Following a vibrant St Patrick’s Festival raceday curtain-raiser, the 2026 flat season at the Curragh Racecourse is set to deliver a compelling blend of elite racing, major milestones and memorable days out for racegoers of all ages
From the return of the Irish classics to a historic first for Irish racing, the season promises to be one of the most exciting yet.
As the exclusive home of all five Irish classic races, the Curragh once again takes centre stage in the global racing calendar, hosting some of the sport’s most prestigious contests.
Tattersalls Irish Guineas Weekend (May 23th-24th) marks the beginning of the classic season, with three of Europe’s most coveted races taking place across two thrilling days: the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Irish 1,000 Guineas, and the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
The latter, boasting a €500,000 prize fund, continues to attract a world-class field, with leading contenders from Ireland, Britain and France amongst initial entries. Ranked amongst the top 10 races globally in 2025, its quality and international appeal remain unrivalled. The racing action will be followed by a lively after-party, featuring The Highstool Prophets.
Spotlight
The spotlight then turns to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival (June 26th-28th), the jewel in Ireland’s flat racing crown.
This three-day celebration combines top-class sport with entertainment and style, headlined by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, widely regarded as Ireland’s most prestigious flat race.
A newly-introduced weekend ticket at €70 offers exceptional value, with access to all three days and live music from The Whistlin’ Donkeys and The Tumbling Paddies. Supporting highlights include the Corinthian Challenge in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys and the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes.
In midsummer, the Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend (July 18th-19th) brings another classic to the fore, pairing elite competition on the track with a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere across the weekend.
The classic season concludes in style with the Irish Champions Festival (September 13th), where the Curragh hosts a thrilling day of world-class racing and fashion. The Comer Group International Irish St Leger, the fifth and final Irish classic, provides a fitting finale to the season.
IN a landmark moment for the sport, the Curragh Racecourse will host Ireland’s first-ever Good Friday raceday on April 3rd, marking a significant new chapter in Irish racing.
This unique fixture will combine high-quality racing with a vibrant, family-focused Easter celebration and, notably, free admission for all racegoers, made possible by the support of the Curragh On Course Bookmakers.
The eight-race card, featuring total prize money of €420,000, begins with the Irish Stallion Farms Juvenile Sprint Maiden and includes the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Park Express Stakes, which has seen a significant prize fund increase.
The 31 entries include the Ger Lyons-trained Faiyum and Red Letter, Paddy Twomey’s 2025 winner One Look, City of Memphis, Black Caviar Gold and Catalina Del Carpio.
Competitive handicaps, such as the €100,000 1xBet.ie Emerald Cup, promise strong fields and early-season excitement. The Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire winner and runner-up Ribee and Eastwatch are two of the 28 entries in the Emerald Cup Premier Handicap, along with Iron Fist, Layfayette, Norwalk Havoc, Cowardofthecounty, Coeur D’Or and Crypto Force.
Beyond the racing, the day is designed as a memorable Easter outing, with family attractions including Nore Valley Pet Farm, themed games and activities, and the chance to win a €2,500 Centre Parcs family getaway.
Curragh CEO Brian Kavanagh commented: “Hosting Ireland’s first-ever Good Friday raceday is a truly historic moment for the Curragh and for Irish racing.
“We are proud to open our gates for a special Easter celebration, designed with families in mind. With thrilling racing and much children’s entertainment, we look forward to welcoming regular and new racegoers of all ages for a memorable day at the home of Irish flat racing.”
Pictured at the recent opening of the flat season at Curragh Racecourse, sponsored by Nua Healthcare Services, are JJ Carey, Chief Operating Officer of Supported Living Services at Nua Healthcare; Danika McCartney, Chief Operating Officer of Nua Healthcare Services; jockey Jessica O’Gorman; Michael Higgins, General Manager of Irish Injured Jockeys; and Noel Dunne, Chief Executive Officer of Nua Healthcare Services, as a €2,500 donation is presented in support of Irish Injured Jockeys. The event also highlighted the vital services Nua Healthcare provides to children and adults with complex needs, with a particular focus on mental health supports \ Lorraine O'Sullivan
FROM classic contenders and international stars, to family festivals and a groundbreaking new raceday, the 2026 season at the Curragh Racecourse offers something for everyone. With world-class racing at its heart and an ever-growing calendar of experiences around it, the Curragh continues to reinforce its reputation as the home of Irish flat racing.
For tickets, packages and full event details, visit www.curragh.ie.
Remaining fixtures in 2026
Sat, March 28th: 1xBet.ie Gladness Stakes
Fri, April 3rd: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Park Express Stakes (Group 3)
Sun, April 19th: Alleged Stakes (Group 3)
Mon, May 4th: The Newbridge Parishes Race Day, Coolmore Henry Longfellow Tetrarch Stakes (Listed), Coolmore Auguste Rodin Athasi Stakes (Group 3) and Coolmore Delacroic Clem Murphy Mooresbridge Stakes (Group 2)
Sat, May 23rd: Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1), Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2) and Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes (Group 3)
Sun, May 24th: Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas (Group 1), Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1), Lanwades Stud Stakes (Group 2) and Kilkea Castle Marble Hill Stakes (Group 3)
Wed, June 3rd: Sky Bet Extra Places Everyday Handicap (Premier Handicap) and Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Handicap (Premier Handicap)
Fri, June 26th: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, Corinthian Challenge in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund
Sat, June 27th: Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1), Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2) and Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes (Group 3)
Sun, June 28th: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1), International Stakes (Group 3), Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes (Listed) and Dubai Duty Free Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes (Listed)
Sat, July 18th: Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend, Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1), GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2), Tulfarris Hotel & Resort Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) and Al Shira’aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes (Group 3)
Sun, July 19th: Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend, Minstrel Stakes (Group 2) and Curragh Cup (Group 2)
Sun, August 9th: Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) and FBD Hotels & Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Group 3)
Sun, August 16th: Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3) and Irish EBF Curragh Juvenile Sprint Stakes (Listed)
Sat, August 22nd: Coolmore Stud Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes (Group 2), Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes (Group 2) and Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (Group 3)
Sat, August 29th: Pat Smullen Race Day in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland, Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (Group 3), Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes (Group 3) and Snow Fairy Stakes (Group 3)
Sun, September 13th: Irish Champions Festival, Comer Group International Irish St Leger (Group 1), Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1), Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Group 1), Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) and Moyglare ‘’Jewels’’ Blandford Stakes (Group 2)
Sat, September 26th: Beresford Stakes (Group 2) and Goffs Million
Sun, September 27th: Park Stakes (Group 3), Renaissance Stakes (Group 3) and Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (Premier Handicap)
Sun, October 4th: Darley Irish EBF Brigid’s Pastures Stakes (Listed) and Coolmore Stud Sioux Nation Concorde Stakes (Listed)
Tues, October 20th: Staffordstown Stud Stakes (Group 3)
Sun, November 1st: Loughbrown Stakes (Group 3) and Finale Stakes (Listed)
Prophets, Paddies & Donkeys - Three huge afterparties at the Curragh! Enjoy classic racing on Saturday, May 23rd followed by the Highstool Prophets, whilst the Whistlin’ Donkeys return on Friday, June 26th to open the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival! The Irish Derby takes place on Sunday, 28th June with the festival coming to a roaring close courtesy of The Tumbling Paddies! Earlybird raceday tickets which include afterparty access available at the www.curragh.ie