Curragh Racecourse

"The Curragh race course", a 19th century print

The name "Curragh" comes from the Irish language word Cuirreach, meaning "place of the running horse".[2] The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727, but it was used for races before then.[3] The first Derby was held in 1866,[4] and in 1868 the Curragh was officially declared a horse racing and training facility by act of parliament.

Redevelopment of the Curragh grandstand and racecourse facilities began in 2017 with completion due in time for commencement of the 2019 Irish Flat season. A truncated racing fixture list continued to be held at the course during this period with temporary facilities in place for the public.[5]

The Curragh is a right-handed track,[6] horseshoe and galloping in nature with a testing uphill finish.[7] The track spans two miles in distance with a one-mile chute.[8] It is home to all five Irish Flat Classics.[9]

Johnny Murtagh has had more than 300 wins at the Curragh.

Trainer A. P. O'Brien has had more than 600 wins at the course.

The Curragh training grounds provide trainers with the opportunity to prepare their horses on approximately 1,500 acres of training facilities. In addition to 70 miles of turf gallops,[10] there are approximately 12 miles of peat gallops and eight all-weather tracks available to work on.

Numerous elite level racehorses have run at the course prior to becoming multiple Group One winners around the world. Due to the fair nature of the track, the course has a reputation for attracting high quality two year old runners in particular, with many making their first racecourse appearances at the Curragh.

2009 World Champion Sea The Stars trained on the Curragh by John Oxx

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curragh racecourse.

• Curragh.ie – Official site
• Pattern race calendar can on Horse Racing Ireland's site