List of Irish National Hunt races

Last updated

A list of notable National Hunt horse races which take place annually in Ireland, under the authority of Horse Racing Ireland, including all races which currently hold Grade 1 or Grade 2 status.

Contents

Grade 1

Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance
Age
2023-24 winner
November Ladbrokes Champion Chase Chase Down Royal 3m5yo +Gerri Colombe
November Morgiana Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m4yo +State Man
November John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase Chase Punchestown 2m 4f5yo +Fastorslow
Nov / Dec Royal Bond Novice Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m4yo +Farren Glory
Nov / Dec Drinmore Novice Chase Chase Fairyhouse 2m 4f5yo +I Am Maximus
Nov / Dec Hatton's Grace Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m 4f4yo +Teahupoo
December Racing Post Novice Chase Chase Leopardstown 2m 1f4yo +Found A Fifty
December Faugheen Novice Chase Chase Limerick 2m 3½f4yo +Gaelic Warrior
December Paddy's Reward Club Chase Chase Leopardstown 2m 1f5yo +Dinoblue
December Future Champions Novice Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m4yo +Caldwell Potter
December Christmas Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 3m4yo +Irish Point
December Savills Chase Chase Leopardstown 3m5yo + Galopin Des Champs
December Matheson Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m4yo +State Man
December Neville Hotels Novice Chase Chase Leopardstown 3m4yo +Grangeclare West
January Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle Hurdle Naas 2m 4f5yo +Readin Tommy Wrong
February Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m 6f5yo +Dancing City
February Spring Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m4yoKargese
February Arkle Novice Chase Chase Leopardstown 2m 1f5yo +Il Etait Temps
February Irish Gold Cup Chase Leopardstown 3m5yo + Galopin Des Champs
February Irish Champion Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m4yo +State Man
February Dublin Chase Chase Leopardstown 2m 1f5yo +El Fabiolo
February Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m5yo +Ballyburn
February Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase Chase Leopardstown 2m 5f5yo +Fact To File
April Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m 4½f4yo + mJade De Grugy
April WillowWarm Gold Cup Chase Fairyhouse 2m 4f5yo +Spillane's Tower
April / May KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m5yo +Mystical Power
April / May William Hill Champion Chase Chase Punchestown 2m ½f5yo +Banbridge
April / May Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase Chase Punchestown 3m 1f5yo +Spillane's Tower
April / May Channor Group Novice Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 3m4yo +Dancing City
April / May Punchestown Gold Cup Chase Punchestown 3m 1f5yo +Fastorslow
April / May Champion INH Flat Race Flat Punchestown 2m 4–7yoRedemption Day
April / May Champion Stayers Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 3m4yo +Teahupoo
April / May Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Chase Punchestown 2m5yo +Il Etait Temps
April / May Punchestown Champion Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m4yo +State Man
April / May Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m 4½f4yo +Ballyburn
April / May Champion Four Year Old Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m4yoKargese
April / May Mares Champion Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m 4f4yo + mLossiemouth

Grade 2

Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance
Age
2023-24 winner
Sep / Oct Gowran Park Champion Chase Chase Gowran Park 2m 4f5yo +Easy Game
November Skymas Chase Chase Down Royal 2m 4f5yo +Ash Tree Meadow
November Lismullen Hurdle Hurdle Navan 2m 4f4yo +Bob Olinger
November Fortria Chase Chase Navan 2m5yo +Captain Guinness
November Clonmel Oil Chase Chase Clonmel 2m 4f5yo +Allaho
November Craddockstown Novice Chase Chase Punchestown 2m4yo +Imagine
November Florida Pearl Novice Chase Chase Punchestown 2m 6½f5yo +Favori De Champdou
December Navan Novice Hurdle Hurdle Navan 2m 4f4yo +Slade Steel
December Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase Chase Cork 2m 1f4yo +Silent Approach
December Hilly Way Chase Chase Cork 2m5yo +El Fabiolo
December Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle Hurdle Limerick 3m4yo +Loughglynn
December Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m3yoKala Conti
December Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase Chase Limerick 2m 6f5yo +Hauturiere
January Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m5yo +Mystical Power
January Coolmore Mares Novice Chase Chase Thurles 2m 4f5yo +Harmonya Maker
January Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase Chase Thurles 2m 4½f6yo +Allaho
January Galmoy Hurdle Hurdle Gowran Park 3m5yo +Monkfish
February Donohue Marquees Future Stars I.N.H. Flat Race Flat Leopardstown 2m 4–7yoJeroboam Machin
February Coolmore Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race Flat Leopardstown 2m 4–7yoFleur Au Fusil
February Boyne Hurdle Hurdle Navan 2m 5f5yo +Hiddenvalley Lake
February Ten Up Novice Chase Chase Navan 3m5yo +American Mike
February Red Mills Chase Chase Gowran Park 2m 4f5yo +Saint Sam
March Webster Cup Chase Chase Navan 2m 4½f5yo +Ash Tree Meadow
March / April Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m 4f5yo +Brewin'upastorm
March / April Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Nov Hdl Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m 4f4yo +Captain Cody
March / April Donohoe Marquees Novice Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m4yo +Mirazur West
March / April Devenish Chase Chase Fairyhouse 2m 4f5yo +Journey With Me
April O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m4yoBottler'secret
April/MayGlencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares ChaseChase Punchestown 2m 5f5yo +Brides Hill

Grade 3

MonthRace NameTypeRacecourseDistanceAge2024-25 winner
May An Riocht Chase Chase Killarney 2m 4½f5yo +Ash Tree Meadow
July Grimes Hurdle Hurdle Tipperary 2m4yo +Winter Fog
July/August Galway Plate Chase Galway 2m 6f4yo +Pinkerton
July/August Galway Hurdle Hurdle Galway 2m4yo +Nuburgring
July/August Ballybrit Novice Chase Chase Galway 2m 1f4yo +Ashdale Bob
SeptemberKerry NationalChase Listowel 3m4yo +
Sept / October Kilbegnet Novice Chase Chase Roscommon 2m4yo +
October Joe Mac Novice Hurdle Hurdle Tipperary 2m4yo +
October Istabraq Hurdle Hurdle Tipperary 2m4yo +
October Like A Butterfly Novice Chase Chase Tipperary 2m 4f4yo +
October Buck House Novice Chase Chase Punchestown 2m 2f4yo +
October Irish Daily Star Chase Chase Punchestown 3m 1f5yo +
OctoberMunster NationalChase Limerick 3m4yo +
November Down Royal Mares Novice Hurdle Hurdle Down Royal 2m4yo +
November Bottlegreen Hurdle Hurdle Down Royal 2m4yo +
November Cork E.B.F. Novice Chase Chase Cork 2m 4f5yo +
November Poplar Square Chase Chase Naas 2m5yo +
November For Auction Novice Hurdle Hurdle Navan 2m4yo +
November Monksfield Novice Hurdle Hurdle Navan 2m 4f4yo +
NovemberTroytown ChaseChase Navan 3m4yo +
DecemberWillowWarm HurdleHurdle Fairyhouse 2m3yo
December Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m3yo
December Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle Hurdle Cork 3m4yo +
December Leopardstown E.B.F. Mares Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m 4f4yo +
January Savills New Year's Day Chase Chase Tramore 2m 5f5yo +
January John and Chich Fowler Memorial Mares Chase Chase Fairyhouse 2m 4f5yo +
JanuaryDan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap ChaseChase Fairyhouse 2m 1½f5yo +
January Killiney Novice Chase Chase Punchestown 2m 3½f5yo +
January Thyestes Chase Chase Gowran Park 3m 1f5yo +
January Limestone Lad Hurdle Hurdle Naas 2m 3f5yo +
January Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase Chase Naas 3m5yo +
January Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle Hurdle Fairyhouse 2m 2f4yo +
FebruaryO'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Hcap ChaseChase Leopardstown 2m 5f5yo +
February Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle Hurdle Clonmel 3m4yo +
February Red Mills Trial Hurdle Hurdle Gowran Park 2m4yo +
February Quevega Mares Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m 4½f4yo + m
February Michael Purcell Novice Hurdle Hurdle Thurles 2m 5f5yo +
February Bobbyjo Chase Chase Fairyhouse 3m 1½f5yo +
February Newlands Chase Chase Naas 2m5yo +
February Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle Naas 1m 7½f4yo
March Flyingbolt Novice Chase Chase Navan 2m5yo +
March Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle Hurdle Naas 2m4yo +
March Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase Chase Naas 2m 4f5yo +
March Limerick E.B.F. Mares Novice Hurdle Hurdle Limerick 2m4yo +
March Native Upmanship Novice Chase Chase Thurles 2m 2f5yo +
March Imperial Call Chase Chase Cork 3m5yo +
March / April Irish Grand National Chase Fairyhouse 3m 6f5yo +
MarchBar One Racing Easter Handicap HurdleHurdle Cork 2m 3f4yo +
April Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase Chase Limerick 3m ½f5yo +
April / MayHSS Hire Handicap ChaseChase Punchestown 2m 4½f5yo +
April / May Weatherbys Ireland EBF Mares Bumper Flat Punchestown 2m 4–7yo

Selected other races

Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance
Age
2024-25 winner
MayTourist Attraction Mares HurdleHurdle Killarney 2m 1f4yo +Minx Tiara
MayKillarney NationalChase Killarney 3m 2f5yo +Brideswell Lad
MayMayo NationalChase Ballinrobe 2m 7f4yo +Duffle Coat
JuneConnacht NationalChase Roscommon 3m ½f5yo +Paidi's Passion
JulyMidlands NationalChase Kilbeggan 3m 1f4yo +Idas Boy
July/AugustColm Quinn BMW Novice HurdleHurdle Galway 2m 1f4yo +Gale Mahler
July/AugustGuinness Galway Blazers Handicap ChaseChase Galway 2m 6½f4yo +Battleoverdoyen
July/AugustBoyle Sports Handicap HurdleHurdle Galway 2m 6½f4yo +The Wallpark
SeptemberLiam Healy Memorial Lartigue HurdleHurdle Listowel 2m4yo
SeptemberPat Walsh Memorial Mares HurdleHurdle Gowran Park 2m4yo +
SeptemberMucklemeg Mares Flat RaceFlat Gowran Park 2m4yo +
OctoberCo-Op Superstores Handicap ChaseChase Cork 2m 1½f4yo +
October Fergus O'Toole Memorial Novice Hurdle Hurdle Limerick 2m 5f4yo +
OctoberCailin Alainn Mares' HurdleHurdle Limerick 2m 6½f4yo +
OctoberM.W. Hickey Memorial ChaseChase Wexford 2m 7f5yo +
November Cork E.B.F. Novice Hurdle Hurdle Cork 3m4yo +
NovemberCork Grand NationalChase Cork 3m 4f4yo +
NovemberHaslem Hotel Handicap HurdleHurdle Down Royal 2m 1f4yo +
November T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase Chase Clonmel 2m 4f4yo +
NovemberBrown Lad Handicap HurdleHurdle Naas 2m 4f4yo +
November Grabel Mares Hurdle Hurdle Punchestown 2m 2f4yo +
NovemberIrish EBF Mares INH Flat RaceFlat Navan 2m 4–7yo
November John Meagher Memorial Chase Chase Thurles 2m 6f5yo +
DecemberEasyFix Equine Handicap ChaseChase Fairyhouse 2m 1f4yo +
DecemberPorterstown Handicap ChaseChase Fairyhouse 3m 5½f4yo +
DecemberBar One Racing Handicap HurdleHurdle Fairyhouse 2m4yo +
DecemberIrish Racing Mares Novice HurdleHurdle Punchestown 2m 3½f4yo +
DecemberBective Stud, Tea Rooms & Apartment Handicap HurdleHurdle Navan 3m 1f4yo+
DecemberFoxrock Handicap ChaseChase Navan 2m 4½f4yo+
December Tara Hurdle Hurdle Navan 2m 4f4yo +
DecemberFuture Champ INH Flat RaceFlat Navan 2m 4–7yo
DecemberBilly Harney Memorial Mares Novice HurdleHurdle Thurles 2m4yo +
DecemberPaddy Power ChaseChase Leopardstown 3m5yo +
DecemberTim Duggan Memorial Handicap ChaseChase Limerick 2m 3½f4yo +
DecemberQuinn Bank Handicap HurdleHurdle Limerick 2m3-4yo
JanuaryNavan Handicap HurdleHurdle Navan 2m 4f4yo +
FebruaryRace And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap HurdleHurdle Leopardstown 3m ½f4yo +
FebruaryRyanair Handicap ChaseChase Leopardstown 2m 1f5yo +
FebruaryPaddy Mullins Mares Handicap HurdleHurdle Leopardstown 2m 2f4yo + m
February Liffey Handicap Hurdle Hurdle Leopardstown 2m4yo +
FebruaryBBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares ChaseChase Naas 2m5yo +
FebruaryApple's Jade Mares Novice HurdleHurdle Navan 2m 5f4yo +
FebruaryQuinn Bet Grand National TrialChase Punchestown 3m 3f5yo +
FebruarySheila Bourke Novice HurdleHurdle Punchestown 2m4yo +
FebruaryColreevy Mares Novice ChaseChase Thurles 2m 6f5yo +
February Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase Chase Naas 2m 4f5yo +
MarchQuinnBet Handicap ChaseChase Leopardstown 2m 5½f5yo+
MarchHolden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap ChaseChase Gowran Park 2m5yo+
MarchLeinster NationalChase Naas 3m ½f5yo +
MarchIrish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase FinalChase Navan 2m 7½f5yo+
MarchKevin McManus Bookmaker Champion Flat RaceFlat Limerick 2m 4yo
MarchBoyle Sports Mares Handicap ChaseChase Fairyhouse 2m 5f5yo +
MarchI.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap HurdleHurdle Fairyhouse 3m5yo +
MarchRYBO Handicap HurdleHurdle Fairyhouse 2m4yo +
MarchTotal Enjoyment Mares Flat RaceFlat Fairyhouse 2m4-7yo
MarchBoyleSports, Proud Sponsors Since 2014 Novice Handicap ChaseChase Fairyhouse 2m ½f5yo +
AprilUlster NationalChase Downpatrick 3m 4½f5yo +
AprilKillashee Hotel Handicap HurdleHurdle Punchestown 2m ½f4yo +
MayFrontline Security Handicap ChaseChase Punchestown 2m ½f4yo +
MayConway Piling Handicap HurdleHurdle Punchestown 2m 7½f4yo +
MayClose Brothers Mares' Novice HurdleHurdle Punchestown 2m ½f4yo +
MayEMS Copiers Novice Handicap ChaseChase Punchestown 2m 4f5yo +
MayPat Taaffe Handicap ChaseChase Punchestown 3m ½f5yo +
MaySBK Gold Trophy Handicap HurdleHurdle Punchestown 2m 4½f4yo +

Discontinued

Last Run
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance
Age
February 2017 Tied Cottage Chase Chase Punchestown 2m5yo +
April 2017 Normans Grove Chase Chase Fairyhouse 2m 1f5yo +

Distances in miles and furlongs

Related Research Articles

National Hunt racing is a form of horse racing particular to France, Great Britain, and Ireland, that requires horses to jump fences and ditches. In the UK it is divided into two major distinct branches, hurdling and steeplechase, as well as flat races called "bumpers". Hurdling involved the horses jumping over obstacles called hurdles, whereas in a steeplechase the horses jump over a variety of obstacles that can include plain fences, water jump or an open ditch. In the UK, the biggest National Hunt events of the year are generally considered to be the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Navan Novice Hurdle is a Grade Two National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run in mid-December at Navan in Ireland, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs.

The Red Mills Trial Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run at Gowran Park in February, over a distance of about 2 miles and during the race there are nine hurdles to be jumped. It was downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3 in 2017.

The Monksfield Novice Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt novice hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Navan over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.

The Flyingbolt Novice Chase is Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Navan Racecourse in March, over a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong and during the race there are 12 fences to be jumped. The race was first run in 2003 and was downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3 in 2017.

The Bobbyjo Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Fairyhouse Racecourse in February, over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong and during the race there are twenty fences to be jumped.

The Killiney Novice Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Ireland. It is currently run at Punchestown Racecourse in early January, over a distance of about 2 miles and 3½ furlongs.

The Kinloch Brae Chase, currently run as the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Thurles Racecourse in late January or early February, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs and during its running there are 14 fences to be jumped.

The Slaney Novice Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle, is a Grade One National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run in January at Naas Racecourse, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs and during its running there are 11 flights of hurdles to be jumped. The race is often contested by horses who go on to compete at the Cheltenham Festival, such as the 1978 winner, Golden Cygnet, who went on to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and 2021 winner, Bob Olinger, who went on to win the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.

The Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle horse race in Ireland. It is run at Thurles Racecourse in February or March, over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs and during the race there are twelve hurdles to be jumped.

The Newlands Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Naas over a distance of about 2 miles and during the race there are 10 fences to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in late February or early March.

The Ballybrit Novice Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. The race is run at Galway Racecourse, over a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong.

The Poplar Square Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Naas Racecourse in late October or early November over a distance of about 2 miles.

The Fishery Lane Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years. It is run at Naas over a distance of about 2 miles, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.

The Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt novice hurdle in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older.

The John and Chich Fowler Memorial Mares Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to mares aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in January.

The Weatherbys Ireland EBF Mares Bumper is a Grade 3 National Hunt flat race in Ireland for amateur riders which is open to mares and fillies aged four to seven years. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong (2 miles and 70 yards, or 3,283 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Punchestown Festival in late April or early May.

The Metal Man Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Tramore Racecourse over a distance of about 2 miles and 5½ furlongs. The race is scheduled to take place each year on New Year's Day and is currently run as the Savills New Year's Day Chase.

The Native Upmanship Novice Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt novice chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Thurles Racecourse over a distance of about 2 miles and 2 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in March.

References