Curragh Racecourse

The Curragh

Location	Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland
Coordinates	53°9′55″N 6°50′43″W / 53.16528°N 6.84528°W / 53.16528; -6.84528Coordinates: 53°9′55″N 6°50′43″W / 53.16528°N 6.84528°W / 53.16528; -6.84528
Race type	Thoroughbred Flat
Notable races	Irish 1,000 Guineas (G1) Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1) Irish Derby (G1) Irish Oaks (G1) Irish St. Leger (G1)
Official website

The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.

History

The name "Curragh" comes from the Irish (Gaeilge) word Cuirreach, meaning "place of the running horse". The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727, but it was used for races before then.^[1] The first Derby was held in 1866, and in 1868 the Curragh was officially declared a horse racing and training facility by act of parliament.

Racing

The course is right-handed, about two miles long and horseshoe-shaped. Races up to one mile are run on a straight course. Additionally there are several training facilities on the site.

The Curragh offers the highest purses and highest quality level of Flat racing in Ireland. In 2007, 10 of Ireland's 12 Group One races will be held at the track.

The Curragh Racecourse

Notable races

All 5 Irish classics are run at The Curragh.

Railway Connections

Kildare railway station: On days of racing there is a shuttle bus to Curragh Racecourse. South Kildare Community Transport also serve the station providing links to Milltown, Nurney and Kildangan.^[2]

Former railway station

Curragh Racecourse railway station opened in 1875, but finally closed on 7 March 1977.^[3] It sometimes opens for the Irish Derby.

References

External links

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