QIPCO Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh 2027 is one of the most keenly anticipated fixtures in the Irish racing calendar. This guide covers the main betting markets, ante-post strategy and what Irish punters should know before backing at this meeting.
About the Meeting
QIPCO Irish Champions Weekend — typically held over two days at Leopardstown and the Curragh in September — is Ireland's answer to British Champions Day and brings together the best flat horses of the season for a concluding autumn showcase. The meeting includes Group 1 races across different distances and codes, culminating in a celebration of the flat racing season before attention turns to the Arc and then the winter jumps campaign. For Irish punters, it represents the final chance to bet ante-post or race-day on Ireland's best flat horses of the season.
Main Betting Markets
- Race-by-race match betting: Standard win and each-way markets on every race across the meeting.
- Ante-post feature race: Pre-meeting markets on the flagship race — typically the Grade 1 or Group 1 highlight. These open weeks in advance and offer better prices than race-day markets at the cost of non-runner risk.
- Top trainer / jockey: Which trainer or jockey sends out the most winners across the meeting — popular novelty markets at multi-day festivals.
- Each-way betting: Most bookmakers offer 4 places at 1/4 odds for large-field handicaps and 3 places for smaller fields. Always check terms before placing.
Ante-Post Betting Strategy
Ante-post prices for feature races open weeks or months before the meeting. The best value typically comes 4–8 weeks before the race, once the likely field takes shape but before market leaders attract significant money. Non-runner risk is real — always check whether the bookmaker offers non-runner money back for the specific market before placing.
Responsible Betting at Racing Festivals
Multi-day meetings can generate significant cumulative betting spend. Set a daily budget before each day of the festival and treat it as your maximum regardless of earlier results. Contact the Gambling Awareness Trust at 1800 753 753 or visit gamblingcare.ie. 18+ only.
GRAI remote betting licence in force. 18+ only, T&Cs apply.
Compare Betting Odds →Frequently Asked Questions
Leopardstown Champions Weekend 2027: Race Guide
| Race | Grade | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Gold Cup | Grade 1 | 3m | Chase |
| Dublin Chase | Grade 1 | 2m | Chase |
| Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m | Hurdle |
| Flogas Novice Chase | Grade 1 | 2.5m | Chase |
Leopardstown February Meeting: Cheltenham Implications
The Leopardstown Champions Weekend in early February doubles as one of the most significant Cheltenham trial meetings on the calendar. The Irish Gold Cup and the Dublin Chase are direct warm-up races for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Chase respectively. Cheltenham ante-post prices typically move significantly after these results.
- Irish Gold Cup → Cheltenham Gold Cup: Irish Gold Cup winners are almost always entered for Cheltenham seven weeks later; winners start favourite
- Market movement: act in the first hour after racing on Saturday if you spot a Cheltenham value price before the market moves
- Non-runners: bad weather can cause Leopardstown to be called off, pushing Cheltenham prices to drift before they firm up closer to the Festival
Ante-post betting offers better prices than race-day markets but carries non-runner risk. If your selection is withdrawn before the race, most ante-post bets are lost unless non-runner money-back is offered. For feature races with strong ante-post markets, check terms carefully before placing.
Standard each-way terms at Irish racecourses are typically 4 places at 1/4 odds for races with 8 or more runners. Terms vary by race type and field size — handicaps often offer better each-way terms than conditions races. Always check with your bookmaker before placing.
Yes — all major horse racing betting in Ireland is covered by GRAI-licensed bookmakers. The GRAI licence No. GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001 covers remote betting operations including horse racing markets for Irish punters.
In-play betting during individual horse races is not widely available as races last only a few minutes. However, some bookmakers offer in-running markets for longer races. Pre-race in-play markets on the day of racing offer improved information over ante-post prices.