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Abbey Tours in conjunction with Excite Sports presents
Major Horse Festivals in Ireland
Horse racing in Ireland is not just a sport; it is a way of life. There are tracks all over the island, from Down Royal and Downpatrick in County Down to Killarney and Listowel in County Kerry.
Racing in Ireland takes place on the flat and also over obstacles (“jumps”). The Curragh is the headquarters of flat racing in Ireland. The flat season runs from late March to early November each year. The jumps season runs all year round but most of the top-quality horses can be seen in action from October to April. Ireland is acknowledged as one of the best places in the world for breeding horses due to its rich limestone soil. Ireland has also produced many of the top trainers and jockeys in the world.
Guineas Festival - this two-day meeting takes place at the end of May at The Curragh racecourse in County Kildare and is acknowledged as the true start of the flat racing season in Ireland. The first Classic race of the Irish season takes place on Saturday with the best three-year-old milers lining up for the 2000 Guineas. On Sunday, it is the turn of their female counterparts when the best fillies in Europe compete for the 1000 Guineas, also over one mile. Sunday also sees the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (for older horses) taking place over ten furlongs.
Irish Derby Festival - this fixture at The Curragh racecourse takes place over three days at the end of June. Friday is an evening meeting and is the start of the festivities. Saturday sees the richest race in Ireland take place, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, over one and a half miles. The best middle-distance colts in Europe will compete for this prestigious prize. In the past, the race has often seen the winners of the English and French Derbies clash for the right to the title of best middle-distance three-year-old in Europe. The fillies take centre stage on Sunday with the running of the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes.
Galway Race Week - the Summer Festival meeting at Galway Races is renowned worldwide for its electric atmosphere, excellent racing and infectious sense of fun. The Festival runs for seven consecutive days starting from the last Monday in July each year. The records for attendance numbers are broken every year as the Festival grows in popularity. Veteran race goers, and indeed those who simply love the atmosphere, travel from around the world for the unique experience that is the Galway Races. The racecourse is situated on the outskirts of Galway city and major races include the Galway Plate Handicap Steeplechase on Wednesday and the Galway Hurdle on Thursday.
Irish St Leger Festival - this day of top-class racing has as its highlight the one mile, six furlongs Irish St Leger which is open to both three-year-olds and older horses and usually features some of Europe’s best stayers. In the past, this race has been won by horses of the calibre of Vintage Crop and Yeats.
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