Atrium Café
Ground floor, corner café in champions hall. Visit the Atrium Café for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The café serves sandwiches, tea & coffee and sweet treats.
Over 160 Years of Legends & Legacy
An Exhilarating Festival of Speed, Style and Spectacle!
Set in the heart of the stunning Curragh Racecourse, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival runs from Friday 26th June to Sunday 28th June 2026, offering a three-day extravaganza that attracts racing purists, fashion lovers and families alike.
Marking a legacy that extends over 160 years, the Irish Derby is a race that continues to stand as one of the most prestigious and thrilling in the world.
Join us for three days of thrilling racing, amazing style, and the best of live Irish music with The Tumbling Paddies, The Whistlin Donkeys, and much more!
Exceptional value weekend tickets ONLY €70 now on sale!
Thrilling Action On The Track
The Racing
Heart pounding action, the sound of hooves thundering past, the colourful silks and mesmerising horses. You can experience it all at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival! From the very special Corinthian Challenge Race in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys fund on Friday night to the spectacle of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday, this is a weekend of epic racing.
Scroll right for the thrilling racing schedule for each of the three days!
The Racing
Friday Evening
A fantastic summer race evening announcing the start of the exhilarating Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival!
The evening features the Corinthian Challenge race, a very special event in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund. Watch amateur riders race with passion and purpose, supporting a cause close to the hearts of the Irish racing community.
1633 Diageo Spirits Maiden 1705 Keadeen Hotel Maiden 1735 Silken Thomas and Lock 13 Handicap 1810 Schweppes Handicap 1845 O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Stayers Trophy 1920 McGuinness Maintenance Services Maiden 1955 Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby 2030 Corinthian Challenge in aid of Injured Jockeys Fund
The Racing
Saturday
Including feature races The Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1), Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2) and the legendary Ladies Derby.
1345 Barronstown Stud Maiden 1415 Airlie Stud Stakes G2 1445 Neville Homes Summer Fillies Handicap 1520 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes G3 1555 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes G1 1630 The Reserve at Killashee Ladies Derby 1705 Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes Benz Handicap 1735 Jo Browne Skincare Partner of The Curragh Maiden
The Racing
Sunday
Featuring the absolute pinnacle of the Irish Flat Racing Calendar – the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Nothing matches the thrill, the history and the spectacle associated with this epic race! A must visit day for the racing purist!
1310 Gain Equine Nutrition Maiden 1340 Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Premier Hdcp 1410 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Dash 1445 Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort Ragusa Handicap 1420 Dubai Duty Free International Stakes G3 1555 Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes 1635 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1 Classic) 1710 Dubai Duty Free Premier Handicap 1745 Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Premier Handicap
with O'DRISCOLL'S IRISH WHISKEY
AFTER PARTY!
Top class performances across the three days with unforgettable evenings of singing and dancing in Champions Hall on both Friday and Sunday following the thrilling action on the track.
As the sun sets on Friday night racing, enjoy live music with The Whistlin Donkeys in Champions Hall! Known for their unique blend of traditional Irish music and Celtic rock influences, The Whistlin Donkeys will get the Irish Derby weekend off to a thunderous start with their energetic live performance!
The Tumbling Paddies will bring what is an amazing weekend of racing and entertainment to a close on Sunday evening! Their energy-packed live shows, combined with standout original songs like Pretty Girl, Night on the Town, and their chart-topping hit The Way I Am (No.1 for 10 weeks), have earned them a loyal following worldwide. From Ireland to Dubai, Germany, Spain, and beyond, The Tumbling Paddies continue to captivate audiences with one of the most exciting live experiences around. This is your chance to see them at the Curragh!
Festival Fever!
Summer Socialising
Let’s hope the sun shines down on the beautiful Curragh racecourse. The flowers will be in full bloom and whilst there is lots of exciting action on the track, there’s also lovely things to see and do off the track! Stroll around, revel in the exciting atmosphere, enjoy our roving performers, relax over a cocktail or a coffee and enjoy days of summer socialising.
With thanks to
Dubai Duty Free
Long time supporters of the Curragh Racecourse, Dubai Duty Free (DDF), founded in 1983, has grown into one of the biggest travel retail operators in the world. Located at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Dubai Duty Free has grown to become one of the largest and most successful duty-free shopping operations in the world. DDF offers a wide range of products, including luxury goods, electronics, perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, watches, jewelry, confectionery, and tobacco, all at tax-free prices, making it an attractive shopping destination for international travelers.
Plan your Visit
Visiting the Curragh Racecourse
For full details of where to say locally, please visit where to stay.
For full details of travel to the racecourse, please visit how to get here.
Goffs Champagne Bar
Overlooking the parade ring, the Goffs Champagne Bar is open to all racegoers. Serving Moët & Chandon and serving a light tapas menu throughout the day.
Guineas Bar
Our Guineas Bar is located on the ground floor of Champions Hall, close to all the action.
Lilywhites Lounge
Open to all racegoers, Lilywhites Lounge, possibly the best bar in Irish Racing, offers stunning views of the racecourse in a stylish and comfortable setting.
Oaks Restaurant
Discover the charm of the Oaks Restaurant, located on the 2nd floor of the Curragh grandstand.
Orby’s by Lucy
Orby’s by Lucy serves delicious, fresh, artisan food and is located at the entrance to The Racecourse. This gorgeous café is open to all, 7 days a week.
Shoda Café
Public café, located in the bottom floor of the Queens room situated next to our Moyglare Kidszone overlooking the pre parade and parade ring. Serving excellent tea & coffee and homemade sandwiches and treats.
