Leopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse (Coordinates: 53°15′57″N 6°11′21″W / 53.26583°N 6.18917°W) is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse in England.
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.
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[edit] Facilities
Leopardstown golf course and club house is situated in the middle of the racetrack. The course also has designer shops, a fitness centre, the Leopardstown Pavilion, Fillies Café Bar, the Silken Glider Restaurant, the Paddock Food Hall, Club 92 nightclub, Madigans pub, and numerous bars and snack areas.[1] A farmers market is also on-site every Friday.[2]
[edit] Major races
The Irish Champion stakes is 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.
[edit] Flat
- Irish Champion Stakes (Sep)
- Matron Stakes (Sep)
- Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (May)
[edit] National Hunt
- Boylesports.com Hurdle (Jan)
- Arkle Novice Chase (Jan)
- Irish Champion Hurdle (Jan)
- Deloitte Novice Hurdle (Feb)
- Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase (Feb)
- Hennessy Gold Cup (Feb)
- Lexus Chase (Dec)
- December Festival Hurdle (Dec)
[edit] Transport
Racecourse
A halt on the Luas Green Line is located at the southern end of the racecourse. However as of January 2012 it remains unopened and devoid of all signage, with trams passing through non-stop.
| Preceding station | Luas | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballyogan Wood | Green Line | Carrickmines | ||
