Horse racing is the beating heart of Ireland and it really is the home of horse racing. It really is no shock that people see it as one of the main jurisdictions for horse racing anywhere in the world. The Irish produce some of the finest specimens of horses we have ever seen and the breeding side of things on the Emerald Isle is second to none.
Ireland also has produced the best jockeys and trainers in the world like Aidan O'Brien, Willie Mullins, Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh. Horse racing fans come from all over the world to visit Irish horse racing betting events and with that in mind, let's take a look at the most popular events and festivals for Irish people.
Dublin Racing Festival
The Dublin Racing Festival is a pretty new weekend of horse racing on the Irish circuit but it has quickly risen to the top of the pecking order in terms of quality and quantity. It is a superb National Hunt racing meeting for thoroughbred horses and is hosted annually by Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin. The fantastic two-day weekend meeting has incredible prize money on offer and attracts all of the star horses in the country. The main feature Grade 1 races over the weekend are the Irish Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Punchestown National Hunt Festival
The Punchestown Festival has traditionally always been the biggest week of racing in Ireland. The amazing few days of racing takes place every year following the Cheltenham Festival and although it might not be as huge as its British counterpart, the festival has races of similar quality and quantity and also has a very similar structure. The racing begins on a Tuesday through to Saturday and the biggest races too the week include the Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle, Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle and the Punchestown Gold Cup.
The Curragh Irish Derby Festival
Located in the stunning flat plains of County Kildare, The Curragh Irish Derby Festival is without doubt the most prestigious and glamorous event on the Irish horse racing calendar. This is Flat racing, not Jumps, and in general the dress code for this event would be a lot stricter than its National Hut counterparts. The three-day festival culminates with the prestigious Irish Derby, a race that offers the biggest prize for juvenile thoroughbreds in Irish horse racing. It really is a fabulous event that you should go to.
Galway Summer Festival
The Galway Summer Festival is without doubt the most fun week for Irish racegoers. Galway City is full of life, tradition and beautiful pints of Guinness and the nightlife there is second to none. This festival takes place usually at the very end of July through the start of August. Starting on the final Monday of July usually, the Galway Races festival runs for a full seven days and combines some amazing horse racing action, fabulous fashion and extremely competitive racing.
The Listowel Harvest Festival
Known as the working man's week of racing, The Harvest Festival takes place annually in Listowel in County Kerry, a very scenic location. This is another seven-day horse racing festival that caters for both Flat and National Hunt racing. Wednesday is the biggest day of the week as it plays host to the feature race of the week, The Kerry National. This handicap chase is the flagship race and it draws a huge crowd from all over the country. There’s plenty of entertainment and fantastic bars in the town of Listowel too.
Fairyhouse Easter Festival
Another massive festival in Ireland is the one at Fairyhouse during Easter and it plays host to the biggest jumps horse race in the country annually, the eagerly anticipated Irish Grand National. This marathon race attracts all of the classy stayers and with 30+ runners going to post every year, it really is a fantastic handicap chase every year. Grand National betting turnover is massive for this festival and it is always very well attended. The atmosphere is fantastic and traditionally the Irish Grand National is the one all trainers and owners want to win.
Cheltenham Festival
Although Cheltenham is in England and not Ireland, we can't leave without mentioning the Cheltenham Festival. This is the holy grail for all National Hunt lovers in both Ireland and Britain. Tens of thousands of Irish punters ascend on Prestbury Park in March every single year with bags full of cash. The most popular races over there for Irish gamblers are the Champion Hurdle, Stayers' Hurdle, Champion Chase, Gold Cup, Ryanair Chase and the Mares' Hurdle. A few weeks later, Aintree hosts the biggest race on earth, the Grand National. Other big British races and events are Glorious Goodwood, the 2000 Guineas and the 1000 Guineas.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is a prestigious horse racing event that takes place annually at the Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England. It is a world-renowned event that combines top-class horse racing with high fashion, pageantry, and royal presence. Royal Ascot spans over five days and attracts racing enthusiasts, socialites, and royalty from around the globe. Royal Ascot is not only a significant sporting event but also a cultural phenomenon that represents the epitome of British heritage, tradition, and style. It is an iconic event that combines the excitement of horse racing with a captivating blend of fashion, pageantry, and social celebration.