About the course
Cork Racecourse sits on the banks of the River Blackwater just outside Mallow, on the main Killarney road, about 35km north of Cork city. It opened in 1924 under the name Mallow Racecourse, and many racegoers still call it Mallow.
It is a fine galloping track: right-handed, about one and a half miles round, with a straight sprint course. Cork is one of the busiest racecourses in the country, staging around 20 meetings a year of both flat and jump racing, and it races throughout the year.
The area has a long link with jump racing. The nearby villages of Buttevant and Doneraile are associated with what is often described as the first steeplechase, said to have been run in 1752.
Big meetings and races
The highlight of the year is the three-day Easter Festival, which offers flat and jump racing across the Easter bank holiday weekend, with a Most Stylish Lady competition and entertainment for all ages.
Over jumps, Cork is home to the Cork Grand National handicap chase and the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase, a December fixture. The Imperial Call Chase in April and the Cork novice hurdle and chase in November are other notable jumps races. On the flat, the main events are the Group 3 Munster Oaks in summer and the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes in August.
The course also ran a series of Friday evening meetings in summer 2026. Check the official fixture list for current dates, and if you are new to racing, read our first day at the races guide.
Getting there
- By road: coming from Cork city or Limerick on the N20, go under the railway bridge at the roundabout in Mallow town. From the Dublin or Waterford direction (N72 and N73), take the town park bypass to reach the same roundabout. The racecourse is then out the Killarney road.
- By rail: Mallow station is served by trains from Cork, Dublin, Tralee and Killarney.
- Free shuttle bus: a complimentary shuttle runs for every fixture between Mallow train station, a town centre car park and the racecourse, before racing and after the last race. Times are posted on the racecourse website about a week before each meeting.
- By bus: a regular bus runs from Cork to Mallow.
- By air: Cork Airport is about 44km away, roughly 45 minutes by road.
Facilities and tips for visitors
- Children: under 14s get in free with an adult. There is a playground, and on some race days free entertainment such as face painting and magic shows. Baby changing is available in both stands, and staff will heat a bottle if you ask.
- Food and drink: restaurants and bars are spread through the stands, including a carvery, a fast food restaurant and three public bars on key days.
- Betting: Tote facilities are in the main Tote building and on all levels of the stands, and the bookmakers' ring sits between the Grand Stand and the Pavilion Stand.
- Dress: smart casual. Fancy dress is not allowed.
- Medical cover: doctors and Order of Malta staff are on duty on race days.
- Racecard: included with general admission.
Nearby places to stay
Mallow town is closest, a short shuttle ride from the course, and the countryside around it has country house options. Cork city, about 35km to the south, has the widest choice. If you are touring Munster, Killarney, Limerick and Listowel are all within reach.
Next meeting: Sunday, 11 October
13:02Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Academy Hurdle2m 1½f · Hurdle · 3yo · Good · €7,2007 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Baby Og t E Seymour | 10-9 | Conor Clarke(7) |
| 2 (0) | Destinedforhistory A D Leahy | 10-9 | Cian Quirke |
| 3 (0) | Free To Speak Patrick John Kiely | 10-9 | Ms A Power(7) |
| 4 (0) | Lighthouse Sarah Mark Michael McNiff | 10-9 | Phillip Enright |
| 5 (0) | Plumton Queen Gavin Cromwell | 10-9 | Kevin Sexton |
| 6 (0) | Why Wait Ciaran Murphy | 10-9 | Mark Walsh |
| 7 (0) | World Of The Way Henry de Bromhead | 10-9 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
13:37Co-Op Superstores 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle1m 7½f · Hurdle · 3yo · Good · €9,00011 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Another Day Done A. McCann | 11-0 | Sean Flanagan |
| 2 (0) | Atomic City Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 11-0 | Mark Walsh |
| 3 (0) | Boston Benjamin ht Gordon Elliott | 11-0 | Sam Ewing |
| 4 (0) | Chairmanforlife Mrs J. Harrington | 11-0 | Ricky Doyle |
| 5 (0) | Did Tell Sean O O'Brien | 11-0 | Mark McDonagh |
| 6 (0) | Green Soul Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 11-0 | J J Slevin |
| 7 (0) | Starship Trooper Ciaran Murphy | 11-0 | Eoin Walsh |
| 8 (0) | Step By Step h Aidan Anthony Howard | 11-0 | Harry Cobden |
| 9 (0) | The Wee Man Mark Michael McNiff | 11-0 | Alan King(7) |
| 10 (0) | Wills History Brian M McMahon | 11-0 | Phillip Enright |
| 11 (0) | Divine Believer Henry de Bromhead | 10-7 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
14:12Kendellen Construction Handicap Hurdle2m 2½f · Hurdle · 3yo+ · Good · €6,00016 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Centreofattention b E Bolger | 12-0 | Harry Cobden |
| 2 (0) | Boola Times t David Kenneth Budds | 11-12 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| 3 (0) | Duke Otto Patrick J Flynn | 11-12 | Conor Smithers(7) |
| 4 (0) | Let Him B C Byrnes | 11-12 | Philip Byrnes |
| 5 (0) | Our Girl Ellie t S Ryan | 11-6 | J J Slevin |
| 6 (0) | Synchronize J Morrison | 11-5 | John Shinnick |
| 7 (0) | Phoenix Cowboy tp M Winters | 11-4 | Mike O'Connor |
| 8 (0) | Teagarden Jazz t Charlie Keegan | 11-3 | Eoghan Finegan(5) |
| 9 (0) | Boomerang Breeze Timothy Doyle | 11-2 | Mr D Doyle(5) |
| 10 (0) | Good Bye Milan Gillian Scott | 10-11 | Danny Mullins |
| 11 (0) | Ben Lomond b Gerard Kyne | 10-9 | Aidan Kelly |
| 12 (0) | C'Mere Girleen Alexander Ott | 10-9 | Phillip Enright |
| 13 (0) | Gortmore Lady b Ciaran Murphy | 10-8 | Eoin Walsh |
| 14 (0) | Stily b Michael J McDonagh | 10-7 | Cian Quirke |
| 15 (0) | John Dixen b P J Rothwell | 10-3 | Shane O'Callaghan(3) |
| 16 (0) | Finnicky Filly t John Patrick Ryan | 10-1 | Michael Kenneally(5) |
14:47Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction & Median Maiden Hurdle2m 4½f · Hurdle · 4-5yo · Good · €12,0008 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Martymill p A. McCann | 11-12 | James Smith(3) |
| 2 (0) | Outlaw Thief h Paul Stephen Kiely | 11-12 | Cian Quirke |
| 3 (0) | Ruled By The Sun Ray Hackett | 11-12 | Conor Clarke(7) |
| 4 (0) | Conor'salwaysright P J Rothwell | 11-10 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| 5 (0) | Nameyourgame Sean Thomas Doyle | 11-10 | Mr R Sugrue(7) |
| 6 (0) | Square Jasmin James William Hannon | 11-10 | Donagh Meyler |
| 7 (0) | The Bosses Order A D Leahy | 11-10 | Dylan O'Connor(7) |
| 8 (0) | Our Sara James Andrew Fahey | 11-5 | Conor Smithers(7) |
15:22Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle3m · Hurdle · 4yo+ · Good · €9,3004 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Dad Sez Gordon Elliott | 11-10 | Kevin Healy(7) |
| 2 (0) | Hi Ho Idaho t Cian Collins | 11-10 | Danny Gilligan |
| 3 (0) | Siege Of Carthage p Josh Halley | 11-10 | Phillip Enright |
| 4 (0) | Minella Emperor Emmet Mullins | 11-4 | Mr M J O'Neill(7) |
15:57Friends Of Castlemagner LGFA Rated Novice Steeplechase2m 1½f · Chase · 4yo+ · Good · €7,2008 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Chosen Shant p Aengus King | 11-12 | J J Slevin |
| 2 (0) | Phoenix Arizona John J Cullen | 11-12 | Thomas O'Connor(7) |
| 3 (0) | Claude tb Sarah Joanna Connell | 11-6 | Aidan Kelly |
| 4 (0) | Moylussa p Maike Magnussen | 11-6 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| 5 (0) | Ned In The Park Timothy Doyle | 11-6 | Mr D Doyle(5) |
| 6 (0) | Nobody ht Brendan Maurice Walsh | 11-6 | Josh Williamson(3) |
| 7 (0) | Pralognan t A. J. Martin | 11-6 | Daniel King |
| NR (0) | Rosenborg P J Rothwell | 11-6 | Mr R Sugrue(7) |
| 9 (0) | Seven Towers tp Gavin Cromwell | 11-6 | Kevin Sexton |
16:32Co-Op Superstores Handicap Steeplechase2m 1½f · Chase · 4yo+ · Good · €15,0008 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Jasko des Dames tp Henry de Bromhead | 11-12 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| 2 (0) | Birdie Or Bust t Henry de Bromhead | 11-7 | Harry Cobden |
| 3 (0) | Crowsatedappletart tp M Winters | 11-4 | Michael Kenneally(5) |
| 4 (0) | Drumgill John Patrick Ryan | 10-13 | Daniel King |
| 5 (0) | Cappa Hill t Sean Joseph Allen | 10-9 | Sam Ewing |
| 6 (0) | Mic Drop David M O'Brien | 10-7 | Sean Flanagan |
| 7 (0) | Typical Thomas James Andrew Fahey | 10-2 | Philip Donovan |
| 8 (0) | Piccolo Player John Patrick Ryan | 10-0 | Peter Smithers(5) |
17:07Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel (Pro/Am) Flat Race2m 3f · NH Flat · 4yo+ · Good · €7,2008 runners
| No. | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (0) | Ifuknowuknow S G Carey | 12-0 | Miss A B O'Connor |
| 2 (0) | Passenger D K Weld | 12-0 | Mr Finian Maguire |
| 3 (0) | Rokanako h Edward F Power | 12-0 | Mr P A King(3) |
| 4 (0) | Kilbeg Jimmy John Queally | 11-7 | Mr J L Gleeson |
| 5 (0) | Poet's Sonnet t Paul Cashman | 11-7 | Mr A P Ryan(3) |
| 6 (0) | Bairdin ht Kieran Purcell | 11-6 | Paddy Cody(7) |
| 7 (0) | Klassical Kid Colm Ryan | 11-6 | Mr H C Swan |
| 8 (0) | Sir Kybo Augustine Leahy | 11-6 | Mr D Doyle(5) |
Latest highlights
Highlights from Horse Racing Ireland on YouTube. Full race replays are on Racing TV.
Questions people ask
Is there a free bus to Cork Racecourse?
Yes. A complimentary shuttle runs for every fixture between Mallow train station, a town centre car park and the racecourse, before and after racing. Times go up on the racecourse website about a week before each meeting.
Do children pay at Cork Racecourse?
Children aged 14 and under go free when accompanied by an adult, and there is a playground on site.
Is Cork Racecourse the same as Mallow Racecourse?
Yes. The course near Mallow opened in 1924 as Mallow Racecourse and is now called Cork Racecourse, often written as Cork Racecourse Mallow.
Sources
- Cork Racecourse Mallow: Our location
- Cork Racecourse Mallow: Free shuttle bus
- Cork Racecourse Mallow: FAQ
- Cork Racecourse Mallow: Children's facilities
- Cork Racecourse Mallow: The public bars
- Cork Racecourse Mallow: Accommodation
- Cork Racecourse Mallow home page
- Horse Racing Ireland: Cork Racecourse
- AIR: Cork
- Wikipedia: Cork Racecourse
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Dates and details change, so check with the racecourse before you travel.