Curragh Horse Races

Curragh Racecourse is a right-handed track of around 2 mile sin length and horseshoe in shape. There are many races of up to 1 miles that are run of the main straight at The Curragh.

The name Curragh is from the Irish word Cuirreach which means ‘place of the running horse’ and that description is just as accurate as it was back in 1727 when the first recorded race at The Curragh can be traced back to.

The majority of Ireland’s notable horse races are held at The Curragh including the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Irish Derby, the Irish Oaks and the Irish St Leger; all 5 of Irelands classic races. The racecourse also offers the highest purses and the highest quality Flat horse racing on the island of Ireland.

Alongside the classics, other races of note to be run at The Curragh includes Park Express Stakes (Group 3), Gladness Stakes (Group 3), Athasi Stakes (Group 3), Mooresbridge Stakes (Group 3), Tetrarch Stakes (Listed), Ridgewood Pearl Stakes (Group 3), Greenlands Stakes (Group 3), Gallinule Stakes (Group 3), Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1), International Stakes (Group 3), Railway Stakes (Group 2), Sapphire Stakes (Group 3), Curragh Cup (Group 3), Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1), Balanchine Stakes (Group 3), Anglesey Stakes (Group 3), Minstrel Stakes (Group 3), Kilboy Estate Stakes (Group 2), Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Group 3), Phoenix Stakes (Group 1), Debutante Stakes (Group 2), Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3), Futurity Stakes (Group 2), Flying Five Stakes (Group 3), Curragh Stakes (Listed), Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (Group 3), Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1), Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes (Group 3), Round Tower Stakes (Group 3), Renaissance Stakes (Group 3), Blandford Stakes (Group 2), Vincent O’Brien Stakes (Group 1), Solonaway Stakes (Group 2), C.L. Weld Park Stakes (Group 3) and the Beresford Stakes (Group 2).

As one of the Republic of Ireland’s most historic racecourses, which can trace racing back to the first recorded race in 1727, the track has managed to keep at the cutting edge of racing in Ireland by continuing to attract many of the top horses, jockeys and owners to County Kildare.

A lot of that is down to the prestigious nature of many of the races held at the course including a number of Group 1 racings.

A number of iconic jockeys have really made their name at the course with Johnny Murtagh and Mick Kinane leading the way in terms of wins with over 3000 a piece whist Kevin manning, Pat Smullen and Christy Roche have also enjoyed lots of success.

The trainer to enjoy the most success is A.P. O’Brien with over 600 wins whilst J.S. Bolger, D.K. Weld and John M. Oxx have all enjoyed over 300 victories at the iconic course.

The Curragh also acts as a training ground with over 1500 acres of training facilities on offer and over 70 miles of turf gallops so it is no surprise that the course attracts a number of top horse with many going on to become superstars of the sport.

No matter if you are wanting to watch the 1000 Guineas, the 2000 Guineas, the Irish Oaks, the Irish Derby, the Irish St Leger or any other race from The Curragh live, the good news for all racing fans is that it has never been easier to do just that.

No longer do you need to head to the course in person or head to your local bookie in the hope that they will be showing live races that you are interested in.

Now you can simply pick and choose the races you want to watch and by registering with one of the bookmakers on this page, you can watch each and every race from The Curragh live online.

Whilst there is a wagering requirement to watch the action, the chances are that if you are searching for a live stream of Curragh racing, you will also be wanting to bet on the action before cheering your horse on to a hopefully victory.

History of Curragh Racecourse

Early origins: Racing on the Curragh Plains

The history of Curragh Racecourse is inseparable from that of the Curragh Plains in County Kildare, Ireland. The word Curragh is derived from the Irish term associated with a place of running horses, reflecting the area’s long-standing connection with equestrian activity. The plains cover approximately 5,000 acres of open grassland and are among Europe’s notable surviving areas of ancient grassland.

According to the racecourse’s official history, the area was associated with chariot racing as early as the third century. Traditional accounts connect the plains with ancient Irish kings, warriors and gatherings, although such stories should be distinguished from documented racing records. What is clear is that the open landscape has provided an ideal setting for horses for centuries.

The first recorded race meeting at the Curragh took place in 1727. However, organised racing was already developing across Ireland, and the plains became particularly important because their broad, open terrain could accommodate races over substantial distances. Early contests often involved match racing, with owners placing their horses against one another over courses of several miles.

By the eighteenth century, the Curragh had established itself as a significant venue for organised racing. The open land allowed horses to be trained and raced without the restrictions that would apply at more confined locations. The area’s importance gradually extended beyond race meetings to include horse training and the wider thoroughbred industry.

The eighteenth century: Establishing Irish racing traditions

During the eighteenth century, the Curragh became increasingly important to Irish racing. Historical accounts identify a four-mile King’s Plate as an early major contest, recorded as far back as 1717 in some racing histories. The exact chronology of early events varies between historical sources, but there is broad agreement that the plains were an established racing centre by the early 1700s.

One of the enduring features of the course is Conolly’s Mile, a straight mile associated with the 1760s. It remains part of the Curragh’s racing layout and reflects the long history of straight-course racing on the plains.

The wider course also developed through changes to the racing routes and circuits used over time. An elliptical course was established during the eighteenth century, followed by the Rutland Course, named after Charles Manners, the fourth Duke of Rutland and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. These developments helped shape the layout and organisation of racing at the venue.

In the 1760s, the Irish Turf Club was founded in Kildare. It became an important governing body for horse racing in Ireland, helping establish rules and standards for the sport. The growth of organised governance was essential as racing developed from local contests into a more formal and competitive industry.

1866: The first Irish Derby

A defining moment in the history of Curragh Racecourse came in 1866, when the first Irish Derby was run. The race was established as a major contest for three-year-old thoroughbreds and became one of the most prestigious events in Irish racing.

The Irish Derby is run over one mile and four furlongs, testing both speed and stamina. Its position within the Classic programme makes it an important target for horses that have already demonstrated high ability in races earlier in the season. A victory can establish a horse’s reputation and influence its future value as a breeding prospect.

The Derby’s arrival helped strengthen the Curragh’s reputation as the home of Irish flat racing. Over time, the race attracted leading horses from Ireland and Britain, while its winners became part of the broader history of European thoroughbred racing.

One of its most famous champions was Shergar, who won the Irish Derby in 1981 by four lengths. Shergar had already established himself as an exceptional horse after winning the Epsom Derby by a record margin of ten lengths. His success at the Curragh further enhanced his reputation before his later disappearance in 1983 became one of the most notorious unsolved cases in racing history.

1868: The Curragh of Kildare Act

As racing and military training became increasingly important uses of the plains, questions arose about how the land should be protected and managed. In 1865, a commission was established to examine the Curragh, leading to the Curragh of Kildare Act 1868.

The legislation helped establish the legal framework for preserving the plains for common pasture, horse racing and training. It was an important step in safeguarding the area’s role in Irish equestrian life and limiting the risk that competing land uses would undermine its traditional functions.

The Curragh was also used for military training. Cavalry trained on the plains before deployments connected with conflicts including the Crimean War, the Boer War and the First World War. This military association became another important part of the area’s identity, alongside racing and horse breeding.

The protection of the plains helped maintain a distinctive environment where horses could be trained across extensive grassland. It also preserved an important cultural landscape containing archaeological monuments and features of historical interest.

The development of the five Irish Classics

Over time, the Curragh became the home of all five Irish Flat Racing Classics. These races are among the most important contests in the Irish racing calendar and are central to the course’s international reputation.

The Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish 1,000 Guineas are one-mile races for three-year-olds, with the latter restricted to fillies. They are traditionally held in May and provide an early-season test of the leading horses of their generation.

The Irish Derby follows in June over one mile and four furlongs, while the Irish Oaks is staged in July over the same distance for three-year-old fillies. The Irish St Leger, held in September, is a longer-distance contest over one mile and six furlongs. Together, these races test speed, stamina and class across different categories of thoroughbreds.

The Classics have helped establish the Curragh as a venue where the careers of major racehorses can be defined. Winners often progress to further international competition or enter breeding programmes, making the results important beyond the immediate race day.

The course has hosted many celebrated champions, including Nijinsky, who won the Irish Derby in 1970, and Sea The Stars, who won the race in 2009. These horses became internationally recognised names and helped demonstrate the Curragh’s importance within the wider thoroughbred industry.

Twentieth-century racing and the Curragh’s wider role

During the twentieth century, the Curragh continued to develop as both a racing venue and a centre for training thoroughbreds. Its open plains and extensive training facilities made it an important base for horses preparing for major races in Ireland and abroad.

Training at the Curragh takes place across a network of gallops and exercise facilities. Different surfaces and routes allow trainers to prepare horses for particular races, develop fitness and assess their progress. The connection between training and racecourse success is a central part of the Curragh’s identity, with many horses competing at the venue after spending months working on the surrounding plains.

The racecourse also continued to attract major international interest through its Classic programme. Irish racing developed a strong reputation for producing talented horses, trainers and jockeys, and the Curragh remained at the centre of that success.

Among the notable champions associated with the course are Yeats, a four-time Gold Cup winner at Royal Ascot, and Enable, who won the Irish Oaks in 2017 before becoming one of the leading middle-distance fillies of her generation. Their achievements illustrate how races at the Curragh fit into the wider development of elite racehorses.

2017–2019: A major redevelopment

One of the most significant modern developments in the history of Curragh Racecourse was the major redevelopment of its facilities. Work began in 2017, with the project designed to provide a contemporary environment for racegoers while preserving the course’s identity and connection with the surrounding plains.

During the construction period, racing continued under temporary arrangements and with a reduced fixture programme. The redevelopment involved extensive work on spectator facilities, hospitality areas and the overall race-day experience.

The new racecourse facilities opened in 2019, marking a major milestone in the venue’s modern history. The development provided improved viewing areas, restaurants, bars, hospitality spaces and facilities designed to meet the expectations of contemporary racing audiences.

The project was intended to strengthen the Curragh’s position as an international racing destination. By combining its historic setting with modern facilities, the racecourse could continue to host the Irish Classics while providing an improved experience for owners, trainers, sponsors and spectators.

The Curragh today: The home of Irish flat racing

Today, Curragh Racecourse remains the home of Ireland’s five Flat Racing Classics and one of the most important thoroughbred racing venues in Europe. Its fixture list typically runs from March until early November, with meetings featuring championship races, supporting contests and events for different audiences.

The course is right-handed and broadly horseshoe-shaped, with a circuit of approximately two miles and a challenging uphill finish. Straight-course races over five and six furlongs provide a different test from longer contests around the circuit, helping create a varied racing programme.

The surrounding Curragh Plains continue to play a central role in Ireland’s thoroughbred industry. Training facilities, gallops and nearby stables support horses throughout the year, maintaining the close relationship between the racecourse and the wider horse-racing community.

The venue also welcomes families, social groups and visitors interested in Irish sporting heritage. Its modern facilities, hospitality options and programme of Classic race days allow the Curragh to appeal to experienced racing followers and newcomers alike.

From the first recorded race meeting in 1727 to the opening of the modern facilities in 2019, the Curragh’s history reflects the development of Irish horse racing over nearly three centuries. Its protected plains, famous Classics and association with champion thoroughbreds have made it a cornerstone of the sport.

For anyone visiting today, the Curragh offers more than an afternoon of racing. It provides a connection to the landscape, people and traditions that helped shape Irish thoroughbred sport. Whether you are watching the Irish Derby, following a promising young horse in the Guineas or enjoying a summer meeting with friends, Curragh Races remain an enduring celebration of speed, stamina and the remarkable relationship between horses and the people who train and ride them.