Irish autumn racing centres on the Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh and Leopardstown in September, followed by a series of National Hunt meetings that build through October and November towards the Christmas festival season.
Irish Champions Weekend
Irish Champions Weekend takes place over two days in September, split between Leopardstown Racecourse (Saturday) and the Curragh (Sunday). The weekend features the richest prize money in Irish racing, with top flat horses competing in the Irish Champion Stakes, the Matron Stakes, the National Stakes and other Group 1 races. The weekend is Ireland’s equivalent of France’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day and attracts international competition.
See our dedicated Irish Champions Weekend betting guide for full detail.
National Hunt Return
October marks the return of National Hunt racing in earnest, with novice hurdlers and chasers beginning their campaigns. Tracks including Tipperary, Wexford, Sligo and Roscommon host autumn meetings. The National Hunt ante-post market for Cheltenham begins to form in October as trainers map out campaigns.
Key October/November Races
- Leopardstown October meeting (Grade 2 and 3 hurdles and chases)
- Down Royal Festival of Racing (Grade 1 chases in late October/November)
- Punchestown November meeting
- Navan National Hunt opening festival
Frequently Asked Questions
Autumn Racing Calendar: Key Irish Festivals
| Festival | Racecourse | Month | Feature Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions Weekend | Leopardstown / Curragh | September | Irish Champion Stakes (Gr.1) |
| Galway October Meeting | Galway | October | Galway Plate consolation races |
| Cork Autumn Festival | Cork | November | Gr.3 November Handicap Chase |
| Punchestown Winter Festival | Punchestown | November | Morgiana Hurdle (Gr.1) |
| Fairyhouse Winter Festival | Fairyhouse | December | Royal Bond Novice Hurdle |
Autumn Racing Bet Types & Value Tips
- Autumn flat season: Classic generation maidens can be found at big prices in Listed/Gr.3 races
- National Hunt season opens; first-time-out novice hurdlers often well-priced
- Champion Hurdle / Gold Cup ante-post markets go live after Champions Weekend
- Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) active at most GRAI-licensed books for Irish fixtures
Key Irish Autumn Racing Fixtures and Betting Calendar
| Meeting | Racecourse | Typical dates | Feature race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions Weekend | Leopardstown / Curragh | Early September | Irish Champion Stakes (Gr1) |
| Galway Hurdle Weekend | Galway | Late July | Galway Hurdle Handicap |
| Irish Cesarewitch | Navan | October | Cesarewitch Handicap |
| Down Royal Festival | Down Royal | Early November | JNwine.com Champion Chase |
| Navan November | Navan | November | Various Graded NH races |
Autumn Ante-Post Strategy for Irish Racing
Autumn marks the end of the flat season and the ramp-up of National Hunt racing. Leopardstown's late October/November fixtures are key trials for Cheltenham — horses that run well here often shorten in the Cheltenham outrights over winter.
- Champion Stakes day at Leopardstown (Sep): top flat horses; watch for Breeders' Cup-bound runners who may be half-ready
- November NH trials: Graded hurdle and chase form here directly predictor of Cheltenham festival prices
- Going matters: Irish tracks tend to be softer than UK in autumn — check the going before backing flat-track speedsters
Irish Champions Weekend takes place in September, split between Leopardstown on Saturday and the Curragh on Sunday. Exact dates vary by year.
The Irish Champion Stakes, Matron Stakes, National Stakes and other Group 1 flat races are the flagship events. The weekend is the climax of the flat turf season in Ireland.
National Hunt racing in Ireland typically returns in earnest in October after the summer flat season concludes. Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets begin forming from October.
Yes. GRAI-licensed bookmakers open Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets from autumn, often from October or November. Ante-post bets carry the risk of non-runner void if your horse does not run.