Leopardstown Racecourse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1 Major races
- 1.1 Flat
- 1.2 National Hunt
2 See also
3 External link

Heading for the start with Wicklow Mountains in background

Leopardstown Racecourse (53°15′57″N, 6°11′21″W) is one of Europe's premier racing venues. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in county Dublin, a few miles south of the Dublin city centre. The course was modelled on Sandown Park racecourse in England, and is regarded as a true test for any horse.

Completed in 1888 and acquired by the Horse Racing Board of Ireland in 1967. Many important races are held here and racing takes place all year round, with about 22 meetings per year.

The Leopardstown Hall of Fame honours famous Irish horse racing trainers, jockeys and horses like, Vincent O'Brien, Tom Dreaper, Pat Taaffe and Pat Eddery, Arkle, Dawn Run, Levmoss and Nijinsky.

[edit] Major races

The Irish Champion stakes is perhaps the most important race at the course and one of the World Series of Racing. It is held every September and attracts the cream of racing thoroughbreds.