Each June, the rolling pastures of County Down come alive with the thunder of hooves and the energy of thousands of fans for one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic sporting events: the Down Royal Summer Festival.
Nestled just outside Lisburn, this two-day flat racing event at Down Royal Racecourse has become a cornerstone of the Irish racing calendar.
The festival this year runs from Friday 20th to Saturday 21st June, and once again promises to bring together some of the finest Irish-trained horses, top jockeys and an enthusiastic crowd from both sides of the border.
Down Royal, one of Ireland’s oldest tracks, is a right-handed galloping course measuring approximately one mile and seven furlongs, complete with a sweeping home turn and a long, steady run-in that tests stamina and precision.
Although it’s traditionally famed for National Hunt fare in the winter months, including the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase in November, this summer fixture showcases the very best of flat racing. And, with the Ulster Oaks and the Ulster Derby as headline events, it draws attention from trainers and punters alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned racing veteran, a casual punter or someone looking for a racing event to get stuck into, the 2025 edition of the Down Royal Summer Festival is not to be missed.
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Day One race breakdown – Friday 20th June
Day One of the summer festival serves as the perfect curtain-raiser to what promises to be a thrilling weekend of flat racing. The gates open at 2:30pm, giving racegoers plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere, grab a bite to eat, and place those all-important bets.
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The first race is scheduled for 4:00pm, and the action will roll through until the final race just before 8:00pm, under the lengthening evening light. Friday’s card features seven races, which are primarily focused on maiden and handicap events. These are races where sharp eyes and smart betting instincts can really pay off.
One of the fan favourites on Friday is the Down Royal Handicap, a middle-distance test that has produced several future festival contenders. The Premier Handicap event, which often features horses that are rated in the 90s, draws some of the most competitive fields of the evening. In 2024, the race was won by a neck in a dramatic finish, and early whispers suggest that there will be a similarly strong lineup in 2025.
There is a strong emphasis on younger talent on Friday. Keep an eye out for promising two-year-olds and lightly raced three-year-olds. Many trainers use this as a proving ground for horses that are just on the cusp of making a name for themselves on bigger stages.
For the fashion-conscious, there is the return of Ladies Day on the Saturday, with glamorous prizes for the best dressed racegoers.
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Day Two race breakdown – Saturday 21st June
Saturday is the Down Royal Summer Festival’s marquee day, and the one that draws the biggest crowds. With sunshine (hopefully), music, fashion and top-class racing, it’s one of the North’s true social and sporting highlights.
The headline attractions, without a doubt, are the Ulster Oaks and the Ulster Derby – two of the most prestigious flat races run in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Oaks, which is often run over one mile and three furlongs, is a listed race that’s restricted to three-year-old fillies. It’s a significant milestone for any young horse and offers a real litmus test for future Group race hopefuls. Trainers from across Ireland and the UK target this race as a marker for breeding and black-type glory.
Immediately following this race is the Ulster Derby, a much-loved event run over a longer trip – traditionally one mile and four furlongs. Open to three-year-old colts and geldings, the Derby carries prestige and a considerable prize fund, attracting some of the most promising middle-distance runners in training. Last year’s edition was a fierce contest, and the 2025 running promises to be no different, with a bumper field expected.
Aside from these two races, the Saturday card typically includes a high-grade handicap sprint, a juvenile maiden, and a closing fillies-only handicap that brings the curtain down on the weekend.
Notable Irish-trained and owned horses at Down Royal
One of the unique joys of the Down Royal Summer Festival is that despite being north of the border, it is very much embedded in the broader Irish racing ecosystem. As a result, Irish-trained and Irish-owned horses dominate the entries.
Among the names circulating for 2025 are Longhouse Poet, Canal End and Burrows Saint – horses that are well-known to Irish racing fans.
Longhouse Poet, trained by Martin Brassil, is better known for his National Hunt exploits, including a gritty run in the Irish Grand National. While he may not line up in the flat events at Down Royal, his name has become synonymous with big-race entries, and there’s chatter of a summer spin here in one of the staying handicaps to maintain fitness ahead of the autumn jump season.
Canal End is a progressive middle-distance horse from the Aidan O’Brien yard and is one to really keep an eye on. Having shown real promise in three-year-old handicaps this spring, Down Royal could be the ideal test ahead of a potential tilt at bigger targets later in the season. The Ulster Derby seems a logical stepping stone.
Burrows Saint, the seasoned campaigner from Willie Mullins’ yard, is another name that racing fans will instantly recognise. Although he’s now advancing in years, he remains a versatile and game performer and could be aimed at one of the longer staying handicaps if the conditions are favourable.
Local yards in Northern Ireland, such as those of Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott, also tend to send a few entries to this meeting, especially given the profile and competitive prize money.
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Predictions for the Down Royal Summer Festival
As with any summer festival, predicting winners comes down to a careful balance of form, ground conditions and betting value. And for Irish punters, Tonybet is offering an impressive array of markets and ante-post odds for the 2025 Down Royal Summer Festival.
For the Ulster Derby, Canal End has been installed as joint-favourite at 3/1, reflecting both strong early season form and favourable weight conditions. Also prominent in the market is Ocean Reign, a once-raced colt by Sea The Stars, backed into 4/1 after a stunning debut win at the Curragh.
In the sprint handicap on Saturday, Gunmetal Grey, a consistent five-furlong specialist, has opened at 6/1, and offers real value, particularly if the ground is quick.
Among the maidens and handicaps on Friday, the focus will be on spotting promising juveniles. Serene Comet, a lightly raced filly from the Joseph O’Brien camp, looks to be a smart pick in the early race and is currently priced around 5/1.
It’s always wise to keep an eye on late market movements, particularly in these competitive fields. Horses backed in late at Down Royal often run to form, making it one of the sharper betting environments in the Irish racing scene.
To stay ahead of the odds, festival-goers and punters can keep up to date with real-time betting updates, enhanced odds and race previews over at Tonybet, which will be covering the event in full across the two days.
