Irish Group 2 Horse Races

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Irish Group 2 races are fiercely run horse racing events by some of the best racehorses in Ireland.

Irish Group 2 horse races are one tier off the highest-rated horse racing events in Ireland. The group two 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 best-rated horse racing trainers and jockeys fight out in group two races throughout the year in Ireland.

In our Irish group two horse racing guide, we will list everything you need to know about the biggest and best group 2 horse races in Ireland.

What does Group 2 mean in horse racing?

The term Group 2 in horse racing is used for the second-highest tier of horse races in the world.

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

The best horse racing thoroughbreds need to achieve an official rating of 110 plus to compete in the quality group two races.

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

All Irish Group Two Horse Races

Here is a list of all the group 2 races in Ireland:

Race NameRacecourseDistanceAgeMonth
Mooresbridge StakesCurragh1m 2f4yo+May
Ridgewood Pearl StakesCurragh1m4yo+ fMay
Railway StakesCurragh6f2yoJune
Balanchine StakesCurragh6f2yo fJune
Curragh CupCurragh1m 6f3yo+June
Sapphire StakesCurragh5f3yo+June
Kilboy Estate StakesCurragh1m 1f3yo+ fJuly
Minstrel StakesCurragh7f3yo+July
Debutante StakesCurragh7f2yo fAugust
Futurity StakesCurragh7f2yoAugust
Clipper Boomerang MileLeopardstown1m3yo+September
Blandford StakesCurragh1m 2f3yo+ fSeptember
Beresford StakesCurragh1m2yoSept

Guide To All Irish Group Two Horse Races

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

Mooresbridge Stakes

The Mooresbridge Stakes is a Group Two horse race run at Curragh Racecourse over a 1-mile 2 furlongs distance taking place at the start of the Flat season in May.

Mooresbridge Stakes

The race is open to horses aged four years old and older and attracts a competitive field at the first major Group Two prize.

Ridgewood Pearl Stakes

The Ridgewood Pearl Stakes, also known as the Lanwades Stud Stakes, is a Group 2 flat horse event held in Ireland for four-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Ridgewood Pearl Stakes

It takes held every year in May in the Curragh over a distance of one mile.

Railway Stakes

The Railway Stakes, held at Ascot Racecourse in Perth in late November, is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under handicap circumstances over a distance of 1600 metres.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Railway Stakes Group 2 racing event in Ireland.

Balanchine Stakes

The Balanchine Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse event held in Ireland for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies.

Balanchine Stakes

It is held annually at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) and takes place in late June or early July.

Curragh Cup

The Curragh Cup is a Group 2 flat horse event held in Ireland for thoroughbred horses aged three and higher.

Curragh Cup

It is held annually at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs and takes place in late June or early July.

Sapphire Stakes

The Sapphire Stakes is an Irish Group 2 flat horse event for thoroughbreds aged three and up. It is held at the Curragh over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) and takes place every year in July.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Sapphire Stakes Group 2 racing event in Ireland.

Kilboy Estate Stakes

The Kilboy Estate Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Kilboy Estate Stakes

In July, it is run at the Curragh over a course of 1 mile and 1 furlong (1,811 metres).

Minstrel Stakes

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

Minstrel Stakes

It takes held every year in July at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs.

Debutante Stakes

The Debutante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse event for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies held in Ireland.

Debutante Stakes

It is held at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) and takes place every year in August.

Futurity Stakes

The Futurity Stakes is a two-year-old thoroughbred flat horse event held in Ireland. The race is held every year in August at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres).

For more information, check out our full guide to the Futurity Stakes Group 2 race in Ireland.

Clipper Boomerang Mile

The Clipper Boomerang Mile is a Group 2 flat horse event for horses aged 3 and over. The fixture is held every September at Leopardstown with a distance of 1 mile.

For more information, check out our full guide to the Clipper Boomerang Mile Group 2 race in Ireland.

Blandford Stakes

The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse event in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies and mares.

Blandford Stakes

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

Beresford Stakes

The Beresford Stakes is a two-year-old thoroughbred flat horse event held in Ireland.

Beresford Stakes

It takes place every year in September or October at the Curragh over a mile course.

Summary

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

Punters enjoy placing bets on the Irish Group Two 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 two flat horse racing events are for specific age groups and weight allowance can be applied if 3yo horses are running against older.

In group two 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 2 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.