Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2026 Betting Guide

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is Ireland's most prestigious jumps meeting outside of Cheltenham. Held over four days between Christmas and New Year at Leopardstown Racecourse in south Dublin, it attracts the leading Irish — and often top British — National Hunt horses in what are established trials for the Cheltenham Festival in March. For punters, it offers some of the year's most competitive race betting alongside the Christmas atmosphere at one of Ireland's best-loved tracks.

Festival Overview

The Christmas Festival runs over four days, typically 26, 27, 28 and 29 December, with Grade 1 championship races on each day. The exact 2026 schedule should be confirmed with Leopardstown Racecourse directly — race cards are published well in advance and available via the official site and Racing Post. Fields are usually strong because Irish trainers target the festival as an end-of-year showcase before the January-to-March run-up to Cheltenham.

Key Grade 1 Races

Note: Race names, sponsors and grading can change from year to year. Always confirm the current race list via the Leopardstown Racecourse website or Racing Post before placing ante-post bets.

Betting Markets at the Christmas Festival

GRAI-licensed Irish bookmakers offer a full range of markets on each race:

• Race winner — straightforward win bet on the horse you think will win
• Each-way — available on most races; place terms vary (see our each-way guide)
• Ante-post — markets open weeks or months before race day, with better odds but no non-runner refunds unless offered specifically
• Best odds guaranteed (BOG) — many bookmakers guarantee you receive either your taken price or the starting price, whichever is higher. This is worth looking for at the Christmas Festival.
• Cheltenham festival ante-post — a strong performance at Leopardstown often triggers ante-post moves for Cheltenham. Some punters back a horse for Cheltenham immediately after a Christmas win.

Leopardstown as a Cheltenham Trial

The Christmas Festival is one of the most important Cheltenham preparation meetings in the calendar. Historically, Grade 1 winners at Leopardstown in December have gone on to run well — and win — at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Irish jumps trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, who have dominated Irish National Hunt racing in the modern era based on their factual record of winners, typically field their strongest horses at the Christmas meeting as part of a structured campaign towards Cheltenham.

For punters, this means that form at the Christmas Festival is reliable form for ante-post Cheltenham markets. A horse that wins a Grade 1 hurdle at Leopardstown in December is a live ante-post Cheltenham contender.

Tips for Betting the Christmas Festival

These are general approaches — not specific bets. No betting outcome is guaranteed.

• Track specialists matter: Leopardstown is a right-handed, relatively flat track. Some horses consistently perform well there — check previous course form.
• Trainer form in December: The leading Irish National Hunt trainers typically have horses at their peak for this meeting after autumn builds. Recent declarations and trainer comments (available via Racing Post) give context.
• Ante-post value vs race-day flexibility: Ante-post prices are often more generous, but you lose your stake if your selection doesn't run. Race-day prices are safer but shorter. BOG mitigates this if your bookmaker offers it.
• For specific runners and current odds: check GRAI-licensed bookmakers closer to the festival. We publish updated tips as the race cards are confirmed.