With the Irish Derby Festival right around the corner, set to kick off on June 27th, 2025, all eyes of racing enthusiasts are starting to turn to Ireland. So, with the return to the Curragh in June 2025, there’s no better time to explore Ireland’s most iconic racecourses.
Whether you’re looking for a thrilling day of racing action, or the chance to bet on horse racing – on platforms like LiveScore Bet Ireland – the Emerald Isle is home to a proud and storied horseracing heritage, where you’ll find some of the world’s finest tracks.
From the flat to the jumps, here’s a look at the courses that have shaped Irish racing:
The Curragh – The home of the Irish classics
Of course, no discussion of Irish racing would be complete without the Curragh. Since we’re soon to be heading back there, we thought we’d start with this iconic location nestled in County Kildare.
The Curragh is Ireland’s premier flat racing venue and the home of all five Irish Classics. The most famous of these is the Irish Derby, first run in 1866, which is held each June as the centrepiece of the Irish flat season.
Many legends have been born at the Curragh, from Nijinsky in 1970 to more recent champions like Camelot and Auguste Rodin. The Irish Derby has undoubtedly showcased some of the greatest thoroughbreds in history.
Leopardstown – Where class meets the capital
Located just south of Dublin, Ireland’s beloved capital city, Leopardstown Racecourse offers both flat and National Hunt racing. This racecourse is particularly renowned for its winter jumping festival, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, as well as the Dublin Racing Festival, which is renewed every February.
You may be familiar with some of the courses most famous contenders, from the likes of Hurricane Fly, Faugheen, and Honeysuckle , who have delighted National Hunt fans in races such as the Irish Champion Hurdle and Irish Gold Cup.
Its proximity to Dublin also makes it a favourite for casual fans and seasoned punters alike, since you can get a good blend of top-tier racing with a vibrant social atmosphere.
Punchestown – The home of Irish jump racing
Another famous racecourse in County Kildare – and just a short drive from the Curragh – Punchestown is the spiritual home of Irish National Hunt racing.
The five-day Festival each April marks the dramatic climax of the Irish jumps season and features many Grade 1 races. Fans can witness spectacles such as the Punchestown Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle.
This course has featured showdowns between Ireland and Britain’s top trainers, jockeys and horses.
Galway – Festival fever on the west coast
Although Galway Racecourse at Ballybrit might not hold the same history as some of the others, it more than makes up for it with its character.
The week-long Galway Festival that welcomes fans every summer is as much a vibrant social event as a sporting one. Racing enthusiasts can enjoy an action-packed blend of flat and jump racing. The Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle are the standout contests, with a carnival atmosphere that radiates the warmth and fun of the West of Ireland.
It’s a meeting where underdogs often have their day, and memories are made.
A proud tradition continues From the lush plains of the Curragh to the festive flair of Galway, it’s not hard to see why Ireland’s racecourses are among some of the best in horse racing. These beautiful courses are woven into the cultural fabric of the country, and with the 2025 Irish Derby just around the corner, the spotlight will once again shine on these historic tracks.