The roar at Leopardstown on Saturday is only the beginning. Less than 24 hours later, the Irish Champions Festival shifts west to the Curragh for another dazzling day of flat racing at its very best.
If Day 1 offers the glamour of the Matron Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes, Day 2 brings the grit, stamina and unpredictability of the Irish St Leger, alongside prestigious juvenile contests and high-class sprinting action.
On Sunday 14th September, racing fans will converge on Ireland’s home of flat racing to witness a festival finale brimming with international challengers, Irish champions and unforgettable finishes.
Check out the odds for the Irish Champions Festival here.
Race day schedule
Day 2 at the Curragh begins with the gates opening at 11:00am, giving racegoers ample time to soak in the festival atmosphere before the first race at 1:30pm. The card features eight unmissable contests, blending Group 1 showcases with handicaps and juvenile highlights.
While times remain subject to change, the current schedule sets a thrilling pace. Let’s dive in:
1:30pm – Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Bold Lad’ Sprint Premier Handicap
The curtain-raiser is fast and furious, featuring a large field where anything can happen. Sprint handicaps at the Curragh are renowned for producing surprise winners, often from horses flying under the radar.
Early market moves are worth monitoring, as trainers such as Johnny Murtagh and Adrian Murray have historically targeted these contests with precision, occasionally upending favourites. For fans, it’s a high-energy opener that sets the tone for the day.
2:05pm – Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes
Unique among the day’s contests, this juvenile race is restricted to horses sold through public auctions. Many graduates have gone on to compete successfully at Group level, making it a fascinating contest for both punters and bloodstock observers. It’s a race that rewards attention to detail: early speed, adaptability and finishing power all play pivotal roles. Betting markets can shift rapidly, especially when well-backed youngsters display obvious potential during the warm-up or parade.
2:40pm – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1)
The Moyglare Stud Stakes is Ireland’s premier contest for two-year-old fillies. Over the decades, it has launched the careers of some of the finest young mares in the sport, with winners often going on to dominate Classic races such as the 1,000 Guineas or the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
British and French challengers regularly travel across the Irish Sea, adding international intrigue. This year, Ballydoyle has strong entries, but historically, outsiders have pulled off dramatic upsets, making the betting market highly fluid. Punters should watch jockey choices and track position closely, as tactical decisions often decide the winner.
3:15pm – The Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes (Group 1)
Pure speed defines this five-furlong sprint, where world-class sprinters collide in a fast-paced showdown. Fractions of a second can separate the winner from the fifth-placed finisher, and international competitors regularly make their mark, heightening the stakes.
Past champions such as Sole Power and Fairyland have left indelible memories, and the race is always one to watch for punters chasing high-adrenaline action. Track conditions and the draw can be decisive, and a well-timed challenge from the front can make the difference between glory and heartbreak.
3:50pm – Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Group 1)
The National Stakes is Ireland’s premier two-year-old colts’ race and a key barometer for next year’s Classic scene. Ballydoyle dominance is expected, but Ireland and Britain produce challengers capable of shocking the market.
Past winners have included horses that later won Guineas or Derby titles, making it a race with far-reaching implications. Speed, stamina and jockey awareness over the final furlong are crucial, and punters often study previous runs closely to identify potential value bets.
4:25pm – Comer Group International Irish St Leger (Group 1)
The St Leger is the festival’s crown jewel. Covering one mile six furlongs, it tests stamina and tactical acumen to the fullest. Traditionally, it attracts stayers and dual-purpose horses capable of running over both flat and jumps distances.
First run in 1915, the race has a rich history, with legends such as Yeats, Vinnie Roe, and Order of St George among its winners. Trainers carefully plot their approach, with jockeys balancing pace and positioning, knowing that a single misstep can cost victory. For punters, staying form, ground conditions and recent prep work are essential when assessing odds.
5:00pm – Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes (Group 2)
The Blandford Stakes is a middle-distance contest for fillies and mares over approximately a mile and a quarter. Often, horses moving up in distance from a mile or dropping back from longer races find that the race’s rhythm suits them perfectly. Historically, it’s a proving ground for fillies targeting Group 1 autumn campaigns. Punters often study seasonal form and jockey choices carefully, as subtle positional advantages can be the difference between victory and disappointment.
5:35pm – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Northfields Premier Handicap
Another high-class handicap, this race provides opportunities for shrewd punters. Trainers such as Murtagh and Murray frequently use these contests to spring surprises, often catching the market off guard. Weight allocation, recent form and ground preference are crucial. Observing how the market reacts to late declarations and jockey bookings can highlight potential value runners.
This schedule balances handicaps, juvenile showcases and elite Group 1 contests, ensuring that from first flag to final furlong, Sunday offers relentless excitement for punters and fans alike.
Check out the racecards and betting odds here.
Irish horse owners and trainers
The Curragh stage brings Ireland’s powerhouse owners and trainers back into sharp focus. Susan Magnier, who is central to Coolmore Stud’s global reach, continues to shape the weekend with a string of high-class entries. Her partnership with Aidan O’Brien remains the axis of Irish flat racing, with Ballydoyle-trained horses regularly filling the top spots in Day 2’s feature races.
Aidan O’Brien himself is expected to field multiple big names across the Irish St Leger and National Stakes while also linking closely with owners Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor. Ballydoyle’s ability to dominate both juvenile and staying divisions makes them a focal point for Sunday’s card.
Ger Lyons, meanwhile, provides balance as one of Ireland’s most consistent trainers. His reputation for producing classy two-year-olds makes him a contender in the National Stakes, where his record against Ballydoyle is especially respected. Johnny Murtagh thrives in handicaps, and Day 2 offers him several opportunities to land a blow in the Bold Lad Sprint or the Northfields Handicap. His skill in targeting big-field handicaps has made him a regular feature on Curragh festival days.
Adrian Murray remains a name on the rise. With a strong record at the Curragh, his horses often perform above market expectation, especially in competitive handicaps and sprint divisions. His approach to spacing out runners for peak performances makes his entries worth tracking closely.
Willie Mullins, while more renowned for jumps racing, has proven himself to be an astute flat operator, particularly in staying contests. His dual-purpose horses, such as Absurde, inject added intrigue into the Irish St Leger, where stamina is paramount.
Collectively, these Irish names ensure that Day 2 is more than just a contest of speed and stamina – it is a showcase of tactical nous, careful preparation, and the deep bench strength of Irish racing’s owner-trainer partnerships.
Top horses to watch
The Curragh card is brimming with talent. The Irish St Leger is the festival’s traditional showpiece, and this year’s edition features a blend of established stars and ambitious challengers. Aidan O’Brien’s Illinois and Jan Brueghel spearhead Ballydoyle’s challenge, joined by Willie Mullins’ versatile Absurde, who brings both flat and jumps experience to the table.
Adding an international flavour are Christophe Ferland’s Double Major, winner of the Prix Royal-Oak, and William Haggas’ Dubai Honour, fresh from Group 1 glory in Sydney earlier this year.
The Moyglare Stud Stakes shines a light on the best juvenile fillies, with Ireland and Britain set to clash. Ballydoyle is again strong here, but British raiders have often excelled, making the likes of Ed Walker’s Almaqam a fascinating entry. The race often serves as a stepping stone to Classic success, ensuring that its importance stretches far beyond festival week.
The Flying Five Stakes delivers pure adrenaline over five furlongs, where split-second decisions can define victory. Owen Burrows’ Anmaat provides depth to the sprinting division, though Aidan O’Brien and Ger Lyons are both expected to saddle lively contenders with proven Group form.
The National Stakes, meanwhile, has long been a launchpad for future Classic winners. Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa has already proven his credentials as a dual Group 1 scorer, while rivals such as Arabian Crown (Charlie Appleby) and Al Qareem (Karl Burke) are set to test Ballydoyle’s stranglehold on the race. Emerging local talents could also play spoiler, with punters advised to keep an eye on the betting swings.
Across all contests, home favourites such as Gerry Keane’s Crystal Black add depth to an already mouthwatering card. With star names spread across multiple races, Day 2 ensures that the narrative remains unpredictable right up to the wire.
Our expert predictions
The diversity of Sunday’s card makes it a playground for punters – but also a challenge for picking winners.
The Irish St Leger is wide open. Ballydoyle’s stamina in Illinois and Jan Brueghel meets Mullins’ dual-purpose Absurde and international quality from Double Major and Dubai Honour. Punters should watch market movements on Tonybet to spot where confidence lies.
The Moyglare Stud Stakes is always a juvenile puzzle. Fillies can improve rapidly, making late betting swings crucial. The Flying Five Stakes requires split-second observation, with outsiders often providing generous returns.
In the National Stakes, Al Riffa is hard to oppose, but youthful rivals such as Arabian Crown could upset expectations. Handicaps such as the Bold Lad Sprint and Northfields Premier Handicap offer potential value for informed bettors.
Sunday at the Curragh blends knowledge, patience and boldness. By combining insight into form, jockey strategy and live Tonybet odds, punters can navigate the festival with confidence, whether backing favourites or spotting outsiders primed for a festival-defining performance.
Find out the odds on Irish Champions Festival Day 1 and 2 right at Tonybet.
