Radical new proposal to save Tipperary

A radical new proposal for the future of Tipperary racecourse has been submitted to the Irish Horseracing Authority. A private group calling itself the Irish Racing Academy has made what it calls "a substantial offer" to buy the beleaguered racetrack from the IHA.

The group says it intends to buy the track rather than lease it because of plans to build an academy on the infield of the track. At that academy, it is intended that 50 to 60 young people will be trained as work riders, jockeys and grooms to service the blood-stock industry.

A hostel for the trainees and two new stable blocks are planned with one of those stable blocks being built to accommodate a resident trainer at the track.

The Limerick city-based priest, Fr Joseph Young, well known for helping young people in their fight against drug and alcohol abuse, is named as a director of the Racing Academy whose overall membership is described as being "in the hundreds." Fr Young is currently involved in soccer and boxing clubs in Limerick but when contacted last night he was unaware of being a director of the academy.

"That's news to me. My involvement with the project is totally low key. I told them that I would offer my expertise in areas such as how I see the ethos of these academies. Anything that offers young people more opportunities is to be encouraged," Fr Young said.

Limerick businessman Thomas J O'Sullivan, the secretary of the group, said yesterday: "The racecourse will be run on a commercial basis and there is no reason why Tipperary cannot be revitalised. I am more than confident that this will happen. I think it will be a question of sooner rather than later because of the merits of our proposal."

The training of the young people will not be a profit making venture, however, and O'Sullivan added: "We believe that the academy will receive the support of private benefactors who will see the merits of training these young people for the blood-stock industry."

The IHA confirmed yesterday that they have received the proposal and will meet at the end of the month to examine it. They will also examine a proposal from the Tipperary Racecourse Supporters Club who hope to lease the track.

O'Sullivan commented: "I have to say our contacts with the IHA have been quite positive and we have had a very positive reaction from blood-stock people in the Limerick and Tipperary areas. "If we don't succeed it will be the death knell for the racecourse. My opinion is that it is imperative that it be bought and acquired to insure its survival. Leasing the racecourse on a short term basis seems to be quite a negative approach."

The Irish Racing Academy was only recently formed officially but its members planned as early as 1993 to set up such a training facility for young people. Plans to set it up in the Limerick area failed but they now believe the purchase of the track is vital to their plans.

"The proposal submitted will ensure the continuation of racing as the academy has given a written legal guarantee to this effect. A marketing plan will be put in place once the academy has acquired the course to ensure increased attendance and support," said O'Sullivan.

He added that he is satisfied that the group have the financial muscle behind them to achieve their plans although he would not be drawn on naming names. Asked if the Co Limerick businessman and racehorse owner J P McManus is a member of the group, O'Sullivan commented: "J P McManus has not been approached but I am sure he will row in with his support. I am sure he would not like to see the track closed."

It has not yet been decided who the resident trainer at the proposed new Tipperary will be.