Clonmel Horse Races

Clonmel is a right-handed course of around 1 and a half miles in length with the main feature of the track been its steep uphill finish which gives an advantage to horse with a strong finish.

Clonmel has a long history of horse racing which can be traced back over 150 years so it is no surprise to that there are many notable races at the track with the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase, run in November arguably the most notable.

Other notable races at Clonmel include the Mercedes-Benz Hurdle and the T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase.

Clonmel racecourse, also known locally as Powerstown Park, is one of the leading horse racing track in the Republic of Ireland and offers lots of great action for all fans to enjoy.

Located in County Tipperary, the course offers both a National Hunt track and a flat track so no matter if your favourite types of racing is hurdle racing, steeplechase racing or flat racing, you can watch it live from Clonmel.

The right handed track is one and quarter miles which is famed for its sharp uphill finish which makes the course a great test of a horses stamina and it is somewhere where stayers tend to excel.

Having an uphill finish can also bunch the pack heading down the home straight and that can lead to exciting racing and must watch action and best of all that is exactly what you can do via our Clonmel races live stream partners.

Racing in the town has a long history and with the course been amongst the most popular in Ireland, it is no surprise that there are a number of stand out races on the calendar at Clonmel.

The Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle is a grade 3 race run over 33 miles that is open to all horses aged 4 and over.

The Clonmel Oil Chase is a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs for horses aged 5 and over.

The T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase is a listed race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs for mares aged 5 years old and over.

No matter if you are wanting to watch one of the great races above or any other race from the curse, you can watch them all via our live stream partners.

With flat, hurdle and steeplechase racing on offer, you can also find some great action at the course and it has never been easier to watch along live as the online bookmakers on this page bring you each and every race live from Clonmel.

Whilst there is a wagering requirement to be able to watch races from Clonmel via the online bookmakers on this page, the chances are that if you are interested in watching the action live, you will also be interested in betting on the action.

If you have already bet on a race from Clonmel races and your chosen bookie does not allow you to watch along live, choose one of the bookies on this page and cheer your horse as it races up the hill to the finish line and hopefully onto victory.

1856: The establishment of Clonmel Racecourse

The history of Clonmel Racecourse began in 1856, when organised horse racing became established at Powerstown Park, on the outskirts of Clonmel in County Tipperary, Ireland. The venue has remained associated with the town for more than 160 years, developing from a traditional local sporting destination into a recognised venue on the Irish racing calendar.

Clonmel’s location in the Suir Valley placed it within a region with strong agricultural and equestrian traditions. Horse racing was an important part of sporting and social life in nineteenth-century Ireland, bringing communities together for competitive events and entertainment. Powerstown Park provided a permanent setting for these meetings, allowing racing to become a recurring feature of the local calendar.

The course’s surroundings have remained an important part of its identity. The 160-acre grounds feature mature trees and shrubs, creating a distinctive parkland setting. Unlike a purpose-built urban stadium, Clonmel Racecourse retains a green, open character that reflects its long history and rural location.

The development of racing at Powerstown Park

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Clonmel Racecourse continued to develop as a venue for organised horse racing. The sport itself was becoming increasingly professional, with more structured race programmes, improved facilities and greater attention to the preparation of horses and jockeys.

Historical material published by the racecourse includes a newspaper account from 1926, illustrating that the venue was already attracting attention and visitors during the early twentieth century. Such records provide a glimpse into the importance of racing meetings as public occasions, when people gathered to watch the horses, meet friends and enjoy a day away from their usual routines.

As the sport evolved, Clonmel developed a programme that included both flat racing and National Hunt racing. Flat racing tests horses over a measured distance without obstacles, whereas National Hunt contests require competitors to jump hurdles or steeplechase fences. Hosting both disciplines enabled Powerstown Park to serve different sections of the racing community and helped establish its place within Ireland’s broader racing calendar.

The racecourse’s challenging track

Clonmel’s physical layout has played an important role in its reputation. The racecourse is right-handed and measures approximately one mile and a quarter around its circuit. Its undulating terrain includes a stiff uphill climb, a gradual downhill section and an uphill finish.

These characteristics make the course particularly demanding for National Hunt horses. Jumpers must conserve energy while negotiating obstacles, then produce a strong finishing effort as they approach the winning post. A horse that travels comfortably through the middle of a race may still struggle in the closing stages if it has used too much energy early on.

The terrain also creates interesting tactical decisions for jockeys, who must judge when to make their move and how to position their horses around the bends. This combination of jumping, stamina and course management helps explain why experienced racing fans pay close attention to previous performances at Clonmel.

1988: The formation of the Supporters’ Club

A significant development in the modern history of Clonmel Racecourse came in 1988, when a Supporters’ Club was formed. Its stated aims included promoting racing at Clonmel, securing additional sponsorship, increasing prize money, improving facilities and encouraging greater local involvement.

The creation of the club reflected the importance of community support to a regional racecourse. Maintaining a successful racing venue requires more than an attractive track. Organisers also need investment, sponsorship, competitive prize money and a loyal audience willing to return throughout the season.

Support from local businesses and racing enthusiasts helped Clonmel strengthen its position as a venue for both established competitors and developing horses. The club’s objectives also highlighted the connection between the racecourse and the surrounding community, a relationship that remains important to its identity today.

1992: The beginning of the Morris Oil Chase

One of the most important milestones in Clonmel’s racing history occurred in 1992, when the race now known as the Clonmel Oil Chase was first run as the Morris Oil Chase. Originally staged over three miles in December, the race was established as a significant steeplechase for staying horses.

In 1994, the contest was shortened to approximately two miles and four furlongs and moved to November. The following year, it received Grade 3 status, before being promoted to Grade 2 in 1996. These changes reflected the race’s growing standing within Irish National Hunt racing.

In 2003, the event took its present name, the Clonmel Oil Chase, following the Clonmel Oil Company’s involvement as sponsor. The continued association with a local company has helped give the race a distinctive identity and established it as the signature meeting at Powerstown Park.

The Clonmel Oil Chase has subsequently attracted some of the leading chasers in Ireland and Britain. Dorans Pride won four consecutive renewals between 1997 and 2000, demonstrating remarkable consistency at the course. Other notable winners include Imperial Call, who later won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1996, and War Of Attrition, the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who had won the Clonmel Oil Chase in 2005.

Beef Or Salmon, Sizing Europe and Douvan are among the other celebrated horses associated with the race. Their achievements have helped strengthen Clonmel’s reputation as a place where high-class jumpers compete during the early part of the National Hunt season.

2009: Investment in modern facilities

As spectator expectations changed, Clonmel Racecourse continued to improve its facilities. Extensive refurbishment work was carried out in 2009, forming part of the venue’s ongoing efforts to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for racegoers.

Modern racecourses must accommodate a wide range of visitors, from dedicated racing enthusiasts and horse owners to families, corporate groups and people attending their first meeting. Food and drink facilities, viewing areas, hospitality services and access arrangements all contribute to the overall experience.

At Clonmel, catering is provided by Masterchefs Hospitality, which offers food and hospitality options for race meetings and special occasions. These services support the course’s wider role as a social destination as well as a sporting venue.

The Clonmel Oil Chase and the modern racing calendar

The November Clonmel Oil Chase meeting has become the racecourse’s principal annual attraction. Its Grade 2 feature race provides a demanding test for staying chasers and regularly draws attention from racing fans following the development of horses targeting major winter contests.

The meeting also features the T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Steeplechase, a Listed race that adds another significant contest to the programme. The event honours T.A. Morris and provides a high-profile opportunity for mares competing over fences.

Clonmel’s other notable contests include the Powerstown Novice Hurdle, which was first run in 2003 and promoted to Grade 3 status in 2013. The race has attracted leading trainers, including Willie Mullins, whose runners have enjoyed considerable success in the contest.

Alongside these feature races, Clonmel hosts regular flat and National Hunt meetings throughout the year. Its programme traditionally includes approximately 12 fixtures, making it an important regional venue for Irish racing.

Clonmel Racecourse today

Today, Clonmel Racecourse remains a valued part of County Tipperary’s sporting landscape. Its combination of flat racing, jump racing, prestigious feature contests and community events gives it a varied role within the Irish racing industry.

Powerstown Park is situated approximately two miles from Clonmel town centre, with the racecourse also accessible from the local transport hub. Its position makes it a practical destination for visitors travelling from across the south of Ireland, including Waterford, Cork, Kilkenny and Limerick.

The course’s history is reflected in its enduring traditions, from its establishment in 1856 to the development of the Clonmel Oil Chase into a recognised Grade 2 contest. Investment in facilities, sponsorship and local support has helped it adapt to the demands of modern racing while retaining its distinctive character.

For visitors attending Clonmel Races today, this heritage adds meaning to the experience. The horses competing at Powerstown Park are part of a sporting tradition that has continued across generations. Whether you arrive for a championship steeplechase, a summer evening meeting or Ladies Day, you will find a venue where Irish racing history and contemporary sporting excitement come together. And if your chosen horse wins, you can celebrate your excellent judgement; if it loses, you can always return next time with a completely different theory.