Minister Martin Heydon Turns Sod on Tipperary All-Weather Track

[Wandering Eyes]

Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, turned the sod on the new Tipperary all-weather track on Thursday, marking the beginning of the redevelopment project which is scheduled to be completed by the end of September 2027.

Minister Heydon was joined by Nicky Hartery, chairman of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI); Maurice Moloney, Tipperary Racecourse committee chairman; Andrew Hogan, Tipperary Racecourse manager; Sinead Carr, CEO of Tipperary County Council; and Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, along with local representatives, community leaders, the Tipperary Racecourse committee and project partners for the sod turning ceremony.

Work will now commence on the new all-weather track, with a view to staging a full winter race programme in 2027/28.

The main contract has been awarded to Atlantic Golf Construction (AGC Ventures Limited), based in Ballybunion, County Kerry. Martin Collins Enterprises Ltd will develop the polytrack racing surface, while the floodlights at the venue will be provided by McSherry Electrical Limited, based in Mallow, County Cork.

Minister Heydon said, “I am delighted to be here in Tipperary today to turn the sod on the new all-weather track project. It's an ambitious, exciting project and I wish Andrew Hogan, Maurice Moloney and the team in Horse Racing Ireland all the best.

“The project is a major stimulus, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the horse racing and breeding industry that already generates €329 million in expenditure and approximately 3,000 jobs in Tipperary alone – contributing to the national figure of €2.46 billion and over 30,000 jobs, and will be hugely beneficial for the continued development of this world-class industry.”

Hogan added, “Today is a hugely exciting day for Tipperary Racecourse and the broader county. The new all-weather track is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the racing and breeding industry in Munster and beyond, and we are thrilled to see the redevelopment work get underway.

“On behalf of the entire Tipperary Racecourse team, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported this project and helped to get us to this point today. We look forward to hosting stakeholder engagement events over the summer, as the project develops and we have more updates to share.”

Tipperary will become the second all-weather track in Ireland, along with Dundalk, which is located roughly 270 kilometres further north.

“Today marks an important moment not only for Tipperary Racecourse but for our vibrant racing and breeding industry,” said Hartery. “The new all-weather track reflects Horse Racing Ireland's strategic goal to create opportunities at all levels, and the project will bring huge positives for the industry, creating significant economic and social benefits for Tipperary and the broader region. It will provide a major boost to racing throughout the south of the country, offering accessible racing and training facilities all year round.

“I would like to thank the Minister and his Department colleagues, Tipperary County Council and all stakeholders for their ongoing support.”

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