Leopardstown Racecourse

About the course

Leopardstown sits at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, about six miles south of Dublin city centre, and is the only racecourse in the county. It was established in 1888 by Captain George Quin, who modelled it on Sandown Park in England. In 1967 it was bought by the Horse Racing Board of Ireland, now Horse Racing Ireland, and it remains one of HRI's racecourses.

The track is a left-handed oval of one mile and six furlongs with an uphill finishing straight, set in a 220-acre estate. Racing takes place all year round across 23 race days, and the course stages top races on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences. There is also a golf centre in the middle of the track.

Big meetings and races

Leopardstown's calendar is built around four highlights:

• The Christmas Festival: a four-day jumps meeting in December. See our Leopardstown Christmas Festival guide.
• The Dublin Racing Festival: a two-day jumps meeting in February. See our Dublin Racing Festival guide.
• Irish Champions Festival: Leopardstown hosts the opening day in September, with the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes and the Group 1 Matron Stakes. See our Irish Champions Festival guide.
• Bulmers Live at Leopardstown: a summer series of evening meetings with live music in the enclosures after racing.

The Irish Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Hurdle are among the biggest jumps races run at the course. Classic trials run each spring in April and May, and there is also a ticket-only Student Race Day.

Getting there

• By road: Heading south on the M50, take exit 14, go straight through the first roundabout and the traffic lights, then take the third exit at the next roundabout onto Leopardstown Road and the first right into the course. Heading north on the M50, take exit 15 and follow the signs. From the city centre, take the N11 past Stillorgan and turn right onto Leopardstown Road (R113). The course advises using the J15 exit and Car Park G to avoid congestion on Leopardstown Road.
• By Luas: The Green Line runs from the city centre to Sandyford in about 20 minutes. The course is a short walk from the stop, and a free shuttle bus runs from Sandyford at every meeting.
• By bus: The course is a 15 minute walk from the N11, served by Dublin Bus routes including the E1 and E2. The 114 from Blackrock DART station stops at the main gate. For big festivals, extra shuttle buses run from Blackrock DART station and Heuston station.
• From Dublin Airport: Aircoach route 700 runs to Leopardstown; get off at the last stop at the Clayton Hotel. Allow about an hour.

Facilities and tips for visitors

Car parking is free, and a free shuttle runs from all the Leopardstown car parks. Even so, the course asks racegoers to allow plenty of time for the journey on race days, especially at festival time.

Hospitality ranges from private boxes and suites to reserved seating with views of the track, and the 1888 restaurant overlooks the parade ring and the course. Bookmakers and the Tote are on course.

If this is your first time racing, read our guide to your first day at the races before you go.

Nearby places to stay

Leopardstown is within easy reach of Dublin city centre, and the Luas Green Line links the city with Sandyford, the stop closest to the course. Staying anywhere along the Green Line makes race days simple. Visitors flying in can also use the direct Aircoach link from Dublin Airport.