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Horse Racing at Clonmel Racecourse
Horse racing fans can find all the excitement of the races at Clonmel racecourse
Horseracing is big business in Ireland and the country is renowned worldwide for the events and meetings that are held in the country every year.
Both trainers and jockeys alike are expertly trained to get the most from their horses and with a blend of limestone enriched pastures, temperature, climate and safety measures, Ireland is considered one of the best places in the world to breed successful race horses.
With 26 racecourses to choose from spread out across the country, a meeting will never be too far away if you are feeling lucky and fancy a gamble. Visitors to Ireland and horseracing enthusiasts can take advantage of the car rental companies at the major airports and travel around the island taking in a host of race meetings along the way.
One such racecourse, with three fixtures before the end of the year is Clonmel based in County Tipperary. The course is a right-handed track of one and a quarter miles and is considered as one of the most demanding National Hunt courses in Ireland. Mature trees and shrubs enhance the aesthetic appearance of the 160-acre racecourse and excellent views can be enjoyed from all areas of the enclosure.
The racecourse has grown over the last 150 years and today, it is common for in excess of 120 horses to be running at any one meeting. The course amenities were boosted by the founding of a Supporters Club in 1988, whose aim was to promote racing at Clonmel through obtaining additional sponsorship, increasing prize money and encouraging more local interest and involvement, resulting in additional funds being raised.
In 1998, extensive refurbishments were carried out at the racecourse with a new grandstand being constructed, including a bar, catering centre and computerised turnstile entrance. The weigh room and jockey facilities were upgraded extensively to help to make Clonmel one of the best tracks in Ireland.
The town of Clonmel situated in the valley of the River Suir, is a historically interesting place that lies at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains, which offer a superb backdrop to the racecourse.
