Longines Irish Champions Weekend is recognised as one of the leading international racing festivals and the ninth renewal boasts a strong programme of races.
Day two at the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday September 11, includes the final Classic of the Irish Flat season - the Comer Group International Irish St Leger along with the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Flying Five and two of the best juvenile races of the year, the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes leading the way at the County Kildare racecourse.
Off the track, the entertainment schedule promises to be equally exciting. Singing sensation Allie Sherlock (17), who has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Britain’s Got Talent will headline at the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday September 11. The singer-songwriter from Cork has over five million followers on her YouTube channel.
The Newbridge Gospel Choir, the Artane Band and Nitetrain are also confirmed as supporting acts.
Junior racegoers are promised an epic day out in the Moyglare Kids Zone where they can enjoy an assortment of free activities including the wooly mobile farm, magic shows, meet and greet stilt walkers, face painting, cartoon characters, miniature electric land train, a VR simulator and lots more. 2022 marks Moyglare Stud’s 60th anniversary in Ireland and the 50th year sponsoring the Moyglare Stud Stakes. The Swiss-owned stud will be distributing swiss chocolates to all racegoers to celebrate these special milestones.
To celebrate the best of Irish talent, the Curragh will host the Longines Irish Champions Weekend young designer award final. Stylist Courtney Smith, a representative from Longines and Evoke.ie will pick the overall winner from three aspiring Irish designer finalists who created and showcased a design that portrays ‘Contemporary Race Day Elegance’. In addition, stylish racegoers will be rewarded with prizes courtesy of luxury fragrance brand Molton Brown.
In association with Treo Eile, racegoers will have the unique opportunity to meet some of their equine heroes. The parade of champions will take place during the afternoon with a star-studded line-up featuring dual Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll, multiple grade one winner Douvan, Rite of Passage winner of the 2010 Ascot Gold Cup, 2017 Aintree Grand National hero One For Arthur, 2012 Irish St Leger winner Royal Diamond and General Principle, 2018 winner of the Irish Grand National and recent racehorse to riding horse winner at the Dublin Horse Show. Nine-time winner Alfredo Arcana and Sea The Lion will also parade.
The Thoroughbred Trail will return for the first time since 2019 and is a unique way to get behind the scenes in racing and learn more about the sport. On Sunday morning, racegoers can join one of three trails: Curragh racing heritage, Curragh legends or behind the scenes at Kildangan Stud.
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of The Curragh Racecourse, commented: “We are all looking forward to a thrilling renewal of Longines Irish Champions weekend and to welcoming everyone to the Curragh for day two on Sunday September 11. The Curragh will host four Group One races, including the final Irish Classic of the season - the Comer Group International Irish St Leger. Together, with Leopardstown, we will see the crème de la crème of European runners and riders descending on both tracks over the course of the weekend. Thanks to the support of Moyglare Stud, we will have a fabulous line-up of entertainment to accompany the racing. We have been building up to this day throughout the season and I have no doubt it will be a resounding success for both tracks.”
Tickets
General Admission
Advance tickets
Adult: €35
OAP/ Student: €25
Under 18s go free
Family: €50 which admits two adults and up to three children
Weekend: €60
Curragh bundle: €40 includes admission, race card, BBQ voucher, €10 bet
Gate/ Walk up prices
Adult: €40
OAP/ Student: €25
The Thoroughbred Trails cost €50 per person to include admission to the races and must be purchased in advance. Trails now available at www.curragh.ie