About the course
The Curragh is the home of Irish flat racing. It sits on the open grassland plains of County Kildare, just off the M7, and the name comes from the Irish for "place of the running horse". The racecourse itself is recorded as a monument under the National Monuments Act, and the surrounding plain is described by the racecourse as one of Europe's oldest grasslands.
Racing here has a very long history: the first recorded race took place in 1727, and the Irish Derby was first run in 1866. The track is a right-handed, horseshoe-shaped galloping course with a testing uphill finish. The grandstand and facilities were rebuilt in a redevelopment that began in 2017 and was completed before the 2019 flat season.
The racecourse also looks after the Curragh Training Grounds, around 1,500 acres of gallops that are maintained 365 days a year.
Big meetings and races
The Curragh stages all five Irish Classics and 11 Group 1 races across a season of around 24 race days, running from March to early November.
- Irish Guineas Festival: the Irish 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas, usually over a weekend in late May.
- [Irish Derby Festival](/festivals/irish-derby-festival): a three-day festival in late June or early July, built around the Irish Derby, the richest race in the Irish calendar.
- Irish Oaks weekend: usually in late July, with the Irish Oaks on the Saturday and a family day on the Sunday.
- [Irish Champions Festival](/festivals/irish-champions-festival): the Curragh hosts the second day in September, shared with Leopardstown.
The fifth Classic, the Irish St Leger, completes the set. First time at the races? Our first day at the races guide covers the basics.
Getting there
- By road: from Dublin, take Exit 9 off the M50 onto the N7 southbound, then Exit 12 off the M7. Parking is free and signposted, with accessible spaces at every meeting.
- By rail: mainline trains stop at Kildare and Newbridge. Check Irish Rail for times.
- Free shuttle bus: a complimentary return bus runs from Kildare station and Kildare Square to the racecourse, timed to meet trains. The journey takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Groups of ten or more can arrange transport through the racecourse's coach partner at least two days ahead.
Facilities and tips for visitors
- Children: under 18s go free on most race days with a parent or guardian. On Classic days, 13 to 18 year olds may pay a small charge. The Moyglare Kids Zone offers entertainment for younger visitors.
- Arrival: turnstiles generally open about two hours before the first race, and the racecourse advises arriving at least an hour before it.
- Food and drink: you cannot bring your own food or drink, but there are cafés, restaurants and bars throughout, including a café open seven days a week and a champagne bar on the terrace.
- Betting: Tote and bookmakers are on site every race day.
- Accessibility: the racecourse aims to be accessible to all, with blue badge parking available.
- Dress: there is a style page on the official site with guidance for the bigger days.
Nearby places to stay
Kildare town and Newbridge are the closest bases, both with train links and shuttle or taxi access to the course. Naas is also nearby, and Dublin, reachable by train or the M7, suits visitors who want a city stay. Other Kildare courses at Naas and Punchestown are a short drive away.
Latest results: Sunday, 4 October
13:20Final Furlong Podcast With 1xBet.ie Irish EBF Fillies Maiden7f · Flat · 2yo · SoftWon by Pirate Anne Bonny
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Pirate Anne Bonny P. Twomey | 9-2 | W. J. Lee |
| 2nd | Little Darling J. P. Murtagh | 9-2 | Ben Coen |
| 3rd | Petticoat Bay Aidan O'Brien | 9-2 | Jack Cleary |
| 4th | Golden Gift Gavin Cromwell | 9-2 | G. F. Carroll |
| 5th | Bayside Girl Gavin Cromwell | 9-2 | Robert Whearty |
| 6th | Darlene Robson De Aguiar | 9-2 | Donagh O'Connor |
| 7th | Belle Vision Ms Sheila Lavery | 9-2 | Robbie Colgan |
13:55Bermingham Cameras Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden7f · Flat · 2yo · SoftWon by Hmas Perth
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Hmas Perth t Aidan O'Brien | 9-5 | W. M. Lordan |
| 2nd | Nonsense John S O'Donoghue | 9-5 | Rowan Scott |
| 3rd | Wo Wo Never Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-5 | Declan McDonogh |
| 4th | The Windhover A. Slattery | 9-5 | Andrew Slattery |
| 5th | Muscogee Nation (CAN) M D O'Callaghan | 9-5 | Seamie Heffernan |
| 6th | Paraguay Aidan O'Brien | 9-0 | Jack Cleary |
| 7th | Heralds March G. M. Lyons | 9-5 | G. F. Carroll |
| 8th | Invincible Mind Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-5 | J M Sheridan |
| 9th | Scrap The Lot Mark Fahey | 9-5 | W. J. Lee |
| 10th | Johntom Gavin Cromwell | 9-5 | Robert Whearty |
| 11th | A Lovely Manoeuvre Ms Margaret Mullins | 9-5 | N G McCullagh |
| 12th | Boxwood Hill Gavin Cromwell | 9-2 | Jack Kearney |
14:30Coolmore Sioux Nation Concorde Stakes (Listed)7f · Flat · Class 1 · 3yo+ · SoftWon by King Cuan
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | King Cuan P. Twomey | 9-7 | W. J. Lee |
| 2nd | Princess Child t Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-4 | J M Sheridan |
| 3rd | Loughrea A. Slattery | 9-7 | Andrew Slattery |
| 4th | Lewis Carroll Aidan O'Brien | 9-5 | W. M. Lordan |
| 5th | Big Gossey t Charles O'Brien | 9-10 | Robert Whearty |
| 6th | Wannabe Royal Henry de Bromhead | 9-7 | R. P. Whelan |
| 7th | Unauthorized h Aidan Melia | 9-5 | Reese Holohan |
| 8th | Dmaniac Martin Hassett | 9-7 | Chris Hayes |
| 9th | Sindagan J. P. Murtagh | 9-5 | Ben Coen |
| 10th | Carolina Jetstream Robson De Aguiar | 9-4 | Donagh O'Connor |
15:051xBet.ie Proud Supporters Of Irish Racing Handicap1m 1f · Flat · 3yo+ · YieldingWon by Iamimmaculate
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Iamimmaculate t G. O'Leary | 8-11 | Declan McDonogh |
| 2nd | Benevento Robson De Aguiar | 9-13 | Donagh O'Connor |
| 3rd | Majestic King Denis Gerard Hogan | 8-8 | Chris Hayes |
| 4th | Final Voyage J. P. Murtagh | 8-8 | Ross Fagan |
| 5th | Lady Lilac b Joseph G Murphy | 9-1 | G. F. Carroll |
| 6th | Eastwatch p A. Slattery | 9-9 | Sam Coen |
| 7th | Johnny Soda Adrian McGuinness | 9-2 | Adam Caffrey |
| 8th | Cristal Clere John J Nallen | 9-5 | Jimmy Dalton |
| 9th | Galileo Noir Noel Meade | 8-2 | Reese Holohan |
| 10th | Noble Honour Mrs J. Harrington | 8-5 | Keithen Kennedy |
15:40Hailey Equine Irish EBF Brigid's Pastures Stakes (Listed)6f · Flat · Class 1 · 3yo+ · SoftWon by Carla Ridge
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Carla Ridge Eddie & Patrick Harty | 9-3 | Chris Hayes |
| 2nd | Dancing Saxon Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-2 | J M Sheridan |
| 3rd | Royal Bay Cen J. P. Murtagh | 9-5 | Ben Coen |
| 4th | Space Bear Michael Appleby | 9-2 | Jason Watson |
| 5th | Staysound Susie A. Slattery | 9-3 | Andrew Slattery |
| 6th | Pivotal Attack Joseph G Murphy | 9-5 | G. F. Carroll |
| 7th | Spinning Around t Donnacha Aidan O'Brien | 9-2 | Gavin Ryan |
| 8th | Treasure Rose p J. P. Murtagh | 9-3 | N G McCullagh |
| 9th | Thenandnow p Mrs J. Harrington | 9-2 | Nathan Crosse |
| 10th | Fregada John James Feane | 9-3 | R. P. Whelan |
| 11th | Greydreambeliever Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-3 | Declan McDonogh |
| 12th | Luna Mia Henry de Bromhead | 9-2 | Wesley Joyce |
| 13th | Focaccia J A Stack | 9-2 | Seamie Heffernan |
| 14th | Likedbymike M J Byrne | 9-6 | W. J. Lee |
| 15th | Institute Aidan O'Brien | 9-2 | W. M. Lordan |
| 16th | Do For Love b K J Condon | 9-2 | Donagh O'Connor |
16:15Business Plus Handicap6f · Flat · 3yo+ · SoftWon by Nouvel Espoir
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Nouvel Espoir James M Barcoe | 8-13 | Julian Pietropaolo |
| 2nd | Therewillbeglory A. Slattery | 9-6 | Andrew Slattery |
| 3rd | Smoke Them Out T G McCourt | 9-3 | Terry Casey |
| 4th | Go Athletico t Adrian McGuinness | 9-9 | R. P. Whelan |
| 5th | Irish Rumour t Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch | 8-10 | Orla Tynan |
| 6th | Contrary To Law J. P. Murtagh | 9-10 | Ben Coen |
| 7th | Michael's Well tb Eddie & Patrick Harty | 9-9 | Declan McDonogh |
| 8th | Tolebi G. O'Leary | 9-2 | Danny O'Leary |
| 9th | Apache Outlaw tp Adrian McGuinness | 9-4 | Adam Caffrey |
| 10th | I Bid You Ajou Mark Fahey | 9-7 | Reese Holohan |
| 11th | Jon Riggens tv Edward Lynam | 9-8 | James Ryan |
| 12th | Gerrit's Gem b J G Coogan | 9-1 | Jack Cleary |
| 13th | Real Force G. O'Leary | 9-9 | Sam Coen |
| 14th | Nakamura b J. P. Murtagh | 9-9 | Patrick McGettigan |
| 15th | Go Out Daniel James Murphy | 8-10 | Jamie Powell |
| 16th | Sommelier tv Kieran P Cotter | 9-13 | Nathan Crosse |
| 17th | Noble Nation t G. O'Leary | 9-2 | G. F. Carroll |
| 18th | Venetian Star tb Patrick T Foley | 8-13 | Luke McAteer |
| 19th | Green Kite Kevin Thomas Coleman | 8-4 | Conor Cusack |
| 20th | Tawaazon tb John Andrew Kinsella | 8-2 | Keithen Kennedy |
| 21st | Cool Azul A Oliver | 9-13 | W. J. Lee |
| 22nd | Apothic Red v T G McCourt | 8-11 | Sadhbh Tormey |
16:50Holden Plant Rentals Lady Riders Classic (Q.R.) Handicap1m 4f · Flat · 3yo+ · YieldingWon by Whimsy
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Whimsy p A. McCann | 10-9 | Ms Aine Connolly |
| 2nd | Rest Your Mind G. O'Leary | 10-6 | Miss O M Queally |
| 3rd | Alfalfa Timothy Doyle | 9-13 | Ms J I Stokes |
| 4th | The Mediator Gordon Elliott | 10-10 | Ms C E O'Ryan |
| 5th | Beyond Your Dreams p Padraig Roche | 10-10 | Miss A B O'Connor |
| 6th | Sinbad My Dad b Seamus Fahey | 10-9 | Miss Georgie Benson |
| 7th | Satono Chevalier b M K Flannery | 10-9 | Ms E C Costello |
| 8th | Mapa (CAN) ht Ms Sheila Lavery | 9-7 | Miss R Hogan |
| 9th | A Wave Of The Sea J P Broderick | 10-8 | Miss L Costello |
| 10th | High Honour tp Donal Kinsella | 10-0 | Miss M Walsh |
| 11th | Prophet's Path Liam P Cusack | 10-8 | Ms S Joubert |
| 12th | Ben Vrackie p James Andrew Fahey | 11-0 | Miss H A Smith |
17:251xBet.ie Proud Partners Of Irish Sport Apprentice Handicap1m · Flat · 3yo+ · SoftWon by Blue Blue Moon
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Blue Blue Moon J. P. Murtagh | 9-11 | Rory Mulligan |
| 2nd | Loingseoir t M C Grassick | 8-4 | Shay Wallace |
| 3rd | Lady Arwen Conor O'Dwyer | 9-7 | Keithen Kennedy |
| 4th | Spacebound Daniel McLoughlin | 9-13 | Patrick McGettigan |
| 5th | Titanium b Ciaran Murphy | 9-0 | Sadhbh Tormey |
| 6th | Highbury See See A. Slattery | 9-8 | Sam Coen |
| 7th | Cherry Hill Girl A. Slattery | 9-3 | Jimmy Dalton |
| 8th | Montevetro Denis Gerard Hogan | 8-0 | Mel Sheridan |
| 9th | Rhythm King Mark Fahey | 8-13 | Reese Holohan |
| 10th | Terre De Vega ht John Andrew Kinsella | 9-5 | Terry Casey |
| 11th | Whiskey And Beer Charles Coakley | 8-10 | Robyn Donaghue-Leahy |
| 12th | Local Lad p G. O'Leary | 9-2 | Nicola Burns |
| 13th | Flanker Jet Robson De Aguiar | 9-11 | Adam Browne-Souza |
| 14th | Pretty Omagh Girl A Oliver | 9-11 | Julian Pietropaolo |
| 15th | Stellar View Henry de Bromhead | 8-8 | Conor Cusack |
| 16th | Lady Mary Heath Aidan Anthony Howard | 8-11 | Jack Cleary |
Latest highlights
Highlights from Horse Racing Ireland on YouTube. Full race replays are on Racing TV.
Questions people ask
Is there a shuttle bus to the Curragh?
Yes. A free return shuttle runs from Kildare train station and Kildare Square to the racecourse, timed to meet trains. The trip takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I bring children to the Curragh?
Yes. Under 18s go free on most race days with a parent or guardian, although 13 to 18 year olds may pay a small charge on Classic days.
Can I bring a picnic to the Curragh?
No. Outside food and drink are not permitted, but there is a range of cafés, restaurants and bars on site.
Sources
- The Curragh Racecourse home page
- The Curragh: How to get here
- The Curragh: FAQs
- The Curragh: About
- Horse Racing Ireland: Curragh Racecourse
- AIR: Curragh
- Wikipedia: Curragh Racecourse
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Dates and details change, so check with the racecourse before you travel.