Roscommon Racecourse

Welcome to our guide to Roscommon Racecourse.

Roscommon Racecourse, located in the midlands of Ireland, has been home to horse racing since 1885 and remains a popular venue for both flat and jumps racing. It has enjoyed several rounds of investment in facility improvements in recent years and regularly attracts sell-out crowds to its events from May to September each year.

We explore this Irish racecourse in detail, examining its history, a guide to the track, hotel recommendations, fixtures, travel information, betting guides, and even the weather.

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Roscommon, check out our complete guide to Roscommon Racecourse tips.

Find out more about Roscommon Racecourse:

Overview of Roscommon Races

Both a flat and jumps track, Roscommon Racecourse sees action from May to September with a calendar of nine events.

The track at Roscommon Racecourse is right-handed; oval for flat racing and rectangular for National Hunt.

Roscommon Racecourse has benefited from considerable investment in the last few years. Improvements and upgrades to the facilities at the course include new stables, new bars and hospitality amenities and new entrance turnstiles. The most recent refurbishment has seen the weighing room entirely demolished and replaced, with works completed in 2019.

There are three bars and various hospitality areas throughout the venue, as well as an impressive private area for Owners and Trainers, fully wheelchair accessible.

Roscommon Racecourse has 98 stables and 2 veterinary stables alongside 10 wash bays for grooms to wash down horses after races.

The entire Stable Yard was resurfaced in 2008, and the amenities it offers are very competitive and highly favoured amongst the equestrian community.

Roscommon Racing Tips

Roscommon Racecourse History

Roscommon Racecourse can boast a documented history of horse racing dating back to 1837, when the British Military held events nearby to their local base.

Racing officially began at the site in 1885, but was paused between 1936 and 1948 due to World War II.

When it resumed, events continued to gain momentum, and the calendar has steadily grown to the nine-race level it has today.

Throughout the years, Roscommon Racecourse has hosted many prestigious horses as they prepare to make a name for themselves.

In 2011, Wrote managed third at Roscommon but within a year had claimed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs.

In 2008, again made her debut at Roscommon before going on to win the Moyglare Grade 1 race and to become the country’s highest rated 2-year-old filly, winning the Irish 1000 Guineas the year after.

Other big names include Mouramara, who went on to win the Prix Royallieu just two meetings later, and Panama Hat, who won the Lenebane Stakes, came second in the American St Leger Grade 1 race.

Roscommon Racecourse Map

There are two courses at Roscommon, the flat and the national course.

Roscommon Flat Course

Below is a map of the Roscommon flat course:

Measuring approximately a mile and a quarter in extent, the run-in is three and a half furlongs, and the course is generally flat, although the home straight is a little undulating.

The turns on the track are sharp but essentially fair. The course favours a handier horse,

Roscommon Jumps Track

Below is a map of the Roscommon national track:

For jumps racing, there are five easy fences to a circuit with a run-in of just over 200 yards.

Main Races and Events at Roscommon Racecourse

The highlight of the racing calendar at Roscommon Racecourse is the National Hunt Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novice Chase, held every September. Open to horses aged four years or over, it is run over two and a half miles, and often dominated by trainer Henry de Bromhead, who has won four times.

Roscommon Racecourse Address

The ways to get to Roscommon Racecourse are:

Roscommon Racecourse
Carrownabrickna
Lenebane
County Roscommon
F42 V052
Ireland

How To Get To Roscommon Racecourse

The ways to get to Roscommon racecourse are:

• By road – Roscommon Racecourse is located less than 1km north-west of Roscommon town centre, and with free parking on-site, is easily accessed by road. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Galway, 3 hours from Cork, 2 hours from Dublin and 3 hours from Belfast.
• By bus – bus services running past the racecourse include the 433 from Galway and the 440 from Westport.
• By train – Roscommon Town train station is about 2km away and is served by regular services on the Dublin to Westport line.
• By air – the nearest airport is Ireland West Airport, Knock, about an hour away, with plenty of routes serving the UK and further afield.

Hotels near Roscommon Racecourse

There are a few overnight accommodation options in Roscommon town centre. Gleeson’s Roscommon on Market Square is a three-star hotel in a 19th-century townhouse, Hannon’s Hotel is a straightforward budget option, the Abbey Hotel is a luxury turreted country house spa hotel, and Armcashel is a laidback family-run B&B.

A little further afield in the small towns and villages surrounding Roscommon, there are plenty of hotels and accommodation choices for those visiting. A range of hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and holiday homes can be found around Athlone, Ballinasloe, Banagher, Eyrecourt, Killtoon, and Wineport. Check out these great Roscommon hotel deals:

Betting Shops Local to Roscommon Racecourse

There are several choices for betting on-site at Roscommon Racecourse.

There’s a whole Tote building for those who fancy a flutter, with both kiosks and automated betting machines, and room for up to 60 independent bookmakers trackside.

A branch of Boylesports can also be found on-site at the venue.

Free WiFi is available to all visitors at Roscommon Racecourse, and so those wishing to bet online can do so using their own devices during their stay.

Roscommon town centre has a single branch of BoyleSports, but there are also other branches in surrounding towns. A branch of BoyleSports can also be found in nearby Ballaghadereen, as well as a branch of BoyleSports and one of Paddy Power in Carrick-on-Shannon.

The County of Roscommon is relatively rural, and mobile signal can be patchy when travelling through this area. Visitors are therefore advised that if they prefer to bet online, they should do so when they have a decent WiFi connection, rather than placing their bet on the move.

Other Events at Roscommon Racecourse

In the Roscommon Racecourse’s flat racing schedule, the Listed Lenebane Stakes is extremely popular, not least because Panama Hat won in 2015 and attracted lots of attention to the event! The Lenebane Stakes are run every July over one mile, three furlongs and 175 yards, and take place on Ladies Day every July.

While Roscommon Racecourse is a popular venue for both experienced and novice racegoers, it is often possible to buy tickets on the door for last-minute race events – but it is always recommended to phone ahead to check for availability.

Summary of Roscommon Racecourse

Roscommon is a busy and popular racecourse, hosting racing throughout the year over jumps and on the flat.

The track has good facilities and is frequented by locals, racing fans and families.

If you are looking for a trip to the races at any time of year, Roscommon could be the one for you!