Best Horse Racing Tracks in Ireland 2024

Downpatrick Racecourse 

Feature race: The Ulster Grand National 

Downpatrick is the oldest racecourse in Ireland. In 1685 racing first took place on the old course, a few miles from the current track. Only staging national hunt racing is a tight right-handed track with an uphill climb to the finish. 

Down Royal Racecourse 

Feature Race: Ladbrokes Champion Chase

Located close to Belfast, Down Royal always attracts good crowds and boasts top-class facilities. Their meeting in October really kickstarts the national hunt season, with trainer Gordon Elliott often introducing many of his stable stars for their season bows. In the summer the two-day Ulster Derby meeting is the highlight. 

Limerick Racecourse

Feature Race: Faugheen Grade 1 Novice Chase

One of Ireland's newest tracks, having opened up in 2001, it has quickly established itself as a premier venue. A right-handed oval track, it hosts both national hunt and flat fixtures, but their Christmas meeting has become the highlight. The Faugheen Grade 1 Novice Chase, named after Willie Mullins' great Champion Hurdler, is among the highlights. 

Listowel Racecourse

Feature Race: Kerry National Handicap Chase

The Kerry venue is one of the most historic and famous throughout the country. While they also hold a three-day meeting on the June Bank Holiday weekend, the racecourse really comes alive for the seven-day Harvest Festival in September.

Bellewstown Racecourse

On the Hill of Crockafotha in Co Meath, it is an ideal setting for a racecourse and punters flock to the track in their droves during the summer months. Due to the popularity of the meetings, new fixtures have been added in recent years. While the racing is not necessarily of the highest quality, the atmosphere is always top-notch.

Curragh Racecourse

Feature Race: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby 

The home of national hunt racing in Ireland, the Curragh hosts all five Irish classic races in the 1,000 Guineas, the 2,000 Guineas, the Irish Derby, the Irish Oaks and the Irish St. Leger. Having undergone renovations in recent years, it now boasts some of the best facilities in the country and is the place to go to see the fastest horses in the land. 

Dundalk Stadium 

Ireland's only and first all-weather racecourse, Dundalk is now one of the most important tracks in the country. Combining a greyhouse facility, it has a regular Friday evening slot during the winter months. 

Fairyhouse Racecourse

Feature Race: BoyleSports Irish Grand National

The home of the Irish Grand National, Fairyhouse is one of the most recognisable racecourses in Ireland with a long history. Situated in Ratoath, Meath, Fairyhouse is a right-handed circuit that has a slight uphill finish and some stiff fences to negotiate on the chase track. Famous horses to win the Irish Grand National include Desert Orchid and three-time winner Brown Lad, with tens of thousands attending the meeting each year. 

Gowran Park Racecourse

Feature Race: Thyestes Handicap Chase

The Kilkenny racecourse is in the midst of some of the country's biggest breeding and training operations. Hosting meetings over both codes throughout the year is a right-handed track that hosted its first race day in 1914. Undoubtedly, the course's biggest race is the Thyestes Handicap Chase, known as the 'race that stops a county'. 

Leopardstown Racecourse

Feature Race: Group 1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes

Easily accessible from Dublin, Leopardstown is one of Ireland's premier racecourses with top-class facilities. Hosting top-class races over jumps and on the flat is one of the most-respected tracks in the country. Its yearly highlights include the opening day of the Irish Champions Weekend, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle and the Unibet Irish Gold Cup.

Naas Racecourse

Feature Race: Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle

A favourite for many trainers, Naas Racecourse hosts top-class action on the flat and over jumps. A left-handed track with an uphill finish, it now has a Grade 1 in its schedule in the shape of the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle, which has proven a great trial for the Cheltenham Festival in recent years. 

Navan Racecourse

Feature Race: Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase

With local trainers including Gordon Elliott, Noel Meade and Gavin Cromwell, Navan is the ideal location for a top-class venue. Boasting a stiff uphill finish reminiscent of Cheltenham, many brilliant horses have run there over the years, including the great two-mile chaser Moscow Flyer, who was a regular visitor.

Wexford Racecourse

Racing from March to November, Wexford Racecourse is best known for its popular Friday evening meetings during the summer months. In May 2016, Wexford became a National Hunt-only racecourse a year after switching from being a right-handed to a left-handed course

Punchestown Racecourse

Feature Race: Punchestown Gold Cup

The home of national hunt racing in Ireland, the Punchestown brings the curtain down on the season with a five-day meeting that brings together the country's best hurdlers and chasers. Previous to the Festival, the County Kildare courses hosts for the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle in November and the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase, but the Festival is a bonanza of jump racing action, with 12 Grades 1 up for grabs.

Galway Racecourse

Feature Race: Guinness Galway Plate

Just outside the city of Galway, Ballybrit is the home of the Galway Races, one of Ireland's biggest social events of the year. Featuring the Galway Plate and the Galway Hurdle, the seven-day Galway Festival attracts tens of thousands of punters each day for the racing action and a host of activities. Check out our betting guide, ticket information and more for the Galway Races.