The Irish Champions Festival is the showcase of the Irish Flat season and betting markets will be popular with racing fans ahead of the event.
Now in its 13th year, this celebrated event is run over two days at two of Ireland’s leading racecourses, Leopardstown (12 September) and The Curragh (13 September).
Featuring prize money totalling over €5 million, this year’s race programme includes seven Group 1 races and the final Classic of the Irish Flat season.
With this level of prize money on offer, the weekend always attracts many of the world’s best racehorses, owners, trainers, and jockeys.
Leopardstown Day One Action
Day one of Irish Champions Festival kicks off at Leopardstown on the Saturday and features world class racing.
The action on the track is headlined by the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, one of the most prestigious races in the world. Alongside it, five thrilling Group races showcase the very best Irish and international flat horses.
Leopardstown Day One Prize Money
Saturday features a total prize fund of over €2.5 million across a nine-race card. It is highlighted by the newly upgraded Golden Fleece Stakes, bringing day one’s Group 1 tally to three.
- Irish Champion Stakes (G1) €1,250,000, winner: €712,500 (The weekend's richest race).
- Matron Stakes (G1) €400,000, winner: €235,000 (For fillies and mares).
- The Golden Fleece Stakes (G1) €400,000, winner: €235,000 (New Group 1 upgrade for 2026).
- Kilternan Stakes (G3) €100,000 (Distance: 1m 4f).
- Sovereign Path Premier Handicap €100,000 (Highly competitive sprint handicap).
Curragh Day Two Action
Day two of the Irish Champions Festival sees the participants move to the historic Curragh Racecourse.
The highlight of the Sunday is the Irish St. Leger, the fifth and final Irish Classic of the year. It headlines a top class card that features four Group 1 races and nearly €2.5 million in prize money, making it one of the richest race days on the Irish racing calendar.
Curragh Day Two Prize Money
Day two offers almost €2.5 million in total prize money and provides the Festival with four Group 1 races.
- Irish St Leger (G1) €500,000 (The final Classic of the Irish Flat season).
- Flying Five Stakes (G1) €400,000 (Minimum distance sprint).
- Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) €400,000 (Premier two-year-old fillies).
- Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) €400,000 (For future top-tier Classic contenders).
- Bold Lad Handicap €100,000 (High value handicap).
- Tattersalls Ireland Sovereigns Handicap (High value handicap).
Other Races Over The Irish Champions Weekend
The remaining lower-tier stakes and premier handicaps fill out the full 17-race weekend itinerary with minimum prize pots starting at €50,000 to €75,000 per race.
