Irish Group 1 Horse Races

James Dooley avatar

Written By:

Updated:

Irish group 1 races are a chance for the best flat racehorses to compete at the highest level in Ireland.

Irish Group One Horse Races are the highest level a racehorse can run in on the racing calendar in Ireland. The group 1 horse racing events are a test of class with all racehorses running off level weights unless receiving weight allowance for a 3yo racing against older horses.

The top-rated trainers and jockeys fight out on the biggest stages throughout the year in Ireland.

But what are the most famous group one races in Ireland?

Are all the historical classic races group one horse racing events?

In our group one horse racing guide, we will list everything you need to know about the biggest and best Irish group 1 horse races.

What does Group 1 mean in horse racing?

The term Group 1 in horse racing is used for the highest level of horse races in the world.

The best horse racing thoroughbreds need to achieve an official rating of 115 plus to compete in the biggest group one races.

As the G1 is the highest grade of thoroughbred racing it attracts the most prize money and the best horses in the world will travel to compete in these competitive events.

All Irish Group One Horse Races

Here is a list of all the Irish group 1 races in Ireland:

Race NameRacecourseDistanceAgeMonth
Irish 2,000 GuineasCurragh1m3yo c&fMay
Tattersalls Gold CupCurragh1m 2f 110y4yo+May
Irish 1,000 GuineasCurragh1m3yo fMay
Pretty Polly StakesCurragh1m 2f3yo+ fJune
Irish DerbyCurragh1m 4f3yo c&fJune
Irish OaksCurragh1m 4f3yo fJuly
Phoenix StakesCurragh6f2yo c&fJuly / Aug
Matron StakesLeopardstown1m3yo+ fSeptember
Irish Champion StakesLeopardstown1m 2f3yo+September
Moyglare Stud StakesCurragh7f2yo fSeptember
Vincent O’Brien National StakesCurragh7f2yo c&fSeptember
Irish St. LegerCurragh1m 6f3yo+September
Flying Five StakesCurragh5f3yo+September

Guide To All Irish Group One Horse Races

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

Irish 2,000 Guineas

The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group One horse race run at the Curragh Racecourse over a 1-mile distance taking place at the start of the Flat season in May. The race is open to horses aged three years old and is the first G1 event in Ireland of the season.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Irish 2,000 Guineas group one event.

Tattersalls Gold Cup

The Tattersalls Gold Cup is an Irish Group 1 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged four and up. It is held at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs, and 110 yards, and it takes place every year in May.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Tattersalls Gold Cup group one fixture.

Irish 1,000 Guineas

The Irish 1,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies held in Ireland. It takes place every year in May at the Curragh over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Irish 1,000 Guineas group one event.

Pretty Polly Stakes

The Pretty Polly Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Pretty Polly Stakes Ireland

It is held annually at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs and takes place in late June or early July.

Irish Derby

The Irish Derby is an Irish Group 1 flat horse race for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is held annually at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs and takes place in late June or early July.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Irish Derby group one event.

Irish Oaks

The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse event for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies held in Ireland. It takes place at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs and is held every year in July. It is Ireland’s version of the famed English race The Oaks.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Irish Oaks group one event.

Phoenix Stakes

In Ireland, the Phoenix Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It takes held every year in August at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Phoenix Stakes group one racing event.

Matron Stakes

The Matron Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares. It is held every year in September at Leopardstown over a distance of one mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Matron Stakes group one racing fixture.

Irish Champion Stakes

The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse event held in Ireland each year for horses aged three and up. It is held every year in September at Leopardstown over a course of 1 mile and 2 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Irish Champion Stakes group one fixture.

Moyglare Stud Stakes

The Moyglare Stud Stakes is an Irish Group 1 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It takes place every year in late August or early September at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Moyglare Stud Stakes group one race.

Vincent O’Brien National Stakes

The Vincent O’Brien National Stakes is an Irish Group 1 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. Every year in September, it is held at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes group one race.

Irish St. Leger

The Irish St Leger is a Group 1 flat horse event held in Ireland for thoroughbred horses aged three and higher. It is held at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs and takes place every year in September. It is Ireland’s version of the famous St Leger Stakes in England.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Irish St Leger group one race.

Flying Five Stakes

The Flying Five Stakes is an Irish Group 1 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up. It takes place every year in September at the Curragh over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres), and it is held during Irish Champions Weekend.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Flying Five Stakes group one listed event.

Summary

Punters enjoy placing bets on the Irish Group One events because it is the best racehorses in the world battling it out.

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

Horse racing can be a little daunting for newcomers to understand the classes, race types and terminologies but the Group One event in Ireland is top of the pile.

Only the best horses with the highest official ratings can compete in the group one races and it is amazing for the sport to see the greatest horses challenge each other.

You may also want to check out our guide to all the UK Group One Horse Racing Events.

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

If you do choose to bet, please bet responsibly.