Ireland's thriving horse racing industry is home to some of the world's most prestigious races and most successful horses, trainers and jockeys.
There are twenty-six unique racecourses in Ireland, spread throughout the country. Races
are primarily run on turf, with one floodlit all-weather at Dundalk racecourse.
The
turf Flat season runs from March until November and there is a Flat winter
championship staged at Dundalk. National Hunt racing, more commonly known as
Jump racing, takes place all year round but its main season runs from November
to April.
Flat
racing is run over distances ranging from 5 furlongs (1000
metres) to 18 furlongs (3600 metres) and Jump racing is run over distances
ranging from 16 furlongs (3200 metres) to 33 furlongs (6600 metres).
Some
of the world’s most prestigious and valuable Group 1 races are staged in
Ireland, including Irish Champions Weekend, Irish Derby, 1000 and 2000 Guineas,
The Oaks and Irish St. Leger. Ireland is famous for its world class racing
festivals such as Galway and Punchestown, which attract crowds of almost 100,000
people to each.