Racing: News and preview Horse Racing Ireland are predicting that Tipperary racecourse is likely to be in different ownership by the time racing is held there again in April after the decision to put the track up for sale.
The move, approved by the HRI board during the week, was announced yesterday and the sport's ruling body stressed that any sale is on condition that racing will continue at the 135 acre site near Limerick Junction.
"In that context HRI would allocate at least 12 fixtures a year and would grant aid appropriate capital development works," a statement said.
The track has been leased to the Limerick Junction Race Company since 1999 when there was considerable uncertainty about the future of Tipperary on the back of the developments at both Cork and Limerick but HRI have decided not to extend the lease.
"Tipperary has been run successfully by the leaseholder. We had to decide, at the end of the lease period, whether to agree a long-term lease. The decision has been made in accordance with our remit to ensure transparency and achieve a fair price for the disposal of any assets under control," said the HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh yesterday.
"We believe that Tipperary will continue to play a significant role in Irish racing. With its sprint track the racecourse serves a very useful purpose for flat racing in spring and autumn," he added.
The track will be offered for sale by public tender early next year and Kavanagh said yesterday: "I would expect it would be sorted out before Tipperary races again in April."
The condition that racing will continue at the site makes it an unusual sales case and when asked what would happen if a sale was not made, Kavanagh replied: "We will cross that bridge if we have to but racing will continue."
On the immediate racing front Dermot Weld has ruled out a trip to the US for his Listed winner Miss Mambo on Sunday week.
The Matriarch Stakes in Hollywood Park, California, which Weld won with Dress To Thrill two years ago, had been under consideration for the ex-French filly.
Only the bumper interrupts an all-hurdles card at Fairyhouse this afternoon where the double Listed winner on the flat, Tipperary All Star, gets the opportunity to get his jumping career properly underway.
The Michael Halford-trained horse was odds on to win on his Naas debut but could manage only fourth and he doesn't have it easy today either.
Classic Vic was attempting a huge task at Down Royal earlier in the month when chasing home Dawadari in a bumper. Barry Geraghty's mount had earlier won in the North and looks a type to progress significantly over flights.
Another horse with a big reputation is New Field who was a course bumper winner here last February.
Due to persistent rain yesterday (17mm of rain) and the threat of overnight frost, there will be an inspection at 7 a.m. this morning to determine if racing can go ahead this afternoon.
