Curragh Racecourse
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| Location | Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland |
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Race type | Thoroughbred Flat |
| Notable races |
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| Official website | |
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.
Contents
History
The name "Curragh" comes from the Irish (Gaeilge) word Cuirreach, meaning "place of the running horse". The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727, but it was used for races before then.[1] The first Derby was held in 1866, and in 1868 the Curragh was officially declared a horse racing and training facility by act of parliament.
Racing
The course is right-handed, about two miles long and horseshoe-shaped. Races up to one mile are run on a straight course. Additionally there are several training facilities on the site.
The Curragh offers the highest purses and highest quality level of Flat racing in Ireland. In 2007, 10 of Ireland's 12 Group One races will be held at the track.
Notable races
| Month | DOW | Race Name | Type | Grade | Distance | Age/Sex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | Sunday | Park Express Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m | 3yo + f |
| April | Sunday | Gladness Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 7f | 3yo + |
| May | Monday | Athasi Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 7f | 3yo + |
| May | Monday | Mooresbridge Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m 2f | 4yo + |
| May | Monday | Tetrarch Stakes | Flat | Listed | 7f | 3yo only |
| May | Saturday | Ridgewood Pearl Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m | 4yo + f |
| May | Saturday | Irish 2,000 Guineas | Flat | Group 1 | 1m | 3yo only |
| May | Saturday | Greenlands Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 6f | 3yo + |
| May | Sunday | Irish 1,000 Guineas | Flat | Group 1 | 1m | 3yo only f |
| May | Sunday | Gallinule Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m 2f | 3yo only |
| May | Sunday | Tattersalls Gold Cup | Flat | Group 1 | 1m 2f 110y | 4yo + |
| June | Friday | International Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m 2f | 3yo + |
| June | Saturday | Irish Derby | Flat | Group 1 | 1m 4f | 3yo only |
| June | Saturday | Railway Stakes | Flat | Group 2 | 6f | 2yo only |
| June | Saturday | Sapphire Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 5f | 3yo + |
| June | Sunday | Curragh Cup | Flat | Group 3 | 1m 6f | 3yo + |
| June | Sunday | Pretty Polly Stakes | Flat | Group 1 | 1m 2f | 3yo + f |
| June | Sunday | Balanchine Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 6f | 2yo only f |
| July | Saturday | Anglesey Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 6f 63y | 2yo only |
| July | Saturday | Minstrel Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 7f | 3yo + |
| July | Saturday | Irish Oaks | Flat | Group 1 | 1m 4f | 3yo only f |
| July | Sunday | Kilboy Estate Stakes | Flat | Group 2 | 1m 1f | 3yo + f |
| August | Sunday | Phoenix Sprint Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 6f | 3yo + |
| August | Sunday | Phoenix Stakes | Flat | Group 1 | 6f | 2yo only |
| August | Sunday | Debutante Stakes | Flat | Group 2 | 7f | 2yo only |
| August | Sunday | Royal Whip Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m 2f | 3yo + |
| August | Saturday | Futurity Stakes | Flat | Group 2 | 7f | 2yo only |
| August | Saturday | Flying Five Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 5f | 3yo + |
| August | Saturday | Curragh Stakes | Flat | Listed | 5f | 2yo only |
| August | Saturday | Irish St Leger Trial Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m 6f | 3yo + |
| September | Sunday | Moyglare Stud Stakes | Flat | Group 1 | 7f | 2yo only f |
| September | Sunday | Lanwades Stud Fillies' Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 1m 1f | 3yo + f |
| September | Sunday | Round Tower Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 6f | 2yo only |
| September | Saturday | Renaissance Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 6f | 3yo + |
| September | Saturday | Blandford Stakes | Flat | Group 2 | 1m 2f | 3yo + f |
| September | Sunday | Vincent O'Brien Stakes | Flat | Group 1 | 7f | 2yo only |
| September | Sunday | Solonaway Stakes | Flat | Group 2 | 1m | 3yo + |
| September | Sunday | Irish St. Leger | Flat | Group 1 | 1m 6f | 3yo + |
| September | Sunday | C. L. Weld Park Stakes | Flat | Group 3 | 7f | 2yo only f |
| September | Sunday | Beresford Stakes | Flat | Group 2 | 1m | 2yo only |
All 5 Irish classics are run at The Curragh.
Railway Connections
Kildare railway station: On days of racing there is a shuttle bus to Curragh Racecourse. South Kildare Community Transport also serve the station providing links to Milltown, Nurney and Kildangan.[2]
Former railway station
Curragh Racecourse railway station opened in 1875, but finally closed on 7 March 1977.[3] It sometimes opens for the Irish Derby.
References
- ↑ Curragh.ie – About/History
- ↑ http://skct.ie/Athy_Newbridge%20Timetable%20June%202013.pdf
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
