Irish Group 3 Horse Races

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Irish group 3 races are fiercely run horse racing events by some of the best racehorses in Ireland.

Irish Group 3 horse races are two tiers off the highest-rated Irish horse races in Ireland’s Racing Calendar. The group three horse racing events are a test of class with all thoroughbreds running off level weights unless receiving weight allowance for a 3yo racing against older horses or carrying a penalty for previous success.

The trainers and top-rated horse racing jockeys fight out in group three races throughout the year in Ireland.

In our Irish group three horse racing guide, we will list everything you need to know about the biggest and best group 3 horse races in Ireland.

What does Group 3 mean in horse racing?

The term Group 3 in horse racing is used for the third-highest tier of horse races in the world.

While they are not considered as important as the Group 1 or Group 2 races, Group 3 races are also rated as top-class events.

The best horse racing thoroughbreds need to achieve an official rating of 105 plus to compete in the quality group three races.

International contenders compete in the competitive Irish group three races to try and get their black-type status.

All Irish Group Three Horse Races

Here is a list of all the group 3 races in Ireland:

Race NameRacecourseDistanceAgeMonth
Park Express StakesCurragh1m3yo+ fMarch
Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial StakesLeopardstown7f3yo fMarch
Ballysax StakesLeopardstown1m 2f3yoApril
Alleged StakesCurragh1m 2f4yo+April
Gladness StakesCurragh7f4yo+April
Vintage Crop StakesNavan1m 6f3yo+April
Athasi StakesCurragh7f3yo+ fMay
Blue Wind StakesNaas1m 2f3yo+ fMay
Irish 1,000 Guineas TrialLeopardstown1m3yo fMay
Derrinstown Stud Derby TrialLeopardstown1m 2f3yoMay
Amethyst StakesLeopardstown1m3yo+May
Lacken StakesNaas6f3yoMay
Fillies’ Sprint StakesNaas6f2yo fMay
Greenlands StakesCurragh6f3yo+May
Gallinule StakesCurragh1m 2f3yoMay
Ballyogan StakesCurragh6f3yo+ fJune
Munster OaksCork1m 4f3yo+ fJune
Ballycorus StakesLeopardstown7f3yo+May
International StakesCurragh1m 2f3yo+June
Brownstown StakesFairyhouse7f3yo+ fJune
Stannera StakesLeopardstown1m 6f3yo+ fJuly
Silver Flash StakesLeopardstown7f2yo fJuly
Anglesey StakesCurragh6f 63y2yoJuly
Tyros StakesLeopardstown7f2yoJuly
Meld StakesLeopardstown1m 1f3yo+July
Give Thanks StakesCork1m 4f3yo+ fJuly
Ballyroan StakesLeopardstown1m 4f3yo+August
Phoenix Sprint StakesCurragh6f3yo+August
Desmond StakesLeopardstown1m3yo+August
Fairy Bridge StakesTipperary7f 100y3yo+ fAugust
Royal Whip StakesCurragh1m 2f3yo+August
Irish St Leger Trial StakesCurragh1m 6f3yo+August
Flame Of Tara StakesCurragh1m2yo fAugust
Round Tower StakesCurragh6f2yoAugust
Dance Design StakesCurragh1m 1f3yo+ fAugust
Juvenile Turf StakesLeopardstown1m2yoSeptember
KPMG Enterprise StakesLeopardstown1m 2f3yo+September
Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies StakesGowran Park1m 1f 100y3yo+ fSeptember
Loughbrown StakesCurragh2m3yo+September
Weld Park StakesCurragh7f2yo fSeptember
Renaissance StakesCurragh6f3yo+September
Diamond StakesDundalk1m 2f 150y3yo+September
Concorde StakesTipperary7f 100y3yo+October
Killavullan StakesLeopardstown7f2yoOctober
Eyrefield StakesLeopardstown1m 1f2yoOctober

Guide To All Irish Group Three Horse Races

Here is a guide to all the Group Three Races in Ireland:

Park Express Stakes

The Park Express Stakes is a Group Three horse race run at Curragh Racecourse over a 1-mile distance taking place at the start of the Flat season in March. The race is open to horses aged three years old and older and attracts a competitive field looking to win the first major Group Three prize.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Park Express Stakes Group 3 racing event in Ireland.

Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes

The Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat event for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies.

Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes

In March or April, it is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Leopardstown.

Ballysax Stakes

The Ballysax Stakes is a three-year-old thoroughbred flat horse event held in Ireland.

Ballysax Stakes

In April, it is run over a distance of one mile and two furlongs at Leopardstown.

Alleged Stakes

The Alleged Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event held in Ireland for thoroughbred horses aged four and over.

Alleged Stakes

In April, it is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs. In 2003, the event was held for the first time.

Gladness Stakes

The Gladness Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event available to horses aged three and up.

Gladness Stakes

It is held at the Curragh in April and is run over a distance of 7 furlongs.

Vintage Crop Stakes

The Vintage Crop Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event held in Ireland for thoroughbred horses aged four and higher. It is held each year in April at Navan over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs.

Vintage Crop Stakes

In 2003, the race was first run as a Listed event.

Athasi Stakes

The Athasi Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Athasi Stakes

It takes place at the Curragh in early May over a distance of 7 furlongs.

Blue Wind Stakes

The Blue Wind Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older.

Blue Wind Stakes

It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs at Naas in May.

Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial

The Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. In May, it is held over a distance of one mile (1,609 metres) at Leopardstown.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial Group 3 race in Ireland.

Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial

The Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial is a three-year-old thoroughbred flat horse race held in Ireland.

Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial

It is held at Leopardstown in May and is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs.

Amethyst Stakes

The Amethyst Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Amethyst Stakes

In May, it is run over a mile course at Leopardstown.

Lacken Stakes

The Lacken Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event in Ireland that is only open to three-year-old horses. It is held every year in late May or early June at Naas over a distance of 6 furlongs.

Lacken Stakes

The event was first conducted in 2014 as a Listed competition. In 2015, it was placed in Group 3.

Fillies’ Sprint Stakes

The Fillies’ Sprint Stakes in Ireland is a Group 3 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies.

Fillies Sprint Stakes

It takes place each year in May or June at Naas over a distance of 6 furlongs.

Greenlands Stakes

The Greenlands Stakes is an Irish Group 2 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged four and up.

Greenlands Stakes

It takes held every year in May at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs.

Gallinule Stakes

The Gallinule Stakes is a three-year-old thoroughbred flat horse event held in Ireland.

Gallinule Stakes

It takes place at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs and is held every year in May.

Ballyogan Stakes

The Ballyogan Stakes is a Group 3 horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Ballyogan Stakes

It takes held every year in June at The Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs.

Munster Oaks

The Munster Oaks is a Group 3 flat race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older.

Munster Oaks

It is run at Cork over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.

Ballycorus Stakes

The Ballycorus Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Ballycorus Stakes

It is held every year in mid-June at Leopardstown over a distance of 7 furlongs.

International Stakes

The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event held in the United Kingdom for horses aged three and over.

International Stakes Ireland

It takes place every year in August and is run over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs, and 56 yards at York.

Brownstown Stakes

The Brownstown Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Brownstown Stakes

It takes place at Fairyhouse over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) and is held every year in late June or early July.

Stannera Stakes

The Stannera Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event held in Ireland for three-year-old fillies and mares.

Stannera Stakes

It is held every year in July at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs (2,816 metres).

Silver Flash Stakes

The Silver Flash Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies held in Ireland.

Silver Flash Stakes

It takes place every year in July at Leopardstown over a distance of 7 furlongs.

Anglesey Stakes

The Anglesey Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbreds.

Anglesey Stakes

It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs and 63 yards and takes place every year in July.

Tyros Stakes

The Tyros Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbreds. Every year in July, it is held at Leopardstown over a distance of seven furlongs.

Tyros Stakes

Previously, the tournament was held in mid-August in the Curragh.

Meld Stakes

The Meld Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event held in Ireland for thoroughbred horses aged three and over.

Meld Stakes

It is held every year in July at Leopardstown over a course of 1 mile and 1 furlong.

Give Thanks Stakes

The Give Thanks Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Give Thanks Stakes

It takes place at Cork Racecourse over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs and is held every year in late July or early August.

Ballyroan Stakes

The Ballyroan Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event available to horses aged three and up.

Ballyroan Stakes

It is held every year in August at Leopardstown over a course of 1 mile and 4 furlongs.

Phoenix Sprint Stakes

The Phoenix Sprint Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Phoenix Sprint Stakes

It takes held every year in August at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs.

Desmond Stakes

The Desmond Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Desmond Stakes

It is held every year in August at Leopardstown over a distance of one mile.

Fairy Bridge Stakes

The Fairy Bridge Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older.

Fairy Bridge Stakes

It is run at Tipperary over a distance of 7 furlongs and 100 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.

Royal Whip Stakes

The Royal Whip Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Royal Whip Stakes

In August, it is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs.

Irish St Leger Trial Stakes

The Irish St Leger Trial Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event held in Ireland for thoroughbred horses aged three and higher.

Irish St Leger Trial Stakes

It is held at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs and takes place every year in August.

Flame Of Tara Stakes

The Flame Of Tara Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat event for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It takes place every year in late August or early September in the Curragh over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Flame Of Tara Stakes Group 3 horse event in Ireland.

Round Tower Stakes

The Round Tower Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse competition for two-year-old thoroughbreds.

Round Tower Stakes

The race is held every year in late August or early September at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs.

Dance Design Stakes

The Dance Design Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Dance Design Stakes

It is held in the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong (1,811 metres) and is held in late August or early September each year.

Juvenile Turf Stakes

The Juvenile Stakes in Ireland is a Group 3 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbreds.

Juvenile Turf Stakes

It is held at Leopardstown in September and is a one-mile race.

KPMG Enterprise Stakes

The KPMG Enterprise Stakes is a group three-horse event in Ireland for horses aged three and older.

KPMG Enterprise Stakes

The race is scheduled to take place in September at the Leopardstown racecourse.

Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies Stakes

The Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse event held in Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies Stakes

It is held each year in late September at Gowran Park over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong, and 100 yards (1,902 metres).

Loughbrown Stakes

The Loughbrown Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up. It is held every year in September at the Curragh over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres).

Loughbrown Stakes

The event was first conducted as a Listed race in 2013.

Weld Park Stakes

The Weld Park Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies.

Weld Park Stakes

It is held annually in September or October at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs.

Renaissance Stakes

The Renaissance Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Renaissance Stakes

It is held every year in September at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres).

Diamond Stakes

The Diamond Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up.

Diamond Stakes

It is held every year in September or October at Dundalk over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs, and 150 yards (2,149 metres).

Concorde Stakes

The Concorde Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up. It is held every year in early October at Tipperary over a distance of 7 furlongs and 100 yards (1,500 metres).

For more information, check out our full guide to the Concorde Stakes Group 3 horse racing in Ireland.

Killavullan Stakes

The Killavullan Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbreds.

Killavullan Stakes

It is held at Leopardstown over a distance of 7 furlongs and takes place every year in late October.

Eyrefield Stakes

The Eyrefield Stakes is an Irish Group 3 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbreds.

Eyrefield Stakes

It takes held every year in October or November at Leopardstown over a course of 1 mile and 1 furlong.

Summary

The Irish group 3 flat races are run over various distances varying from 5 furlongs up to 2-mile events.

Punters enjoy placing bets on the Irish Group Three events because it is some of the top-rated racehorses in the world battling it out.

Other competitive horse racing betting events you might be interested in are:

Some Irish group three flat horse racing events are for specific age groups and weight allowance can be applied if 3yo horses are running against older.

In group three events fillies can also receive a weight allowance when running against colts or geldings.

And something to bear in mind is if you win a previous group 3 race you can carry a weight penalty if competing in another group two event.

Here are all the related articles to the Types of Horse Races 2024:

If you do choose to bet, please bet responsibly.