What is the Dublin Racing Festival?
The Dublin Racing Festival is the most important mid-season meeting of the jumps
calendar, two days at Leopardstown in February that cram in an extraordinary
number of Grade 1 races. First staged in 2018, it quickly established itself as
unmissable: the weekend that brings the Cheltenham picture into focus.
Two days, a season's worth of clues
What sets the Dublin Racing Festival apart is its timing. Held roughly six weeks
before the Cheltenham Festival, it is the last chance to see most of the leading
contenders before the championships, and the form it produces drives the
Cheltenham ante-post markets harder than any other meeting. The Irish Champion
Hurdle and the Irish Gold Cup are the marquee races, but every Grade 1 across the
weekend is studied for Cheltenham clues.
How to watch the Dublin Racing Festival
Dublin Racing Festival racing is broadcast on television in Ireland and the UK, and
major bookmakers stream the races to eligible, funded account holders. Confirmed
broadcast details are published closer to the meeting.
Betting at the Dublin Racing Festival
For ante-post punters, this is one of the pivotal weekends of the year, Cheltenham
prices can move sharply on the back of Leopardstown's results. For race-by-race
analysis, see our individual hubs as they are published, and our
Cheltenham Festival hub for the meeting it sets up.
The Dublin Racing Festival is the key mid-season betting meeting for the jumps. Every operator below is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Always check the bookmaker's site for current odds and terms.
We only point you to a bookmaker once our tracked, UK Gambling Commission licensed
links are live. For now, take the best price you can find at any licensed operator, and
see our guide to Best Odds Guaranteed.
18+ · Please gamble responsibly · BeGambleAware.org.
When is the 2027 Dublin Racing Festival?
The 2027 Dublin Racing Festival is due to be held over two days in February 2027. The exact dates are confirmed by Leopardstown Racecourse with the fixture list.
How many days is the Dublin Racing Festival?
The Dublin Racing Festival runs over two days, a Saturday and Sunday, and packs a remarkable concentration of Grade 1 racing into the weekend.
What are the main races at the Dublin Racing Festival?
The weekend is headlined by Grade 1 contests including the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Irish Gold Cup, alongside a series of other top-level hurdle and chase championships.
Why does the Dublin Racing Festival matter?
Held roughly six weeks before the Cheltenham Festival, it is the single most important trial meeting of the jumps season, the form produced at Leopardstown shapes the Cheltenham ante-post markets more than any other.
How can I watch the Dublin Racing Festival?
Dublin Racing Festival racing is broadcast on television in Ireland and the UK, and major bookmakers stream the races to eligible account holders.