Leopardstown Horse Races

The course completed in 1888 was modelled on Sandown Park racecourse in England and it has now gone on to become one of the leading horse racing venues in Ireland.

Leopardstown is home to many important races with the Irish Champion Stakes arguably been the most important as it is part of the World Series of Racing and attracts the very best horses and jockeys from around the world.

There are many notable races run over the jumps and hurdles course during the winter at Leopardstown with the Boxing Day meeting amongst the most popular days of racing in Ireland.

The Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes, the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Matron Stakes are among the most important races run through the summer on the Flat race track at Leopardstown.

100% Legal Live Streams

All of the live horse racing streams featured on GGTV are 100% legal and 100% safe. Many websites feature illegal streams that simply steal the content direct from the likes of At The Races and Racing UK and whilst there may be a small cost to watch the races via legal streams (but let’s face it you are likely to be betting on the action anyway!) you can be sure that there are no computer viruses and/or other nasty’s infecting your computer/phone/tablet when watching.

So How is GGTV Different?

The streams that we feature here on GGTV are offered by bookmakers who have paid for the rights to bring you live horse racing action, so you can watch races that you have bet on.

What Can You Watch?

If you are a fan of Irish racing, the chances are that you will want to watch some of the racing from the course as it is simply one of the leading race courses in Ireland.

Many of the horse that feature at the course will take part in big races across the Irish Sea in Great Britain and many are household names across the globe.

The great news for all fans wanting to watch live racing from Leopardstown racecourse is that it is has never been simpler.

All of the fantastic Leopardstown live stream services feature on this page allow you to watch the best of the racing from the course including all of the biggest aces.

If you are a horse racing fan you will probably have heard of the Leopardstown racecourse as it is one of the famous and historic racecourses in Ireland and it has been an arena where great moments have happened.

Unfortunately for fans across Britain and even for those in Ireland, it can be difficult to watch the action live without been at the course in person but the great news for fans is that you can now watch each and every race live via our Leopardstown live stream partners.

Unfortunately there is a wagering requirement to be able to watch the action on the bookies featured on this page but with that starting at just a few pence, and with the vast majority of racing fans who are looking to watch live racing from Leopardstown also more than likely to be wanting to be to the action live, you may as well use a good quality bookie who allows you to watch the races you have bet on.

The course is home to many great races as well as the Leopardstown Hall of Fame which just highlights the quality of jockeys, horses, trainer and owners it can attract with those inducted including Vincent O’Brien, Tom Dreaper, Pat Taaffe, Pat Eddery, Arkle, Dawn Run, Nijinsky and Levmoss.

As a course that offers flat racing as well as chase and hurdle National hunt racing, there is great action to watch all year around at the course including:

January: The Killiney Novice Chase, the Ladbrokes Chase, the Irish Champion Hurdle, the Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle, the Arkle Novice Chase and the Irish Gold Cup.

February: The Irish Gold Cup, the Dr P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase, the Channelle Pharma Novice Hurdle and the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.

March: Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes and the Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes.

May: The Amethyst Stakes, the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial.

June: The Saval Beg Stakes, the Ballycorus Stakes and the Ballyogan Stakes.

July: the Silver Flash Stakes, the Meld Stakes and the Tyros Stakes
August: The Ballyroad Stakes and the Desmond Stakes.

September: The Irish Champion Stakes, the Golden Fleece Stakes, the Matron Stakes (Ireland) and the Kilternan Stakes.

October: The Killavullan Stakes

November: The Eyrefield Stakes

December: The Racing Post Novice Chase, the Knights Frank Juvenile Hurdle, the Christmas Hurdle, the Savills Chase, the December Festival Hurdle, the Leopardstown E.B.F Mares Hurdle and the Fort Leney Novice Chase.

The Irish Champions Stakes is the biggest and most important race held at the course and it also acts as one of the races of the World Series of Racing. The race attracts the very horses not only from Ireland but from across Europe and attracts the attention of the racing public.

The good new is that it does not matter if it is one of the big races above or a small race with just some local talent on show, if it takes place at Leopardstown, you can watch in live via our Leopardstown races live stream partners.

1888: The foundation of Leopardstown Racecourse

The history of Leopardstown Racecourse began in 1888, when the venue was completed in Foxrock, south of Dublin. Its creation is closely associated with Captain George Quin, who established the Leopardstown Race Company and developed the course as a major racing venue for the Irish capital.

Quin took inspiration from Sandown Park Racecourse in England, using it as a model for Leopardstown’s design. The project transformed land previously used for grazing into a purpose-built racing facility with a planned track and spectator facilities. The development took approximately six months, reflecting the ambition behind the project and the growing interest in organised horse racing in Ireland.

The new course provided Dublin with a dedicated venue capable of hosting both flat racing and National Hunt racing. This dual-purpose identity became one of Leopardstown’s defining characteristics, allowing it to serve different sections of the racing community throughout the year.

Horse racing was already well established in Ireland by the late nineteenth century, supported by the country’s strong traditions of horse breeding, hunting and equestrian sport. Leopardstown’s location near Dublin gave it access to a substantial urban audience while remaining close to the rural landscapes associated with Irish thoroughbred racing.

The early years and royal recognition

Leopardstown quickly established itself as an important racing venue. Historical accounts describe substantial crowds attending meetings in its early years, demonstrating the public appetite for organised racing and the appeal of the new facility.

A particularly notable event occurred in 1907, when King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra visited Leopardstown. The royal visit was a significant occasion for the racecourse and reflected the prominence of horse racing within the sporting and social life of the period.

During the early twentieth century, Leopardstown continued to host both flat and jump racing. These disciplines offered different forms of competition: flat races tested speed and stamina without obstacles, while National Hunt events required horses to negotiate hurdles or fences. Hosting both allowed Leopardstown to maintain a broad programme and attract a diverse audience.

The course developed alongside wider changes in racing, including more formal race regulations, improvements in facilities and the growing professionalisation of training and jockeying. Its proximity to Dublin helped maintain its popularity as a venue for major meetings.

Wartime disruption and an unusual wartime incident

Like other sporting venues across Europe, Leopardstown existed through periods of significant international upheaval during the twentieth century. The Second World War brought considerable disruption to travel, industry and everyday life, affecting the wider environment in which Irish racing operated.

One unusual episode associated with Leopardstown occurred in 1941, when Royal Air Force pilot Hugh Verity made a forced landing on the racecourse. Verity later became known for his role in secret operations involving the movement of agents into and out of occupied France. The incident is a reminder that a sporting venue can sometimes become the setting for events far removed from its normal purpose.

Although horse racing remained the racecourse’s principal identity, the surrounding decades brought changes in ownership, organisation and facilities. These developments laid the groundwork for Leopardstown’s expansion into one of Ireland’s leading modern racing venues.

1960s: A new era of racecourse management

By the 1960s, Leopardstown was an established part of the Irish racing calendar, but its future development increasingly depended on investment and coordinated management. The Racing Board, the predecessor of modern Horse Racing Ireland, acquired the venue during this period. Historical sources differ on the precise acquisition year, with references to 1967 and 1969, but the change marked a significant step in the development of centralised racecourse management in Ireland.

Under this new ownership structure, Leopardstown underwent successive improvements to its facilities and racing operation. The aim was to strengthen the venue’s standing within Irish and international racing while providing better facilities for spectators, owners, trainers and jockeys.

The racecourse’s dual-purpose programme remained central to its identity. Its flat racing fixtures attracted high-class thoroughbreds, while its jump racing meetings developed into major events on the winter calendar. Over time, Leopardstown became particularly associated with the leading races of the Irish National Hunt season.

The rise of the Irish Champion Stakes

One of the most important developments in Leopardstown’s flat racing history was the establishment of the Irish Champion Stakes. The race became a leading international contest over approximately one mile and two furlongs, attracting outstanding middle-distance horses and helping strengthen Leopardstown’s global profile.

The race has featured many leading names in European flat racing and is an important fixture in the autumn championship calendar. Its position in September makes it a major target for horses competing at the highest level, with the result often influencing assessments of the leading middle-distance performers of the season.

Over time, the Irish Champion Stakes became the centrepiece of the Leopardstown meeting now associated with the Irish Champions Festival. The festival brings together leading flat races across Leopardstown and the Curragh, providing a major showcase for Irish racing and attracting international interest.

The racecourse has also staged other important flat races, including the Matron Stakes, a Group 1 contest for fillies and mares. Together, these events demonstrate the venue’s importance beyond jump racing and reinforce its reputation as a leading dual-purpose racecourse.

The development of major National Hunt races

Leopardstown’s jump racing programme grew alongside its flat racing success. The Irish Champion Hurdle and the Irish Gold Cup became major features of the winter calendar, attracting top-class horses and helping establish the course as a destination for championship National Hunt racing.

The Christmas Festival, traditionally held from 26 to 29 December, developed into one of the most important meetings of the Irish jump racing season. Its programme includes prestigious contests such as the Savills Chase and the Matheson Hurdle, with other Grade 1 races adding depth to the four-day meeting.

The Savills Chase, previously known under other sponsorship names, is a major staying steeplechase that attracts leading horses over approximately three miles. The Matheson Hurdle brings together high-class hurdlers and has featured many of the most accomplished performers in the discipline.

These races have helped create lasting rivalries between leading horses, trainers and jockeys. They also provide important opportunities for assessing form before the major spring festivals, making Leopardstown a key part of the National Hunt season.

2014: The arrival of Irish Champions Festival

A major development in Leopardstown’s modern history came in 2014, when the course became the host of the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend, subsequently known as the Irish Champions Festival. The Curragh hosts the festival’s second day, creating a two-day celebration of elite Irish flat racing.

The festival brought together leading races and expanded the opportunity to showcase Irish racing to international audiences. Leopardstown’s Irish Champion Stakes became the centrepiece of the opening day, supported by other high-quality races and a programme of hospitality and entertainment.

The festival also highlighted Leopardstown’s ability to combine top-level sport with a broader social occasion. Fashion competitions, food and entertainment helped attract visitors who might not otherwise attend a traditional race meeting.

2018: The launch of the Dublin Racing Festival

In 2018, Leopardstown introduced the Dublin Racing Festival, creating a two-day meeting that brought several major National Hunt races together in one weekend. The festival was designed to concentrate top-class jump racing at a key point in the winter season and strengthen the pathway towards the Cheltenham Festival.

The meeting features leading races over hurdles and fences, including the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Irish Gold Cup. It also provides opportunities for novice horses and emerging talent to compete on a major stage.

The Dublin Racing Festival quickly became one of the most important events in the Irish jump racing calendar. Its compact format gives spectators access to a series of championship contests over two days, while trainers can use the results to assess their horses ahead of the spring season.

Together with the Christmas Festival and Irish Champions Festival, the Dublin Racing Festival forms one of the three major pillars of Leopardstown’s modern annual programme.

Leopardstown Racecourse today

Today, Leopardstown Racecourse remains one of Ireland’s leading sporting venues. It hosts a year-round programme of flat and National Hunt racing, with major festivals attracting national and international attention. Its location in Foxrock, approximately six miles south of Dublin city centre, makes it accessible to local racegoers and visitors staying in the capital.

The venue has developed modern grandstand facilities, hospitality areas, restaurants, bars and private suites to meet the expectations of contemporary visitors. These facilities allow Leopardstown to host everything from major racing festivals to corporate hospitality and special social occasions.

Its race programme continues to balance elite competition with opportunities for developing horses. The leading Group 1 flat races showcase international thoroughbred talent, while Grade 1 National Hunt contests bring together many of the best jumpers in Ireland and Britain.

Leopardstown’s story is one of continuous development, from Captain George Quin’s original vision in 1888 to its present position as a major dual-purpose racecourse. Royal visits, wartime events, famous horses, championship races and the creation of modern festivals have all contributed to its identity.

For today’s visitors, that heritage is part of the appeal of Leopardstown Races. Whether attending the Irish Champion Stakes in September, the Dublin Racing Festival in winter or the Christmas Festival between 26 and 29 December, spectators experience a venue that connects more than a century of sporting tradition with the excitement of modern horse racing.