Work on new all-weather Tipperary track expected to get under way in 2023

Tipperary manager Andrew Hogan is optimistic the track's new all-weather course will be ready to launch by the end of 2024, with racing set to cease at the venue once redevelopment works commence next year.

It had initially been hoped that Irish racing's second all-weather track would be ready to open this year, but former Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh stated in December 2020 that the project had been set back by Covid.

Officials at the Limerick Junction track are awaiting a Tipperary County Council planning application decision by August 29, having lodged submissions in early June.

It has been estimated the redevelopment works will cost €18 million and that 20 additional meetings could be brought to Tipperary each year.

Hogan, who announced last week that he would quit his separate role as Cork racecourse manager to focus solely on the expansion, is excited by the project plans. "At the moment we're just waiting for the planning process to take its course," he said.

Andrew Hogan: will depart management role at Cork to focus on Tipperary's development projectCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"The planning was lodged in early June, having had a consultation meeting on May 17. We've met with local people who have been extremely positive.

"The support from neighbours and everyone around has been huge. I know the design team couldn't get over it as they're used to some negativity arising at those meetings."

Hogan added: "We're working on a timeline of [launching in] quarter four of 2024 at the moment. That is if everything goes smoothly.

"When we get our start date for building, the plan would be that we won't race during that time period. We hope to start probably towards the end of quarter two next year. Because it's an earthworks project, you'd want to be doing it during the summer."

Hogan has previously stated the works have the potential to make Tipperary "one of the best tracks in Europe, if not the world", and believes some of the course's Listed and Group races could eventually switch to be run on the new surface.

Dundalk: currently Ireland's only all-weather trackCredit: Patrick McCann

He said: "We'll have to speak with the fixtures committee in Horse Racing Ireland but you'd hope that some of the good races would migrate to the all-weather. It's probably where the future is going, with more horses going towards that surface because there seems to be a global market for them there."

Hogan added: "Anyone who has seen the plans has given huge support to it, so these are really exciting times. The straight five-furlong track will be gone but the all-weather will go right around the outside of all the tracks. We purchased additional land around the outside and we're actually taking the corner off the stable yard to make a circuit of one mile and three furlongs.

"The stable yard will still be in the same position with a few small modifications. We expect to have evening meetings so there will be lighting in operation."

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