Curragh

The Curragh is also the largest horse training centre in Ireland and boasts extensive facilities on it's grounds. The surrounding area is home to thousands of racehorses in training yards and stud farms.

Quick Facts About The Curragh 

It is mentioned in the earliest Irish manuscripts as a meeting place of the Celtic Kings where much sporting activity, including horseracing, took place. The first official racing to take place at the Curragh was in 1741. In the 1760's a Jockeys' Club was set up in a coffee house in Kildare town which evolved into the present day regulatory body, The Turf Club in 1790.  

The Curragh is also the largest horse training centre in Ireland and boasts extensive facilities on it's grounds. The surrounding area is home to thousands of racehorses in training yards and stud farms. The biggest attendance at the Curragh was 31,136 at the Irish Derby in 2003.  

The Curragh Revealed

 For those who enjoy seeing the best racehorses and horsemen in the world doing what they do best on a glorious stage then a visit to the Curragh is a must. This racecourse, steeped in tradition, is where the Five Classic races are held: The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby; The Darley Irish Oaks; The Eithad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas; The Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas and The Irish Field St Leger in addition to many more great races

All season long, from the first meeting in March to the conclusion of the flat racing season in October the Curragh holds centre stage in Irish racing. All the best flat horses run there each year following the pantheon of former great horses that have tread the same famous turf. The jewel in this racing crown is the Irish Derby which is usually run on the last Sunday in June. 

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby = Irish Party

Make no mistake this is the biggest party of the year at an Irish racecourse and is not to be missed, where the beautiful people dress-up, turn-out and party-on all day. The occasion is impervious to weather conditions and there is always that essential feel-good factor which cannot be induced artificially at an occasion - it's either there or it's not and Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day has got it in abundance.

 "And straight I will repair To the Curragh of Kildare For it's there I'll find tidings of my dear"

Setting the scene is the melodic precursor to the race itself and the crowd sings along to the song of Kildare as the runners make their way down to the starting stalls. There is a buzz of expectancy like no other race in the calendar. This is wildly exciting and not just because it's a great spectacle but also because of the meaning and resonance of the race.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby often decides which is the best 3-year-old colt in Europe as it performs the role of a junction of sorts, attracting horses that ran in the big races earlier in the year and getting them to face each other in a dramatic showdown. It is truly a major world event in horseracing. It features some of the finest racehorses in the world owned, trained and ridden by masters of their professions, competing for a prize of 1.3 Million Euro.

Parade Of Champions

The crowd at the Curragh appreciates nothing better than a champion but even more so when it is won by an Irish horse ridden by an Irish jockey and trained by an Irish trainer. Irish trainers Dermot Weld, John Oxx, Aidan O'Brien and Jim Bolger have provided staunch defence of the prize in recent years (Irish trainers won it from 2000-2004). Home-trained winners always add an extra dimension to the post-race celebrations. Witness Grey Swallow's battling win in 2004 against English Derby winner North Light that whipped the Curragh crowd into a frenzy as did Alamshar's titanic winning battle up the straight with French champion Dalakhani a year earlier in front of a record crowd.

However, there doesn't have to be a close finish to make for an exciting race. Sometimes it is just as thrilling to witness the crowning of a champion when a magnificent horse at his best crushes his rivals in an imperious display. The Aidan O'Brien-trained champions Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) followed up their Epsom Derby triumphs with effortless romps at the Curragh. In 2000 the John Oxx-trained Sinndar demolished his field by 9 lengths and picked up a one-off $1 Million Millennium Bonus for having also won the English Derby. Back in 1992 St Jovite, trained by Jim Bolger, destroyed the opposition by 12 lengths with a truly awesome display of raw, unstoppable power that left everyone gasping at a memorably dry, sun-baked Curragh.

Shergar: Poetry In Motion

Probably the best, and certainly the most famous winner of recent times was the outstanding but ill-fated Shergar.

Trained in England by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by the Aga Khan he never came out of third gear in cruising to victory under Lester Piggott in 1981.

With his big white face and neat, handsome frame carrying the master jockey it made for a seamless bio-mechanical marriage of perfection.

Truly a sight to behold.

And that image encapsulates what the Irish Derby is all about - aesthetics: that of the crowd itself and their appreciative response to the expression of it

Course Characteristics

The Curragh is a right-handed, undulating, horseshoe-shaped course two miles (3200M) in length with an adjoining chute feeding into the home straight which stages races of up to one mile.

How To Get There

By Road:
50 km south-west of Dublin City on the main Dublin-Cork/Limerick road. Take the N7 southbound and exit at junction 12.

By Rail:
A regular service from Dublin Heuston, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway to Kildare Town with a free shuttle bus to the racecourse. Admission concession available with valid train ticket. For more see www.irishrail.ie/home

By Bus:
A special bus leaves Busaras (Dublin Central Bus Station) for the Curragh on race days and leaves 30 minutes after the last race. Admission concession available with valid bus ticket. For more see www.buseireann.ie/

By Air:
25 miles from Dublin Airport www.dublinairport.com and 16 miles from Baldonnell. There is also a helipad behind the main Grandstand.

If travelling from overseas please visit  http://www.discoverireland.com/au/ireland-travel-offers/special-offers/ to help plan your trip.

Admission

 

General Admission

Regular Racedays
	Adult Admission	€15
	Senior Citizen	€8
	Under 25's	€8
	Children Under 16	Free
	Day Member (Premier)	€30
	Reserved Premier Seat	€40

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Weekend

Derby Friday
	Adult Admission	€20
	Senior Citizen	€10
	Under 25's	€10
	Children Under 16	Free
	Day Member (Premier)	€30
	Reserved Premier Seat	€40
	Flexi 3-day ticket (book before 10th June)	€50

 

Derby Saturday
	Adult Admission	€15
	Senior Citizen	€8
	Under 25's	€8
	Children Under 16	Free
	Day Member (Premier)	€30
	Reserved Premier Seat	€40
	Flexi 3-day ticket (book before 10th June)	€50

 

Derby Day
	Adult Admission	€40
	Senior Citizen	€25
	Under 25's	€25
	Children Under 16	€5
	Day Member (Premier) incl. admission	€80
	Reserved Premier Seat incl. admission	€100
	Minstrel Seat incl. admission	€65
	Flexi 3-day ticket (book before 10th June)	€50

Packages

Regular Racedays
	Punters Package	€20
	Admission Racecard €5 Food/Beverage Voucher €2 Tote Voucher
	Joli Bolli	€25
	Admission Racecard Glass of Bubbly
	Family Package	€25
	2 Adults Up to 3 Children under 16 2 Racecards
Classic Racedays
	Punters Package	€25
	Admission Racecard €5 Food/Beverage Voucher €2 Tote Voucher
	Joli Bolli	€25
	Admission Racecard Glass of Bubbly
	Family Package	€35
	2 Adults Up to 3 Children under 16 2 Racecards

Membership

Curragh Racecourse
	Club Membership	€175
	Senior Citizen	€95
	Under 25's	€95
	Premier with reserved rear seat	€320
	Premier with reserved front seat	€395

 

Go Racing in Kildare
	Adult Membership	€350
	Senior Citizen	€250
	Under 25's	€250

Seniors and Under 25s
50% reduction on all race days (admission only) except Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day where the admission is €25. No concession available on 4th June.

Children under 16
Children under 16 accompanied by an adult FREE, excluding Irish Derby Day and 4th June €5

  Click here for the 2011 Curragh Racecourse Price Plan 

Hospitality and Dining

Bollinger Champagne Bar & Bistro –
located beside the parade ring, the Champagne Bar serves an excellent selection of fine cuisine and the opportunity to enjoy a bottle of your favourite bubbly or wine. 

Classics Bistro Restaurant –
an informal restaurant open from 12 noon every raceday, serving a wide variety of hot meals and snacks.

Bars –
there are a number of lively bars located throughout the racecourse facility.

Horseshoe Restaurant -
situated on the first floor of the main grandstand overlooking the bookies arena, the Horseshoe Restaurant has excellent views of the finishing post along with the advantage of a central location.  The restaurant boasts its own private Tote betting facility and plasma screen, along with a full wine list & cash bar facility. All-inclusive packages are available from €45 per person which includes a reserved table for the day, admission ticket, lunch and racecard.

Private Suites –
the ultimate in style and luxury, a day's hospitality at the Curragh Racecourse is the perfect way to enjoy a day with friends and family, clients or colleagues.  Soak up the atmosphere in one of a variety of glass fronted private suites whilst enjoying a spectacular view of the racing action.  Choose from one of our all-inclusive packages which start from as little as €55 per person or let us tailor make a package for you.

Curragh Rooms -
recently added to the Curragh hospitality portfolio, the Curragh Rooms arelocated above the Weigh Room overlooking the parade ring and is unique in providing the very best on track facilities at the Curragh in a prime location with superb catering.  This facility can cater for groups of 50 upwards.

Marquees –
for large groups of over 150 people, we can provide purpose built marquees which are situated in a prime location adjacent to the finishing line.  All marquee packages are tailor-made to suit the client’s requirements.

Other Facilities

At the west-end of the stand there is an outdoor playground for children, together with picnic area. There is a gift shop in the Tote Hall carrying a range of Curragh merchandise. For disabled customers there is a special viewing area in the grandstand. All areas of the course are wheelchair accesible. There is an on-course Ladbrokes betting shop. There is also a big screen at all fixtures for enhanced viewing quality.

Useful Information

Car Parking
Free car parking is available, while a Members Car Park is available for Curragh Members.

Food and Beverage
A variety of lively bars and restaurant are located through the racecourse enclosure including:

The Bollinger Champagne Bar and Bistro

Tote Sports Bar

Curragh View Bars

The Horseshoe Restaurant

Classic Bistro Restaurant

Dress Code
Although there is no strict dress code, we would appreciate appropriate attire is worn at all times. Smart casual attire is requested for anyone with access to the Premier Level of the Grandstand.

Family Friendly
We welcome families to the racecourse and do all we can to make the day as special as possible for them. 

Under 16s FREE accompanied by an adult (excludes Irish Derby Day)

Exciting Children's Playground sponsored by Leisureplex

Picnic Area

Curragh Shops
Located in the main Tote Hall includes quality Curragh Gift Shop and Spar Newsagents. Mad Hatters beside the Parade Ring with a range of quality hats and accessories.

Betting Shop
A Ladbrokes Betting Shop is located in the Betting Hall

Owners and Trainers
Owners and Trainers with runners on a race day enjoy the following privileges:

Access to Balcony Bar located on Premier Level with complimentary tea or coffee voucher

All winning owners receive a memento either from the race sponsor or from the racecourse.

Membership
There are two types of Curragh Racecourse Membership available to purchase - Club Membership and Premier Membership.

Après Racing

The Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare are a must see. In the surrounding area of the Curragh there are many opportunities for playing golf, fishing and horse riding.

Local Hotels
The Keadeen Hotel	www.keadeenhotel.kildare.ie	(045) 431666
The Village at Lyons	www.villageatlyons.com	(01) 6303500
Osprey Hotel and Spa, Naas	www.osprey.ie	(045) 881111
Rathsallagh Country House Hotel	www.rathsallagh.com	(045) 403112
Killashee House Hotel	www.killasheehouse.com	(045) 879277
Maudlins House Hotel	www.maudlinshousehotel.com	(045) 896999
Westgrove Hotel & Conference Centre	www.westgrovehotel.com	(045) 989900
The K Club	www.kclub.com	(01) 6017 200
Clanard Court Hotel	www.clanardcourt.ie	(059) 8640666

 

Local Restaurants
Donatello's, Newbridge
Jardin Royale, Newbridge
Weeping Thaiger, Newbridge and Nass
Silken Thomas, Kildare
La Tavola D’oro, Newbridge
Los Cristianos, Kildare
Hangman’s Arch, Milltown
The Village at Lyons, Celbridge
Jaipore, Newbridge
Maharajah, Newbridge

 

Local Pubs
The Arch Bar, Newbridge
The Liffey Arms, Newbridge
The Hideout, Kilcullen
Swifts, Newbridge
Coffeys, Newbridge
Judge Roy Beans, Newbridge