Four of the biggest days in Ireland’s horseracing calendar take place at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.
Not only is it a significant festival in its own right, this post-yuletide gathering is traditionally regarded as being a major trialling ground for the big spring meetings at Cheltenham, Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
For the past few months, leading Irish trainers have been preparing their charges for a week where reputations can be made, enhanced and, in some cases, even lost.
Even those with no more than a passing interest in jump racing will be familiar with names such as Istabraq, Danoli, Moscow Flyer and Limestone Lad. All four of those superstars of the jumping game were regular competitors and winners at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival during their careers.
Any horse with genuine aspirations of being the best in its respective division has a chance to stake their claim at this meeting. With racing taking place at a time of year when most people are on holidays, and with RTÉ providing daily coverage, the sport is in the shop window for those four days.
Cheltenham prospects
Speaking ahead of the festival, Grand National-winning trainer Ted Walsh said: “It’s tradition to go to Leopardstown at Christmas. The day after Christmas Day, if you are a racing person in the south of the country, you go to Limerick.
If you are up around Dublin and that part of the country, you would have grown up going to Leopardstown at Christmas. It’s the same as you would go to Fairyhouse on Easter Monday (Irish Grand National).”
Victory or defeat at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival often has a big bearing on a horse’s Cheltenham prospects.
Walsh believes that it is important for the leading fancies to show up well: “I’d say that it’s very important (to run well). Rarely do the good horses get beaten, or at least get beaten very far (at Leopardstown). Leopardstown is a great track and the Christmas Festival is a showcase for the top horses. There is only about five weeks from there to the Dublin Racing Festival, and another five weeks or so to Cheltenham.”
With regard to which horses or races he is most looking forward to over the week, Walsh said: “Willie’s (Mullins) horse that won at Navan (Kopek Des Bordes) clashing with Romeo Coolio in the Grade 1 two-mile novice chase should be a great race. I am really looking forward to that one.
Ted Walsh: "The Christmas Festival is a great showcase for the top horses." \ Healy Racing
“The Paddy Power (Handicap Chase) is always one to watch, even though it is a handicap. The Grade 1 three-mile chase (Savills Chase) is a good indicator of what to expect at Cheltenham. The form of that race usually stands up in the Gold Cup. We have been treated to some great performances from Galopin Des Champs over the last few years. It’s a race that never disappoints.”
Names to note
The 2025 Leopardstown Christmas Festival kicks off on Friday 26 December and it is likely to see the aforementioned Kopek Des Bordes make his second start over fences in the featured Grade 1 Racing Post Chase.
A winner over hurdles on the corresponding card last year, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding went on to score impressively at Cheltenham. Having made the perfect start to his chasing career at Navan last month, the five-year-old steps up in class.
Day two could see the reappearance of champion chaser Marine Nationale in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Chase. His trainer, Barry Connell, lives locally and always likes to have a winner at this meeting. The leading novices clash in the second Grade 1 on the card, the Paddy Power Future Champions Hurdle.
Savills Chase day on Sunday 28 December could see Galopin Des Champs bid for a third successive win in the feature. Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin would be a serious danger if also taking up this engagement. Grey Dawning, who recently landed the Betfair Chase at Haydock, is an intriguing entry for British trainer Dan Skelton.
A total of 62,748 racegoers enjoyed the 2024 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. \ Healy Racing
Stayers’ Hurdle winner Bob Olinger, who finished second at this meeting last year, may bid to go one better in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle. Teahupoo and Ballyburn, who finished first and second in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse recently, could also run in this race.
The fourth and final day on Monday 29 December features the Grade 1 December Hurdle. In the absence of previous dual winner State Man, his stablemate Lossiemouth looks well placed to give Willie Mullins another success in the race.
Dublin’s post-Christmas party
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival has always had something of a reputation as an important social occasion.
Traditionally drawing some of the largest crowds of any Irish race meeting throughout the year, it is renowned as a post-Christmas gathering for inhabitants of the capital. Returning year after year, both racing and non-racing followers mingle in the racecourse enclosures, bars, restaurants and in the grandstand.
St Stephen’s Day attracts thousands of racegoers longing for a bit of fresh air and live sport following the Christmas festivities. The various bars throughout the complex screen live Premiership football matches and the racing from Kempton too, as well as the action as it unfolds on the home track.
With Tote facilities available throughout, those who prefer to socialise sheltered from the elements can place their bets and enjoy the races from the comfort of their indoor seating.
The bookmakers ring at the front of the track is a must-visit for any newcomers to the sport who want to experience that buzz and atmosphere up close.
Similarly, it is well worth checking out the parade ring pre-race to see the horses in the flesh before they run. Unlike many sports, horseracing allows the spectator to view the stars of the show at close quarters.
Racing typically starts around noon each ay and ends at approximately 3.30pm. \ Healy Racing
Ladies Day at Leopardstown is on Sunday 28 December. Growing in popularity in recent years, the day sees members of the public travelling from far afield to take part. With much sought-after prizes on offer for the main categories, competition is sure to be intense. Ladies Day is also widely regarded as a great opportunity for Irish designers and milliners to showcase their talents. The racing is covered on RTÉ television each day and the cameras seldom miss an eyecatching outfit.
The Savills Style Awards, which are open to both men and women, are held on the final day Monday 29 December.
There is also Family Day, with activities such as face painting and games to keep the kids entertained.
Your travel options
A complimentary shuttle bus service, which is available for all race meetings at Leopardstown throughout the year, runs from the Luas stop in Sandyford before and after racing.
With entertainment continuing at Leopardstown long after the last race, punters can enjoy the fun before eventually making their way back into town.
Additional transport services are also provided from Heuston Station, Blackrock Dart Station, Naas town centre and the Red Cow Luas for the major festivals such as Christmas and the Dublin Racing Festival. Times for these services will be confirmed on the racecourse website closer to the fixture itself.
Given the close proximity of Dublin city centre to the track, many racegoers tend to use these services, which allows them to continue their partying into the evening.
For those travelling to the races by car, the best option is to take the Junction 15 (Carrickmines) exit off the M50 and park in Car Park G to avoid congestion on the Leopardstown Road.
Gates at Leopardstown usually open about two hours before the first race. This provides ample opportunity for first-time visitors to explore the facilities and get to know their surrounding well in advance of racing. It is advisable to arrive early and get your bearings, particularly if the weather is bad and you plan to base yourself inside on the afternoon.
Flashback to a Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival when the finalists for the best dressed racegoer competition were from left: Grainne Lyons, Gillian Kelleher, Aoife Trainer, Ally McParland and winner Paula Gannon. \Kieran Harnett
Tickets for each day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival are available both online at and at the gate. See leopardstown.com
Four of the biggest days in Ireland’s horseracing calendar take place at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.
Not only is it a significant festival in its own right, this post-yuletide gathering is traditionally regarded as being a major trialling ground for the big spring meetings at Cheltenham, Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
For the past few months, leading Irish trainers have been preparing their charges for a week where reputations can be made, enhanced and, in some cases, even lost.
Even those with no more than a passing interest in jump racing will be familiar with names such as Istabraq, Danoli, Moscow Flyer and Limestone Lad. All four of those superstars of the jumping game were regular competitors and winners at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival during their careers.
Any horse with genuine aspirations of being the best in its respective division has a chance to stake their claim at this meeting. With racing taking place at a time of year when most people are on holidays, and with RTÉ providing daily coverage, the sport is in the shop window for those four days.
Cheltenham prospects
Speaking ahead of the festival, Grand National-winning trainer Ted Walsh said: “It’s tradition to go to Leopardstown at Christmas. The day after Christmas Day, if you are a racing person in the south of the country, you go to Limerick.
If you are up around Dublin and that part of the country, you would have grown up going to Leopardstown at Christmas. It’s the same as you would go to Fairyhouse on Easter Monday (Irish Grand National).”
Victory or defeat at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival often has a big bearing on a horse’s Cheltenham prospects.
Walsh believes that it is important for the leading fancies to show up well: “I’d say that it’s very important (to run well). Rarely do the good horses get beaten, or at least get beaten very far (at Leopardstown). Leopardstown is a great track and the Christmas Festival is a showcase for the top horses. There is only about five weeks from there to the Dublin Racing Festival, and another five weeks or so to Cheltenham.”
With regard to which horses or races he is most looking forward to over the week, Walsh said: “Willie’s (Mullins) horse that won at Navan (Kopek Des Bordes) clashing with Romeo Coolio in the Grade 1 two-mile novice chase should be a great race. I am really looking forward to that one.
Ted Walsh: "The Christmas Festival is a great showcase for the top horses." \ Healy Racing
“The Paddy Power (Handicap Chase) is always one to watch, even though it is a handicap. The Grade 1 three-mile chase (Savills Chase) is a good indicator of what to expect at Cheltenham. The form of that race usually stands up in the Gold Cup. We have been treated to some great performances from Galopin Des Champs over the last few years. It’s a race that never disappoints.”
Names to note
The 2025 Leopardstown Christmas Festival kicks off on Friday 26 December and it is likely to see the aforementioned Kopek Des Bordes make his second start over fences in the featured Grade 1 Racing Post Chase.
A winner over hurdles on the corresponding card last year, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding went on to score impressively at Cheltenham. Having made the perfect start to his chasing career at Navan last month, the five-year-old steps up in class.
Day two could see the reappearance of champion chaser Marine Nationale in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Chase. His trainer, Barry Connell, lives locally and always likes to have a winner at this meeting. The leading novices clash in the second Grade 1 on the card, the Paddy Power Future Champions Hurdle.
Savills Chase day on Sunday 28 December could see Galopin Des Champs bid for a third successive win in the feature. Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin would be a serious danger if also taking up this engagement. Grey Dawning, who recently landed the Betfair Chase at Haydock, is an intriguing entry for British trainer Dan Skelton.
A total of 62,748 racegoers enjoyed the 2024 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. \ Healy Racing
Stayers’ Hurdle winner Bob Olinger, who finished second at this meeting last year, may bid to go one better in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle. Teahupoo and Ballyburn, who finished first and second in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse recently, could also run in this race.
The fourth and final day on Monday 29 December features the Grade 1 December Hurdle. In the absence of previous dual winner State Man, his stablemate Lossiemouth looks well placed to give Willie Mullins another success in the race.
Dublin’s post-Christmas party
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival has always had something of a reputation as an important social occasion.
Traditionally drawing some of the largest crowds of any Irish race meeting throughout the year, it is renowned as a post-Christmas gathering for inhabitants of the capital. Returning year after year, both racing and non-racing followers mingle in the racecourse enclosures, bars, restaurants and in the grandstand.
St Stephen’s Day attracts thousands of racegoers longing for a bit of fresh air and live sport following the Christmas festivities. The various bars throughout the complex screen live Premiership football matches and the racing from Kempton too, as well as the action as it unfolds on the home track.
With Tote facilities available throughout, those who prefer to socialise sheltered from the elements can place their bets and enjoy the races from the comfort of their indoor seating.
The bookmakers ring at the front of the track is a must-visit for any newcomers to the sport who want to experience that buzz and atmosphere up close.
Similarly, it is well worth checking out the parade ring pre-race to see the horses in the flesh before they run. Unlike many sports, horseracing allows the spectator to view the stars of the show at close quarters.
Racing typically starts around noon each ay and ends at approximately 3.30pm. \ Healy Racing
Ladies Day at Leopardstown is on Sunday 28 December. Growing in popularity in recent years, the day sees members of the public travelling from far afield to take part. With much sought-after prizes on offer for the main categories, competition is sure to be intense. Ladies Day is also widely regarded as a great opportunity for Irish designers and milliners to showcase their talents. The racing is covered on RTÉ television each day and the cameras seldom miss an eyecatching outfit.
The Savills Style Awards, which are open to both men and women, are held on the final day Monday 29 December.
There is also Family Day, with activities such as face painting and games to keep the kids entertained.
Your travel options
A complimentary shuttle bus service, which is available for all race meetings at Leopardstown throughout the year, runs from the Luas stop in Sandyford before and after racing.
With entertainment continuing at Leopardstown long after the last race, punters can enjoy the fun before eventually making their way back into town.
Additional transport services are also provided from Heuston Station, Blackrock Dart Station, Naas town centre and the Red Cow Luas for the major festivals such as Christmas and the Dublin Racing Festival. Times for these services will be confirmed on the racecourse website closer to the fixture itself.
Given the close proximity of Dublin city centre to the track, many racegoers tend to use these services, which allows them to continue their partying into the evening.
For those travelling to the races by car, the best option is to take the Junction 15 (Carrickmines) exit off the M50 and park in Car Park G to avoid congestion on the Leopardstown Road.
Gates at Leopardstown usually open about two hours before the first race. This provides ample opportunity for first-time visitors to explore the facilities and get to know their surrounding well in advance of racing. It is advisable to arrive early and get your bearings, particularly if the weather is bad and you plan to base yourself inside on the afternoon.
Flashback to a Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival when the finalists for the best dressed racegoer competition were from left: Grainne Lyons, Gillian Kelleher, Aoife Trainer, Ally McParland and winner Paula Gannon. \Kieran Harnett
Tickets for each day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival are available both online at and at the gate. See leopardstown.com
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