News

The Curragh will launch the new 2026 flat season this Sunday 15th March with a packed programme of eight races, featuring the Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire, as part of their St Patrick’s Festival Race Day. The €100,000 feature has attracted 30 entries following this morning’s entry stage, including Curragh specialist Big Gossey who is set to carry top weight. The Charles O’Brien trained performer will be running at the County Kildare track for the 50th time and has won eight times. Other notable contenders include Norwalk Havoc, Mississippi River, Crypto Force, Highbury See See, 2025 Irish Lincolnshire winer Olandi and Whip Cracker, trained in Britain by Richard Hughes.

Nua Healthcare Services, is proud to return as a sponsor of the St. Patrick’s Festival Family Race Day at The Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, March 15th, 2026. This much-anticipated event marks the opening of the 2026 flat racing season. Nua Healthcare Services provides community-based residential services, specialist mental health services and supported living services for children and adults with complex needs across Ireland. As part of its sponsorship, Nua Healthcare Services is partnering with Mental Health Matters to officially launch the 2026 National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign.

The Curragh is delighted to welcome back Capital Stud as sponsor of the opening race of the season on Sunday, 15th March. The Topgear Standing at Capital Stud Maiden for two-year-olds will showcase their exciting new stallion, Topgear, a Group-winning son of the late Wootton Bassett, who retired to stud this year.

The remarkable legacy of Pat Smullen continues to inspire hope and progress in the fight against cancer. The 2025 Pat Smullen Race Day and the Curragh to Curragh Charity Cycle have raised an outstanding €351,631 for Cancer Trials Ireland, bringing the total funds generated since the initiative began in 2022 to over €1.2 million. This exceptional support has been instrumental in advancing life-saving cancer research and treatment development through Cancer Trials Ireland.

The curtain came down on another great season at the Curragh on Sunday 2nd November with a celebration of the people who made the 2025 season so special. Among the highlights were the Leading Training and Riding Performance Awards, voted for by the racing public. This year’s honours went to trainer Michael Grassick and apprentice jockey Jack Cleary, who each made a big impact at the Curragh this season.

The 2025 flat racing season draws to a close this Sunday. The competitive programme will feature 135 runners across all eight races. The Comer Group International Loughbrown Stakes is the final feature race with the Group 3 contest attracting ten runners including Uxmal, Enfranchise, Island Hopping and Chally Chute (pictured).