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Dublin horse racing
The sport of kings can be the sport of stag weekend kings with the right race course and the right fixture. Irish horse racing boasts some of the best meetings throughout the year and Dublin is blessed with six tremendous courses all within 1.5 hour drive of Dublin , with the Curragh being the jewel in the Emerald horse racing crown.
CurraghThe Curragh is the central focus of all things racing in Ireland . The County Kildare circuit hosts some of the worlds most famous race meetings including the Irish Guineas, the Irish Derby, the Irish Oaks, and of course the St Leger. Some of the world’s best jockeys and thoroughbreds compete at the Curragh over the 20 race day calendar (see Curragh race dates). Track information: The Curragh is a right handed horseshoe shaped course which stretches over 2 miles with a 3 furlong up hill straight run in. Distance from Dublin: 35 minutes by car (along the N7 and M7) Nass Nass is probably only second to the Curragh in terms of Irish racing tradition. Located in the heart of the thoroughbred country of Kildare, this course really offers up some fantastic meetings for all racing enthusiasts. The course has recently undergone refurbishment making it one of the most up to date racing venues in Ireland . Nass enjoys a 15 race calendar which normally runs from March to October (see Nass race dates). Distance from Dublin: 35 minutes by car (along the N7) PunchestownPunchestown is home to the Irish National Hunt Festival and is considered the highlight of the Irish sporting and social calendar. Considered the home of the Irish jump racing this course stages some of the finest jump racing, not just in Ireland but in the world because, simply put, it is the place where the champions of jump racing meet. Punchestown has all the facilities you would expect to find in a modern racing venue. The recently built grand stand provides all spectators with stunning 360 degree view of the track (see Punchestown race dates). Track information: The present Punchestown race course is right-handed and undulating with flat, hurdle, steeplechase and bank courses. Hurdle course is one mile-six furlongs. The steeplechase course is two miles. Distance from Dublin: 35 minutes by car (along the N7) FairyhouseFairyhouse is situated in the county of Meath and hosts both Nation Hunt (jump) and flat meeting throughout the year, with the crowning glory coming on Easter Monday when the celebrations reach fever pitch for the Irish Grand National. The Panoramic restaurant in the Gold Label stand offers fantastic views of both the racecourse and the winner’s enclosure (see Fairyhouse race dates). Track information: The Fairyhouse course itself is right-handed, relatively flat and is one mile and six furlongs in length. Distance from Dublin: 30 minutes by car (along the N4 and N3) LeopardstownLeopardstown is situated in Foxrock and hosts some of the biggest races in the calendar, both jump racing in the winter and flat racing for the rest of the year. The Super 7 series is possible the pick of the years racing calendar which takes place over the Christmas period although the Irish Champions stakes in September often draw in a crowd of 20,000 with a staggering 1 million Euros in price money (see Leopardstown race dates). Track information: The course is a left-handed oval of one mile and six furlongs with an uphill finishing straight. Distance from Dublin: 25 minutes by car (along the N81 and M50) NavanNavan is one of the fastest improving courses in Ireland and is now attracting some of the best horses and jockeys in the land. The course is best known for its jump racing but does offer some flat racing meetings. The course and facilities have received substantial investment in recent years ensuring race goers are entertained in a manor of ways, from the introduction of an 18-hole golf course to the development of four hospitality suites (see Navan race dates) Track information: The course is left-handed, one mile and two furlongs in length and undulating with a stiff uphill climb to the winning post. Distance from Dublin: 50 minutes by car (along the N3) |
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