daisy | 41.85 | 20 June 2008 |
| 840 | Debidee Lane | 46.81 | 28 January 2006 |
| 1035 | Slaneyside Havoc | 59.71 | 20 November 2010 |
| 525 hurdles | Goofys Lofty | 29.51 | 29 May 2004 |

### Former

Extended content :
| Yards | Greyhound | Time | Date | Notes |
| 330 | Move Handy | 18.05 | 19 November 1966 | |
| 330 | Top Customer | 18.04 | 8 August 1976 | |
| 330 | Lemon King | 17.94 | 28 July 1990 | |
| 330 | Quarter To Five | 17.64 | 11 May 1999 | |
| 330 | Pretty Smokey | 17.64 | 27 May 2001 | |
| 330 | Minnies Pavlova | 17.54 | 25 July 2009 | |
| 360 | Lisboney Grosvenor | 20.20 | 8 August 1960 | |
| 360 | Pretty Smokey | 19.46 | 2 June 2001 | |
| 360 | Cloughmartin Lad | 19.29 | 21 September 2002 | |
| 360 | Behind The Clock | 19.10 | 30 September 2003 | |
| 360 | Positive Option | 19.08 | 27 November 2004 | |
| 525 | Spanish Battleship | 29.96 | August 1954 | Tipperary Cup second round |
| 525 | Spanish Battleship | 29.85 | 21 August 1954 | |
| 525 | Fearless Mac | =29.75 | 16 August 1960 | Tipperary Cup 3rd round |
| 525 | Jerrys Clipper | 29.45 | 26 August 1961 | Tipperary Cup final |
| 525 | Flaming King | 29.25 | 10 August 1968 | |
| 525 | Sailing Weather | 29.20 | 6 August 1983 | |
| 525 | Moyne Rebel | 28.86 | 9 April 2000 | National Produce Stakes heats |
| 525 | Moyne Rebel | 28.76 | 23 April 2000 | National Produce Stakes semi finals |
| 525 | Moyne Rebel | 28.70 | 30 April 2000 | National Produce Stakes final |
| 525 | 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 Ranger | 30.62 | 25 July 1987 | |
| 550 | Ardfert Sean | 30.26 | 1988 | |
| 550 | Mathews Gold | 30.58 | 28 July 1990 | |
| 550 | Coalbrook Tiger | 30.44 | 27 July 1991 | |
| 550 | Gunboat Jeff | 30.42 | 1992 | |
| 550 | Moyne Rebel | 30.01 | 4 July 2000 | |
| 570 | Ambleside Amy | 31.40 | 21 September 2002 | |
| 570 | Prince Ned | 31.23 | 3 May 2003 | |
| 570 | Born Flyer | 31.14 | 4 November 2003 | |
| 570 | Charity Jack | 31.10 | 28 August 2004 | |
| 570 | Ronans Delight | 30.98 | 11 December 2004 | |
| 575 | Ballybeg Pride | 32.00 | 4 June 1968 | |
| 575 | Ballybeg Maid | 31.94 | 21 June 1975 | |
| 575 | Gastrognome | 31.76 | 16 June 1984 | |
| 575 | Deenside Lion | 31.73 | 24 May 1998 | |
| 600 | July Sister | 33.90 | 7 May 1960 | |
| 600 | Cool Lad | 33.90 | 11 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 2006 | |
| 750 | Olympic Show | 41.88 | 2 February 2008 | |
| 840 | Clanboy | 48.16 | 30 August 1986 | |
| 840 | Manx Sand | 47.84 | 17 August 1991 | |
| 840 | Bluetoon Solo | 47.13 | 11 October 2003 | |
| 1035 | Indian Hallie | 60.75 | 2 February 2008 | |
| 1035 | 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 | |