The relationship between horses and the land and people of Tipperary stretches back more than 2,000 years. It is an integral part of the rich culture, history and heritage of the county, this is why Tipperary is horse country.
If you love to watch horse racing, enjoy horse riding, would like to learn or even if you are just captivated by the beautiful sight of a gathering of horses in a country meadow on a still evening, then you have come to the right place.
Why is Tipperary Horse Country
You will be able to experience the thrill of the races, see some of Ireland’s finest horses up close and personal, and discover how Tipperary has become such a successful centre for horse racing. The county is home to some of the world’s most famous racehorses and the base for many of Ireland’s most successful jockeys and trainers. Horse racing and thoroughbred horse breeding is indeed serious business in these parts.
Fethard Horse Country Experience
The Museum
Located in the heart of the Golden Vale, the FHC Experience offers visitors the opportunity to discover the rich culture, heritage and history of the region. Part of Ireland’s Ancient East, this interactive experience examines the relationship between the people, the land and the horse revealing how they are all inextricably linked.
Spread out over two floors within C17th Tholsel building the interactive nature of the exhibition makes it an enjoyable and informative experience for all ages.
Racehorse fans
A trip to Coolmore Stud is definitely one for the bucket list. The famous Fethard stud farm – the world’s biggest and best thoroughbred breeding operation – is home to the finest stallions on the planet.
These exquisite examples of equine perfection, Galileo and Gleneagles to name but two, can command fees of €250,000 each time they cover a mare. And they have no shortage of takers.
Coolmore Tours – 40 minutes from Corderry Farm.
Normally, the 7,000-acre Co Tipperary breeding hub is strictly off-limits to the public, but Coolmore has started admitting a limited number of visitors through its gates during the summer months as part of a novel link-up with the nearby Fethard Horse Country Experience.
The tour of Coolmore is one of many treats on offer for visitors to the Fethard Horse Country Experience. The state-of-the-art museum was opened by famous composer and local Fethard resident Andrew Lloyd Webber in 2017, and it celebrates the area’s remarkable dominance of global horse racing.
Ballydoyle
Not only does it have the world’s top stud farm in Coolmore, but it is also home to the Ballydoyle Racing Stable, acknowledged by racing experts as the finest horse training establishment anywhere.
The legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien and his unrelated namesake Aidan O’Brien have sent out an endless stream of horses from this Rosegreen base to win every major race worth winning in Ireland, Britain, Europe, the USA, Australia, and Asia, smashing records for the number of Grade One winners in the process.
Stunning exhibits
Given that there is often more than €100m worth of thoroughbred horses in their luxury stables, Ballydoyle is not open for visitors but there are numerous pieces from this remarkable stable on display at the Fethard Horse Country Experience.
Aidan’s son Joseph – himself a brilliant and successful trainer – has put his 2017 Melbourne Cup on show at the museum, while another local trainer, Michael ‘Mouse’ Morris, gifted his 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup to the volunteer-run museum.
A stunning exhibit not to be missed is the skeleton of Sadler’s Wells, one of the most successful stallions in racing history and the horse that did most to establish Coolmore Stud as a world-famous breeding facility.
As well as being home to hundreds of trainers and horse breeders, there are also three racetracks in Co Tipperary – in Clonmel, Thurles and Tipperary town. Horse racing takes place throughout the year but is at its busiest at the height of the summer, and a day or evening at the races is a unique and thrilling experience for all the family.
Tipperary Racecourse – 20 minutes from Corderry Farm
If an exciting days horse racing is your thing and day at the races is on the cards, then Tipperary Racecourse is the place for you! Super Sundays throughout the winter and Super Thursday in summer, are exciting family day out with family entertainment, live music and kids petting area and of course the races themselves.
Clonmel Racecourse – Only 45 minutes from Corderry Farm
Clonmel Racecourse is a horse racing venue in the town of Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland which stages both National Hunt and Flat racing. The course is located in the Powerstown area of the town 2 km from the town centre. It is a right-handed track of one and a quarter mile with a stiff uphill finish.
Thurles Racecourse – Only 50 minutes from Corderry Farm
Thurles Racecourse is a horse racing venue in the town of Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland which stages National Hunt racing. Racing has taken place at Thurles since 1732 when a three-day festival took place at the venue. The course is located 1.5 km west of the town centre
