Tipperary to be sold Tipperary Racecourse is to be offered for sale by public tender early next year.Following a meeting of the Board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on November 15th, it was agreed that the racecourse, incorporating racecourse facilities and racetrack on a 135 acre site, be sold (freehold) by way of competitive tender. The decision to sell was made in light of the expiration of the Tipperary lease on October 7th.The sale will be conditional upon the continuation of racing. In that context, HRI would allocate at least 12 fixtures each year and would grant-aid appropriate capital development works under the same terms which apply to all racecourses. In considering tenders, the development plans of potential purchasers will be taken into consideration.Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI said: 'Tipperary has been run successfully by the leaseholder, Limerick Junction Race Company Ltd., for the past four years. We had to decide, at the end of the lease period, whether to agree a long-term lease, which, would be equivalent to a disposal or to offer the property for sale. The latter decision was made in accordance with our remit to ensure transparency and achieve a fair price for the disposal of any assets under our control'.He added, '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 the spring and autumn'.
