Wexford Racecourse

About the course

Wexford Racecourse is at Bettyville, on the edge of Wexford town, 1km from the centre on the main Waterford road and opposite Wexford General Hospital. It races from March to November and is a jumps-only course.

The present course opened on 15 October 1951, when contemporary reports put the crowd at around 17,000, although racing in the area goes back to the 1870s. The track has been improved many times since. In early 2015 the direction of racing was switched from right-handed to left-handed, and in 2016 the course stopped staging Flat racing to concentrate on National Hunt.

Today the track is left-handed and undulating. Ruby Walsh, quoted on the racecourse website, describes a climb in the back straight, a descent to the bottom of the track, and a sharp rise off the home turn that continues uphill all the way to the winning post. He says the changes have turned it from a speed track into a stiffer test for stayers.

Big meetings and races

Wexford is best known for its Friday evening meetings in the summer, which draw a big local crowd. The racecourse lists 14 meetings in 2026, a mix of weekday and weekend racing, so there are fixtures to suit most people.

The racing is competitive, with large fields and races of varying grades, and leading stables send runners throughout the season. The course also offers group packages for hen and stag parties, and a Racing Club for regular supporters.

Getting there

• By road: leave the N25 at the New Ross roundabout and head towards Wexford town. The racecourse is 1km along on the right, opposite Wexford General Hospital.
• By rail: Irish Rail runs trains between Dublin and Wexford, stopping at Bray, Wicklow, Gorey and Enniscorthy.
• By bus: Wexford Bus runs a regular local service between Wexford station and Wexford General Hospital, opposite the course.
• By air: the nearest airport is Waterford.

Facilities and tips for visitors

There is free parking for about 250 cars in the centre of the racecourse. Race cards are on sale just inside the entrance and at the racecourse office opposite the parade ring, which also handles first aid and lost property.

The main stand has two bars upstairs, the Tote and plenty of cover if it rains, while the uncovered stand gives a good view of the finishing straight. The Long Bar looks straight out on the parade ring and the bookmakers. For food, the Ivy Room serves a carvery before and during racing, and the Paddock Café has tea, coffee and sandwiches. There is a free cloakroom and a baby changing and feeding area.

For wheelchair users, there is a dedicated viewing stand near the parade ring and accessible toilets. The racecourse can arrange for wheelchair users to be dropped off inside the stiles if you phone ahead.

If you are new to racing, read our guide to your first day at the races.

Nearby places to stay

Wexford town has plenty of places to stay and is within walking distance of the course. The racecourse also suggests accommodation around the county, including Curracloe.

Wexford is within reach of Tramore and Gowran Park.