1. sports
2. horse racing

12th & 13th September 2015
leopardstown & the curragh
irishchampionsweekend
www.irishchampionsweekend.ie
@IrishChampsWknd
Surpassing all expectations, the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend provided two great
days of racing, as good as one would get anywhere in Europe, boasting five hotly-contested
Group 1 races at Leopardstown and the Curragh.
With over 24,000 in attendance on the Saturday and Sunday, Irish Champions Weekend was
a sporting and social event combining history, spectacle, glamour, excitement and prestige.
It showcased Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horse racing and breeding. IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND 2015
prize-money @4 million
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2015
QIPCO Irish
Champion Stakes
Who will ever forget the
finish to the QIPCO Irish
Champion Stakes last
year as The Grey Gatsby
edged out local favourite
Australia to win for Kevin
Ryan and Ryan Moore?
The race remains one of
the highest-rated on the
international circuit with
a prize fund of €1.1 million
and it continues to attract
the best racehorses in
the world. Recent
winners of the one mile
and two furlong contest
include The Fugue,
Snow Fairy, Sea The Stars,
Dylan Thomas and
High Chaparral.
Palmerstown
House Estate Irish
St. Leger
One of the highlights
of the inaugural Irish
Champions Weekend at
the Curragh last year was
the electrifying success of
the Tom Dascombe-trained
Brown Panther in the
Palmerstown House Estate
Irish St. Leger. The race is
the final Irish Classic of the
year and is run over one
mile and six furlongs.
It was opened up to allow
older horses to run in
1983. This has led to a
number of repeat winners,
including Vintage Crop
who won the race before
taking the Melbourne
Cup in 1993. He won the
race again twelve months
later and the legendary
Vinnie Roe scored four
years in a row between
2001 and 2004.
Coolmore Matron
Stakes
There was a thrilling finish
to the Coolmore Matron
Stakes at Leopardstown
Ballydoyle stables, Aidan
O’Brien has sent out
nine winners of the race,
including last year’s victor
Gleneagles.
last year with Fiesolana
prevailing to give both
trainer Willie McCreery
and jockey Billy Lee a
first Group 1 success.
The race is confined to
fillies and mares and the
one mile contest has
been a Group 1 contest
since 2004.
The Goffs Vincent
O’Brien National
Stakes
Run over seven furlongs
at the Curragh, this
prestigious Group 1 is
Ireland’s leading race
for two-year-old
colts. The great
Vincent O’Brien
won the race on
a record 15
occasions
while the
current
incumbent
at the
famed
The Moyglare Stud
Stakes
The Curragh is home to
the Group 1 Moyglare Stud
Stakes which is the only
Group 1 event in Ireland
confined to two-year-old
fillies. British-based
trainers have a great
recent record in the
seven furlong contest
and have
won it for each
of the last three
years. The Roger
Varian-trained
Cursory Glance
was a winning
favourite last
year.
saturday
1 2 t h S ep t em b er
leopardstown racecourse
Leopardstown is Dublin’s internationally renowned racecourse and hosts the
opening day of Irish Champions Weekend, Ireland’s newest racing event, on
Saturday, September 12th. The thrilling finish to last year’s QIPCO Irish Champion
Stakes which saw The Grey Gatsby reverse Juddmonte International Stakes form
with Australia, will live long in the memory. The Coolmore Matron Stakes is the
second Group 1 event on the eight-race card and the day has so much more to
offer than just top-class racing.
race programme
Irish Champion Stakes Day
1st Race: 3.40pm
admission
(approx.)
Goffs Champions Sale
The Goffs Champions Sale is a boutique Horses-In-Training Sale
which will take place before racing begins and the Champions
Style & Elegance Competition will run throughout the day.
The Ballylinch Stud European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden
7f
€30,000
The John Deere Juvenile Turf Stakes
8f
€100,000
14f
€150,000
(Group 3)
The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund ‘Petingo’ Handicap
The KPMG Enterprise Stakes
(Group 3)
12f
€100,000
The Coolmore Matron Stakes
(Group 1)
8f €300,000
The Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile
(Group 2)
8f
€200,000
The QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes
(Group 1)
10f
€1,100,000
7f
€150,000
The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund ‘Sovereign Path’ Handicap
hospitality options
Leopardstown offers a wide range of high-quality hospitality options
on Irish Champions Weekend. Choose from casual dining options in the
Leopardstown Circle Lounge, private facilities on the top level of the
grandstand with panoramic views of the track, the restaurant package
overlooking the parade ring or the Pavilion package offering exclusive
trackside views of the finishing straight.
Leopardstown restaurant package
• Admission
• Racecards
• Table for the Day
• Three-course meal
just
€85
Tel: + 385 (0) 1 289 0500
Explore the full range of hospitality options at www.leopardstown.com
12th September
Adult Admission Ticket
Gate/On The Day €20
Online €18
Senior / Student
Gate/On The Day €15
Online N/A
Children U 16
Gate/On The Day Online FREE
N/A
weekend option
2 Day Adult Ticket
Gate/On The Day Online 2 Day Adult Ticket
with The Curragh
Thoroughbred Trail
Gate/On The Day Online Thoroughbred Trail
Gate/On The Day Online N/A
€30
N/A
€40
N/A
€15
sunday
1 3 t h S ep t em b er
the curragh racecourse
The historic Curragh Racecourse is home to all five Irish Classic races and is the
venue for the second day of Irish Champions Weekend on Sunday, September 13th.
There are three Group 1 races on the eight-race card and pride of place goes
to the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger, the final Irish Classic of the
season. Many of Europe’s leading two-year-olds will contest the Group 1 Goffs
Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
race programme
Irish St. Leger Day
admission
1st Race: 2.00pm (approx.)
Curragh Thoroughbred Trail
On the morning before racing, the Curragh Thoroughbred Trail is
designed to give the racing enthusiast a behind-the-scenes look at
Irish racing’s headquarters while the Champions Style & Elegance
Competition will run throughout the day.
The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund ‘Bold Lad’ Sprint Handicap
6f
€150,000
The Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes
(Group 2)
10f
€200,000
The Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes
(Group 2)
5f
€200,000
The Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1)
7f
€300,000
The Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Group 1)
7f
€300,000
The Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger (Group 1)
14f
€350,000
The Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes
6f
€250,000
The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund ‘Northfields’ Handicap
10f
€150,000
hospitality options
The Curragh presents excellent hospitality packages on Irish Champions
Weekend, overlooking the racing action or soaking up the vibrant
atmosphere. The Horseshoe Restaurant offers a dining package with
views of the finishing line, the cool and contemporary Champagne Bar
serves fabulous food overlooking the parade ring, while the Balcony
Restaurant, on the premier level of the grandstand gives guests the
opportunity to experience fine dining while enjoying the races.
Curragh horseshoe restaurant package
• Admission
• Racecards
• Table for the Day
• Three-course meal
just
€80
Tel: +353 (0) 45 441 205
Explore the full range of hospitality options at www.curraghhospitality.com
13th September
Adult Admission Ticket
Gate/On The Day €20
Online €18
Senior / Student
Gate/On The Day €10
Online N/A
Children U 16
Gate/On The Day Online FREE
N/A
weekend option
2 Day Adult Ticket
Gate/On The Day Online 2 Day Adult Ticket
with The Curragh
Thoroughbred Trail
Gate/On The Day Online Thoroughbred Trail
Gate/On The Day Online N/A
€30
N/A
€40
N/A
€15
race & stay packages
With just 35 miles separating Leopardstown and the Curragh, there is an extensive choice of
accommodation options with ‘Race and Stay’ packages starting at €280, including transfers,
admission and lunch on both days. Visit www.irishchampionsweekend.ie
Co. Kildare
Co. Kildare
Co. Kildare
Keadeen Hotel
Westgrove Hotel
Killashee House
Hotel & Spa
The 4 star luxury Keadeen hotel is
situated on the outskirts of Newbridge
in the heart of county Kildare - ‘the
thoroughbred county’. Opened in 1970,
The Keadeen is the oldest family-run
hotel in County Kildare and is located
just 30 minutes from Dublin.
The 4-star deluxe Westgrove Hotel
is under 40 minutes from Dublin City
Centre and 10 minutes from both Naas
and Maynooth.
Killashee House Hotel is set amidst
over 280 acres of historic and intriguing
gardens, walk ways and parkland, with
magnificent views over the Kildare
countryside. A hotel that is timeless,
natural and elegant where they
understand space, fun and food.
Stay 1, 2 or 3 nights at one of our
wonderful selected hotels and enjoy
the following all-inclusive package:
Accommodation
• Breakfast included each morning
• Luxury transport to and from the
racecourse on each day
•Racecourse admission on both days
•Reserved table on both days
• 3 course lunch on both days
• Complimentary racecard
Stay 1, 2 or 3 nights at one of our
wonderful selected hotels and enjoy
the following all-inclusive package:
Accommodation
• Breakfast included each morning
• Luxury transport to and from the racecourse on each day
•Racecourse admission on both days
•Reserved table on both days
• 3 course lunch on both days
• Complimentary racecard
Stay 1, 2 or 3 nights at one of our
wonderful selected hotels and enjoy
the following all-inclusive package:
Accommodation
• Breakfast included each morning
• Luxury transport to and from the
racecourse on each day
•Racecourse admission on both days
•Reserved table on both days
• 3 course lunch on both days
• Complimentary racecard
Curragh Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
Clane, Co. Kildare.
Kilcullen Road, Naas, Co. Kildare.
To book:
Tel: + 353 (0) 45 441 205
www.curraghhospitality.com
To book:
Tel: + 353 (0) 45 441 205
www.curraghhospitality.com
To book:
Tel: + 353 (0) 45 441 205
www.curraghhospitality.com
Co. Kildare
Co. dublin
Co. dublin
Palmerstown
House Estate
The Beacon Hotel
The Marker Hotel
Dublin
Discover a new experience in
luxury living. Stylish, stunning and
exceptionally original, Palmerstown
House Estate Hotel was designed to
soothe and inspire.
The 4 star luxury South Dublin hotel is
conveniently situated near Dundrum
and Leopardstown.
The Marker is Dublin’s newest, luxury
design hotel located on Grand Canal
Square in the heart of Dublin city’s
most vibrant new business and cultural
quarter.
Stay 1, 2 or 3 nights at one of our
wonderful selected hotels and enjoy
the following all-inclusive package:
Accommodation
• Breakfast included each morning
• Luxury transport to and from the
racecourse on each day
•Racecourse admission on both days
•Reserved table on both days
• 3 course lunch on both days
• Complimentary racecard
Stay 1, 2 or 3 nights at one of our
wonderful selected hotels and enjoy
the following all-inclusive package:
Accommodation
• Breakfast included each morning
• Luxury transport to and from the
racecourse on each day
•Racecourse admission on both days
•Reserved table on both days
• 3 course lunch on both days
• Complimentary racecard
Stay 1, 2 or 3 nights at one of our
wonderful selected hotels and enjoy
the following all-inclusive package:
Accommodation
• Breakfast included each morning
• Luxury transport to and from the
racecourse on each day
•Racecourse admission on both days
•Reserved table on both days
• 3 course lunch on both days
• Complimentary racecard
Johnstown, Co. Kildare.
Bracken Road, Sandyford, Co. Dublin.
Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2.
To book:
Tel: + 353 (0) 45 441 205
www.curraghhospitality.com
To book:
Tel: + 353 (0) 45 441 205
www.curraghhospitality.com
To book:
Tel: + 353 (0) 45 441 205
www.curraghhospitality.com
trail & sale
Goffs Champions
Sale
Saturday 12th September
Once again Goffs will host their
boutique Horses-In-Training Sale
in the Leopardstown parade
ring before racing. Last year it
was quite the attraction for the
novice and seasoned racegoers,
featuring eleven racehorses of
which nine were sold. Timiyan
was the most expensive lot
at an impressive €470,000
and the total spent at the sale
was over €2 million.
curragh Thoroughbred Trail
Sunday 13th September
To make this special weekend one to remember, join the Curragh
Thoroughbred Trail on the Curragh plains before racing on Sunday. The area is
steeped in racing history and this is a unique opportunity to visit many leading
racing yards and stud farms. Last year over 400 people took the opportunity
to visit some key local training establishments, including the racing yards
of Johnny Murtagh, Michael Halford, John Oxx and Paul Deegan. The world
famous Irish National Stud and Kildangan Stud threw open their gates and the
Racing Academy and Centre for Education was another popular stop.
The ultimate
Irish Racing
Experience
Irish Champions Weekend, the newest event in Irish racing, sits neatly between two of the
most cherished traditional meetings in the calendar. Laytown’s world-famous beach races
are an iconic end-of-summer outing for racing fans from near and far. In Ireland’s south west,
in the beautiful county of Kerry, Listowel’s seven-day Harvest Festival promises
‘Serious Racing – Serious Fun’ as it has done for generations. Laytown, Leopardstown, the
Curragh and Listowel – the Untimate Irish racing experience.
laytown
listowel
Thursday 10th September
13th – 19th September
Racing on the beach at Laytown, just 22 miles from
Dublin Airport, takes place just once a year. The
occasion draws crowds from all over the world and
is one of Irish racing’s iconic experiences.
The Harvest Festival at
Listowel remains one of
the most important weeks
in the racing calendar.
Laytown races occupies a unique position in the Irish
racing calendar as it is the only racing event run on a
beach under the Rules of Racing. As the tide recedes
in the morning of race day, the racecourse is quickly
set up allowing for six races of between six furlongs
and one mile. The majority of racegoers watch the
action from an elevated field above the strand which
is set up for the day with temporary marquees which
act as the weigh-room, the jockeys’ room, bars and
restaurants. Access to the beach is restricted while
racing is underway.
The seven-day meeting
takes place each September
and like all major Irish racing festivals, it draws
huge crowds from far and wide. The Kerry National
Handicap Chase is the biggest race of the week
and is run on the Wednesday. Friday is Ladies Day
and it attracts the largest attendance, often in
excess of 26,000. The Listowel Supporters Club
Lartigue Handicap Hurdle is another highlight of
the week and the Listed Listowel Stakes is the feature
Flat race at the Festival.
For more information see www.laytownstrandraces.ie
or call +353 (0)41 9842111
For more information see listowelraces.ie
or call +353 (0) 68 21144
Travel guide
Traveling to Ireland from Great Britain is convenient with an
increasing number of air and ferry routes to the island now
available. The island of Ireland has five main ferry ports –
Belfast, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Larne and Rosslare, and seven
main airports - Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Knock, Shannon
and Waterford. If traveling from Great Britain to Ireland by
ferry, you can bring your car or go as a foot passenger.
Troon
Cairnryan
Visit ireland.com for more information.
Larne
Knock Airport
Belfast Airport
Belfast
Isle of man
Travelling to ireland by sea
Dublin
Dublin Airport
DEPART ARRIVE CARRIER DURATION
Cairnryan Larne Belfast P&O Ferries Stena Line 1hr
2hrs 15mins
Dun Laoghaire
Rosslare Stena Line 2hrs
Rosslare
Cork
Cork Airport
Holyhead Dublin Irish Ferries Irish Ferries Stena Line 3hrs 15mins
1hr 49mins
3hrs 15mins
Dun Laoghaire Stena Line
2hrs
Liverpool Dublin P&O Ferries 7hrs 30mins
Pembroke Rosslare Irish Ferries 3hrs 45mins
Liverpool
Kerry Airport
Waterford Airport
Fishguard Holyhead
Shannon Airport
Fishguard
Pembroke
France: Cherbourg, Roscoff
FERRY, COACH & Train OPERATOR contacts
airline contacts
operatortelephonewebsite
operatortelephonewebsite
Ferry
Irish Ferries P&O Ferries Stena Line +44 871 730 0400 +44 871 702 3477 +44 844 770 7070 irishferries.com
poferries.com
stenaline.co.uk
bus
Eurolines Bus Éireann +44 871 781 8181 +353 (0) 1 836 6111
eurolines.co.uk
www.buseireann.ie
train
Irish Rail +353 (0) 1 836 6222
www.irishrail.ie
Aer Lingus +44 871 718 5000 British Airways +44 844 493 0787 CityJet +44 871 405 2020 Citywing +44 871 200 0440 easyJet +44 843 104 5000 Finnair +358 600 140 140 Flybe +44 371 700 2000 Linksair +44 844 800 2411 Loganair +44 371 700 2000 Ryanair +44 871 246 0000 aerlingus.com
britishairways.com
cityjet.com
citywing.com
easyjet.com
finnair.com
flybe.com
linksair.co.uk
loganair.co.uk
ryanair.com
M50 linking Dublin Airport, The Curragh (Exit 9)
& Leopardstown (Exit 15)
M7 to The Curragh
n11 to Leopardstown
Luas Green Line to Leopardstown from
Stephen’s Green, Dublin
Train to The Curragh from Heuston Station,
Dublin
Course to Course
Leopardstown is 35 miles from the Curragh
by car and takes approx 45 minutes.
County
Dublin
laytown
ireland
Dublin Airport
County
Dublin
County
kildare
leopardstown
Curragh
M50
Dublin City
County
kildare
n11
LUAS
M7
Naas
Newbridge
Train
Leopardstown
Racecourse
Curragh
Racecourse
Listowel
getting to: leopardstown Racecourse
getting to: the Curragh Racecourse
By Car
Via the M50 — South Bound
Located just six miles south of Dublin City Centre, Leopardstown
is very accessible by car, easily accessed from the M50 - Exit 15.
Parking is free so early arrival is advised on race days to ensure
you get a spot. For more information visit www.leopardstown.com
By Car
From Dublin take Exit 9 off the M50 onto the N7 southbound.
Take Exit 12 off the M7. When you arrive, you’ll find plenty
of free car parking. Visit the AA Roadwatch website for more
travel information.
From City Centre
Take the N11 (Stillorgan Dual Carriageway) heading towards
the Southeast, past Stillorgan (right). At traffic lights turn right
onto Leopardstown Road R113 signposted Leopardstown.
Continue straight and Leopardstown’s entrance is on the left
just before the traffic lights in front of the Roundabout.
By Bus
Dublin Coach provides a service to the Curragh races from
Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre via the Red Cow Luas
with stops in Naas and Newbridge. Race Day service is also
available from Limerick via Portlaoise.
See Dublin Coach & Curragh Racecourse Schedule at
www.dublincoach.ie.
Luas from City Centre
The LUAS offers a regular service from St. Stephen’s Green to
Sandyford that takes about 20 minutes. The racecourse is only
a short walk from the Sandyford station and we also provide a
complimentary shuttle bus service on race days.
By Rail
Mainline trains from Heuston Station (Dublin), Waterford,
Cork, Limerick and Galway to Kildare Town with
complimentary Shuttle Bus to the racecourse.
Call Iarnród Éireann at: +353 (0) 1 836 6222.
Local Attractions & Events
Shopping
Newbridge Silverware &
Museum of Style Icons
Newbridge Silverware, renowned for style and quality,
encompasses an extensive
range of jewellery and giftware
as well as a museum of
artefacts and memorabilia on
stars of the silver screen and
modern day icons.
Newbridge, Co. Kildare
Tel: +353 (0) 45 431 301
Irish Greyhound Derby Final
The Irish Greyhound Derby
is the highlight of the Irish
greyhound racing calendar.
The very best greyhounds
from across Ireland and
the UK compete for
a chance to win this
most prestigious
event.
Date: 19 September
2015
Shelbourne Park,
Dublin
Tel: 1890 269969
Irish National Stud and
Japanese Gardens
The Irish National Stud
belongs to the people of
Ireland but prides itself on
being enjoyed and
appreciated by visitors
from all parts of the globe.
Nowhere better symbolises
all that is great about County
Kildare, the beating heart
of Ireland’s thoroughbred
industry, than the stud,
a unique attraction of
outstanding natural beauty
that is home to some of the
most magnificent horses and
sumptuous gardens to be
found anywhere in the world.
Tully, Co. Kildare
Tel: +353 (0) 45 521 617
Leopardstown Racecourse
Foxrock, Dublin 18, Ireland.
T: +353 (0) 1 289 0500 E: [email protected]
www.leopardstown.com
LeopardstownRacecourse
@leopardstownrc
Powerscourt House
& Gardens
Powerscourt is one of the
world’s greatest gardens,
featuring Ireland’s highest
waterfall, championship
golf courses & superb
shopping. Nestled in the
foothills of the Wicklow
Mountains you will find the
perfect natural escape at
Powerscourt House and
Gardens, from the Palladian
Mansion to the formal
gardens, elegant rooms,
meticulous service and first
class cuisine, Powerscourt
is unforgettable.
Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Web: www.powerscourt.com
horse racing ireland
The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
T: +353 (0) 45 455 455 E: [email protected]
www.goracing.ie
goracing
@GoRacing
Kildare Village Outlet
Shopping close to
Kildare Town, Whitewater
Shopping Centre in
Newbridge and Dundrum
Town Centre, Dublin
16 are the ultimate
destinations for shoppers
with a great selection of
shops to choose from.
Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival
Ireland’s leading
multidisciplinary arts festival
featuring performance,
theatre, music, art, comedy,
dance, gaming and circus
from Irish and international
artists.
Date: 7-20 September 2015
Dublin City
Tel: +353 (0) 1 670 6106
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
T: +353 (0) 45 441 205 E: [email protected]
www.curragh.ie
TheCurraghRacecourse
@curraghrace