Ireland prepares for a summer of racing festivals

As Ireland prepares for a summer of top-class racing, here is a guide to the various horse racing festivals taking place at racecourses in Ireland in summer 2022.

As horseracing continues to grow in popularity across the Emerald Isle, Ireland gears up for a summer of racing festivals.

From huge international events to local races, there is plenty to look forward to. So, clear your calendars and check out these exciting events going on in Ireland this summer.

The Curragh Irish Derby Festival – one of the biggest events in Ireland’s horseracing calendar

The Dubai Duty-Free Irish Derby Festival, featuring the Irish Derby with a prize of €427,500 for the winner, is a three-day festival starting on 24 June and ending on 26 June 2022.

Horseracing in Ireland continues to grow in popularity, which has led to the sport being represented in other areas of the entertainment industry. Horseracing is featured in video games, for example, the Phar Lap: Horse Racing Challenge.

The sport of kings is also a presence in iGaming in the form of slot games such as Royal Cashgot, a horse racing themed slot available to play on the casino at Paddy Power.

Clearly, the popularity of horse racing has contributed to the success of such innovative video and online casino games.

Horse Racing Ireland has arranged 390 race fixtures in 2022, but the season’s highlight takes place on Saturday, 25 June, with the Dubai Duty-Free Irish Derby.

The race is run over one mile and four furlongs, and last year was won by the Charlie Appleby trained Hurricane Lane with William Buick on board.

The Curragh also hosts the Juddmonte Irish Oaks for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies on Saturday, 16 July 2022. This was won last year by Ryan Moore on Snowfall trained by Aidan O’Brien.

The Curragh Racecourse has plenty to offer racegoers with a food court, the Derby Bar, and the Oaks Bar, which is a public champagne bar. This is one of Ireland’s racing festivals not to miss.

Galway Races Summer Festival – plenty for all to enjoy

The Curragh Irish Derby Festival is followed by the Galway Races Summer Festival 2022. The racing festival features 49 races over seven days from Monday, 25 to Sunday, 31 July.

The festival regularly attracts around 250,000 spectators each year, and the highlight of the meeting is the Galway Plate. Ladies’ Day takes place on Thursday with a Best Dressed Competition for 2022.

The festival has something for all racing fans with a mixture of national hunt and flat racing.

Galway racecourse will also feature the new Festival Village. Here, racegoers can enjoy the Hop House Bar, live bands, and DJs throughout the week. There is also a big screen to ensure that you don’t miss any of the races.

Killarney and Tramore August Festivals – one of Ireland’s most exciting racing festivals

The Killarney Autumn Racing Festival takes place from 21 August to 24 August 2022. It features 29 races with mixed cards of flat and national hunt racing. The festival also features Ladies’ Day with prizes on offer.

Meanwhile, the Tramore August Festival features four days of racing and events from 11 August to 14 August 2022. Alongside racing, there will be a BBQ evening, a style evening featuring fashion, and Ladies’ Day with prizes on offer.

So, the Curragh and Galway racecourses are the places to be this summer for fans of top-class racing festivals.

But there really is something for everyone with 390 fixtures in Ireland in 2022. This ensures that there is great racing to be seen all over the country this summer.