Keen to learn the most important dates in the Irish horse racing calendar? Find the biggest events in Irish horse racing right here, by reading our guide!
The Irish racing calendar challenges horses, jockeys, and trainers by providing them with various exhilarating races to compete in. With the calendar being so varied, it’s an exciting schedule to keep your eye on, but how exactly is it structured and what are the best races to watch?
This blog will break down the horse racing calendar in Ireland, highlighting the best festivals and races to look out for. Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know.
Or if you want to get all the latest tips and information, check out our horse racing blog – which has up-to-date betting tips for all the best races!
Highlights of the horse racing calendar in Ireland
Packed with many entertaining festivals and races, the Irish horse racing calendar has many must-see events that you need to know about. We have put together a chronological list of the biggest and best races you should keep in mind below. So, whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just a first timer, keep reading so you can know exactly when and where to be to see some of the action!
January
Thyestes Chase Day
When thinking about Irish race meetings, the first event of the year that should be on your radar is Thyestes Chase day. This occasion hosts a jumps race and always occurs on a Thursday in late January at Gowran Park.
Being a handicap chase, the Thyestes Chase often serves as a trial for the Grand National, with competitors aiming to go on to win both events. Some previous champions here have also come extremely close to winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, demonstrating the level of horses that compete at this event.
Presenting a challenge of 17 fences over 3 miles and 1 furlong, winning the Thyestes Chase isn’t an easy feat. With the race also boasting a prize fund of €100,000, jockeys and trainers are never short of motivation to get their horses over the line.
February
Dublin Racing Festival
Held over 2 days usually in early February, the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown is not an event to be missing. It’s home to multiple jumps races, but there are two standout ones: the Irish Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Hurdle.
The Irish Gold Cup is a steeplechase that tends to serve as a good test for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, though only four horses have been able to win both events in the same year. It is a race of high prestige, as horses that are victorious after running 3 miles and jumping 17 fences must be considered incredibly strong competitors; and being the feature race of day one at the festival, it is certainly one to feast your eyes on.
Held on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival, the Irish Champion Hurdle is another highly regarded race held at this event. This hurdle race is run over 2 miles and can be seen as equivalent to the well-admired Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival.
March
The month of March in the Irish racing calendar includes events early on such as Shamrock Chase Day at Gowran Park Racecourse. The main attraction here is the Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase, which is a competitive race with quality jump horses competing.
Later in the month you’ll find St. Patrick’s Festival Race Day at the Curragh Racecourse, kicking off the Irish flat racing season. This occasion includes excellent races like the Irish Lincolnshire Premier Handicap, offering both competitive racing and a substantial prize fund of €100,000.
April
Good Friday at the Curragh
For the first time ever, a race is set to take place on Good Friday in Ireland, making this a significant historical event in Irish horse racing. And with it only being on a 2-year trial basis, this means there is even more reason to be keeping an eye on this one.
Extra investment for prize money will ensure high-quality racing that will surely make for a thrilling first time watch. The details are still being finalised regarding specific races, but an action-packed day has been promised!
Fairyhouse Easter Festival
This famous 3-day Easter Festival is one that showcases top horses, jockeys, and trainers by challenging them with some of Ireland’s best races including the Irish Grand National. Taking place in April across the bank holiday weekend, it is the perfect time for such an event to be held.
The Irish Grand National is held annually on Easter Monday and is easily one of the most valuable handicap chases in Ireland, displaying a €500,000 prize fund. It is a true test of a horse’s stamina and jumping ability, being run over 3 miles and 5 furlongs with 24 fences along the way.
Also held over the same weekend is the Fairyhouse Gold Cup. This is a novice steeplechase which takes place on the Sunday, having 16 fences to be jumped over 2 miles and 4 furlongs. Incidentally, famous horses such as Arkle, Galopin Des Champs, and Al Boum Photo are already on the winners list.
Punchestown Festival
This iconic festival is a five-day event marking the end of the Irish jump racing calendar, usually being held between the back end of April and early May. It is a culmination of elite racing, an electric atmosphere and live entertainment.
One focus of the prestigious event is the Punchestown Gold Cup, which is a Grade 1 steeplechase featured on the second day. Despite originally being a race for novice chasers, it now has previous competitors of the Cheltenham Gold Cup competing, meaning that top-class racing is almost certain to be on display.
Another top race held here is the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, which also has competitors that have previously ran in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. In fact, horses have been known to win both events in the same year, with State Man recently accomplishing the feat in 2024!
The high level of racing on display is more than backed up by the list of legendary horses, trainers, and jockeys that have won it, including names like Hurricane Fly, Willie Mullins, and Ruby Walsh.
May
Irish Guineas Festival
A thrilling weekend of horse racing awaits at the Irish Guineas Festival in late May, where over 15 flat races are held, providing lots of entertainment for spectators and bettors alike. With the festival also having over €1.5 million of prize money on the line, it is one that many will seek victory in. Notable races include the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Irish 1,000 Guineas, which are two of the more well-known Irish race meetings throughout the calendar.
The Irish 2,000 Guineas, held on the Saturday, is ran over 1 mile, testing a blend of speed and stamina for colts (male horses) and fillies (female horses) aged 3 and above. It is the opening leg of the Irish Triple Crown (a series of three classic flat races) and is an internationally acclaimed event that draws much attention.
Then on the Sunday, the Irish 1,000 Guineas is run on the same exact track configuration and distance, this time only open to fillies. This race serves as a crucial proving ground for potential champions, as winners go on to be targeted for major events such as the Coronation Stakes and the Irish Oaks.
June
Irish Derby Festival
Drawing global attention and having competitors and spectators from all over the world, the Irish Derby Festival is the peak of flat race weekends. It has a great line-up of racing and takes place in late June. Days one and two set the scene with top-class flat races, featuring the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes Ladies Derby.
On the Sunday, it’s Derby Day with the iconic Irish Derby being held. Having international competitors and a prize pot of around €725,000, it is absolutely one to watch out for. And being the second race of the Irish Triple Crown, it is also a highly sought after race to win – especially if any competitors have already won the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
July
Irish Oaks Festival
The Irish Oaks Festival creates 2 days of memorable racing in the middle of July, combining elite flat races with fashion and entertainment for all the family.
The festival holds the highly regarded Irish Oaks race, which is a flat race run over 1 mile and 4 furlongs; showcasing top-tier fillies from across Europe, this isn’t a race to ignore. With it also being one of the five Irish Classic races, it’s one of the most important fixtures of the Irish flat racing calendar.
If you would like some tips for the Irish Oaks race, take a look at our runner-by-runner guide to learn more!
Galway Races Summer Festival
Boasting a combination of both flat and jumps races is one of many reasons that the Galway Races Summer Festival is popular. The festival is held over 7 days in late July and early August, with the prize pot exceeding €2 million.
Each day of the festival has feature events, but the midway point, the Galway Plate Day, is undoubtedly the main spectacle. The Galway Plate race is a handicap chase that is a large reason the festival is so highly regarded, presenting the challenge of 14 fences to be jumped over 2 miles and 6½ furlongs. This eagerly anticipated event is a cornerstone of Irish jump racing and is known for having an incredible atmosphere and competitive nature.
August
Tramore August Festival begins in the middle of August, mixing both National Hunt and Flat Racing over the course of 4 days. With the event having taken place since 1807, it has a rich history within Irish racing.
Then later in the month, the Killarney August Festival marks the end of the summer racing season. This also combines both National Hunt and flat races, with the main feature being the Kingdom Gold Cup race. This is a Premier Handicap race, challenging horses and jockeys to win the up to around €27,000 out of the total €45,000 prize pot.
September
Irish Champions Festival
The Irish Champions Festival is a two-day event hosting world-class racing that will occur in the middle of September. Day one is at Leopardstown and is filled with elite races, with five group races being held – including the Irish Champion Stakes. Then the second day occurs at the Curragh Racecourse, featuring the third and final race of the Irish Triple Crown: the Irish St. Leger.
The Irish Champion Stakes is easily the main event of the first day, with the flat race being good preparation for other major races left in the Autum schedule like the Breeders Cup, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and the Champion Stakes. Winners will also automatically qualify for the Breeders Cup, giving that extra bit of motivation for all the jockeys, trainers, and horses involved.
As previously mentioned, the Irish St. Leger is the final race to win to complete the Irish Triple Crown. Not only this, but the flat race is also the final Irish Classic race of the season and is a huge indicator of elite talent, with winners going onto other big international races like the Melbourne Cup.
October
Early October sees Gowran Festival feature in the Irish racing calendar. The occasion includes races like the PwC Champion Chase, which is a steeplechase run over roughly 2 miles and 4 furlongs.
Galway Races October Festival at Gowran Park then finalises the Irish Flat racing season and is held over the bank holiday weekend. It offers competitive action and is another event that mixes both National Hunt jump and flat races.
November
Morgiana Hurdle
Occurring in late November, the Morgiana Hurdle is raced at Punchestown Racecourse. With it testing horses over 2 miles and a ½ furlong, it is a great indicator for which horses may see success in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
It has a significant standing in the Irish racing calendar and an illustrious history, being known for producing top-tier winners such as Hurricane Fly and State Man.
December
John Durkan Memorial Chase
The prestigious John Durkan Memorial Chase is a steeplechase occurring in December at Punchestown Racecourse. The race is run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and attracts winners of the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Being in December, it is a highlight early in the overall jump season and has provided many enthralling finishes. The chase is a strong indicator for talented horses due to its highly competitive nature.
Leopardstown Christmas Festival
This premier 4-day event will be held in late December, hosting seven Grade 1 races. The festival, which has now become a post-Christmas tradition, has the main event of the Savills Chase. This race is a key trial for horses and jockeys wanting to compete in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and has been ran in its current format since 1992.
With three wins, Beef Or Salmon is the most successful horse in the history of the Savills Chase, and Paul Carberry leads the jockeys with four triumphs.
Where can I bet on Irish race meetings?
So, fancy betting on a few Irish horse race meetings now that you have the full racing calendar? Head on over to our horse racing betting page to find odds for the latest races, including the next Irish meets!
If you’re more interested in learning more about racing first, we explain it all in our guide to horse racing betting, while our horse racing blog contains all the latest tips from experts such as Jockey Paul Townend, the 7-time Irish National Hunt Champion!
