RACE INFO

NEXT RACE

WHEN IS THE NEXT IRISH 2000 GUINEAS?

22nd May 2027

Days
Hours
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
KEY DETAILS

OPENING LEG OF THE IRISH TRIPLE CROWN

Race Type
GRADE 1

FLAT

Distance: 1600 Metres
Surface: Turf

Trophy for winning horse race
PURSE

PRIZE MONEY

Winner: €285,000
Prize Fund: €500,000

Qualify for a race
QUALIFYING

ENTRY

Qualification: Three-year-olds+
Weight: Colts 128lbs/fillies 125lbs

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    IRISH 2000 GUINEAS BOOKMAKER

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    IRISH 2000 GUINEAS

    ODDS & RUNNERS 2027

    No horse is guaranteed a position in the race until the final declaration stage. Check the odds with your Bookmaker before placing a bet, as fluctuations occur. Full Terms and Conditions for the promotional bet offers can be found on the respective websites – read them before you sign up. Important to Remember: Please be aware that when you place a bet on a horse in the ante-post market and your chosen horse is subsequently withdrawn from the race for any reason, your ante-post bet is considered lost. In such cases, the bookmaker will retain your stake.

    Antepost Odds Updated 28 May 2026
    NoHorseOddsAgeWeightJockeyTrainerForm
    1Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    2Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    3Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    4Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    5Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    6Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    7Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    8Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    9Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    10Unknown0/039-2Unknown
    IRISH 2000 GUINEAS

    RACE OVERVIEW

    The Irish 2000 Guineas is one of Ireland’s most prestigious and historic horse races, held annually each May at The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare.

    As the first leg of the Irish Triple Crown, it is a highlight of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival, drawing the best three-year-old colts and fillies from Ireland, the UK, and beyond for a weekend of world-class racing, fashion, and entertainment

    Opening Leg of the Irish Triple Crown

    The Irish 2000 Guineas holds great significance as the opening leg of the Irish Triple Crown, a prestigious series of three Group 1 races for three-year-old thoroughbreds held annually at The Curragh.

    Introduced in 1921, the Irish 2000 Guineas kicks off the Triple Crown season each May and serves as a key early test of speed and class over one mile on turf.

    It is modelled on the English Triple Crown and is followed by the Irish Derby and the Irish St. Leger, completing a demanding progression in distance and stamina.

    As the first Classic of the Irish flat racing calendar, the race attracts the best three-year-old colts and fillies from Ireland, Britain, and beyond, often including runners who competed in the English 2000 Guineas three weeks earlier.

    Success in the Irish 2000 Guineas is a strong indicator of a horse’s potential to excel in the subsequent legs of the Triple Crown, especially the Irish Derby, which tests stamina over 1½ miles.

    The Irish Triple Crown itself is a notoriously difficult challenge, with only two horses - Museum (1935) and Windsor Slipper (1942) - having won all three races to date.

    Winners and strong performers frequently go on to compete in other top-level races, such as the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, further enhancing the race’s significance.

    Historic Roots

    First run in 1921, the Irish 2000 Guineas was inspired by the English 2000 Guineas and quickly established itself as a major target for the best three-year-olds in Europe.

    The Curragh’s history as a racing venue stretches back to the early 18th century, and the Guineas has become a proving ground for future stallions and Classic champions.

    Nine horses have completed the English-Irish Guineas double, most recently Churchill in 2017.

    Legendary trainers and jockeys have left their mark, with Aidan O’Brien holding a record 12 wins as a trainer and Tommy Burns and Martin Quirke each riding five winners.

    The race’s roll of honour features stars like Paddington, Siskin, Churchill, Gleneagles, and the great Sadler’s Wells, underlining its importance in global racing.

    UPDATES

    RACING & IRISH 2000 GUINEAS NEWS

    WINNER

    TRENDS & STATS

    It's a race where trends and statistics often provide valuable insights into predicting success on the track.

    Strong 2-Year-Old Form

    Favourites for the Irish 2000 Guineas often boast strong two-year-old form and have run well in the English 2000 Guineas or key trials like the Craven Stakes.

    Most winners come from the top three in the betting and are trained by leading yards such as Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle.

    Experience & Pedigree

    Horses that have previously run at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile have a particularly strong record, and recent trends show that winners often make their seasonal debut in the English Guineas or go straight to The Curragh fresh.

    Pedigree plays a role, with sires like Galileo producing multiple winners.

    While the occasional outsider does prevail, the prevailing trend is for well-fancied, progressive colts to succeed.

    Most Successful Jockeys

    Tommy Burns and Martin Quirke share the record for the most Irish 2000 Guineas wins by a jockey, each securing five victories during the race’s early decades.

    Burns rode the very first winner, Soldennis, in 1921 and claimed his final victory on Beau Sabreur in 1948, while Quirke’s five wins came between 1929 and 1941.

    Their achievements in this Classic remain unmatched, highlighting their lasting legacy in Irish flat racing.

    In recent years, top jockeys such as Ryan Moore, Colin Keane, and Sean Levey have added their names to the Irish 2000 Guineas roll of honour.

    Ryan Moore has won the race three times, riding Gleneagles (2015), Churchill (2017), and Paddington (2023).

    Colin Keane captured the Classic aboard Siskin in 2020, showcasing his skill as one of Ireland’s leading riders.

    Sean Levey celebrated a special first Irish 2000 Guineas victory with Rosallion in 2024, marking a career milestone.

    Aidan O'Brien Reigns Supreme

    Aidan O’Brien stands as the most successful trainer in Irish 2000 Guineas history, amassing a record 13 wins since his first triumph with Desert King in 1997.  

    Renowned for his meticulous preparation and dominance at Ballydoyle, O’Brien’s winners include top-class colts like Rock of Gibraltar, Henrythenavigator, Gleneagles, Churchill, and, most recently, Gstaad in 2026.

    His consistent ability to target and win this Classic has set him apart, cementing his reputation as a master of preparing three-year-olds for Group 1 success at The Curragh.

    The Draw and Post Position

    The Curragh’s round mile course is generally fair, but recent trends show that low-to-middle draws have been slightly favoured in fields of 8-12 runners.

    Tactical speed and the ability to handle the uphill finish are key, and the draw can influence early positioning, especially in larger fields.

    ENTRY

    TICKETS & PRICING

    For 2027, the Irish 2000 Guineas is scheduled to take place at The Curragh Racecourse on Saturday, 22nd May 2027, at 15:40.

    Here's everything you need to know about attending the great Irish Classic:

    General Admission Ticket Prices

      • General Admission:
        • Adults: €35
      • Curragh Day Membership
        • Adults: €65
    • Curragh Bundle:
      • Adults: €37

    The Curragh Bundle includes General admission, a race card, €10 food voucher* and a €5.00 Tote voucher.

    St. Leger Panoramic Restaurant

    For €225 per person, you can enjoy a culinary journey with a 3-course A la carte menu at the panoramic St. Leger Restaurant at the Curragh.

    Combine world-class horse racing and an exclusive gourmet dining experience, set against the backdrop of one of the most breathtaking views in Ireland.

    How to Buy Tickets

    Tickets are currently available through the official Curragh Racecourse website.

    IRISH 2000 GUINEAS

    VISITOR TIPS

    Here's a clear, helpful list of tips for visitors attending the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh:

      1. Fashion & Comfort
        The festival is a stylish affair, but comfort is important as you’ll be on your feet and exposed to Irish spring weather-layers and comfortable shoes are recommended.
      2. Weather Preparedness
        May in Ireland can be unpredictable; bring a raincoat or umbrella and sunscreen.
      3. Family Friendly
        The weekend includes entertainment for all ages, including live music, food stalls, and children’s activities.
      4. Transportation
        The Curragh is easily accessible by car or public transport from Dublin and nearby towns. Shuttle services and parking are available.

      Follow these simple tips to ensure your Irish 2000 Guineas experience at the Curragh is enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable!

    EARLY YEARS

    HISTORY

    The Irish 2000 Guineas, first run in 1921 at The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, is one of Ireland’s most prestigious flat races and the opening leg of the Irish Triple Crown.

    Modeled on the English 2000 Guineas, it is a Group 1 contest open to three-year-old colts and fillies, run over a mile on The Curragh’s historic right-handed, horseshoe-shaped turf course.

    The Curragh itself is the spiritual home of Irish racing, with records of horse racing dating back to at least 1634, making it one of the oldest and most important racecourses in the world.

    Over the centuries, The Curragh has grown into the headquarters of Irish flat racing, hosting all five Irish Classics-including the Irish Derby, Oaks, St Leger, and 1000 Guineas-and ten of Ireland’s twelve Group 1 races each season.

    The Irish 2000 Guineas is the centrepiece of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival, drawing top three-year-olds from Ireland, Britain, and beyond, and frequently serves as a springboard to further Group 1 glory.

    With its history, challenging course, and roll of honour featuring many future champion stallions, the Irish 2000 Guineas and The Curragh remain central pillars of the international racing calendar.

    VIDEOS

    4 Videos
    QUESTIONS

    FAQs

      1. What is the Irish 2000 Guineas?
        A Group 1 flat race for three-year-old colts and fillies, run over a mile at The Curragh each May.
      2. When is the 2027 Irish 2000 Guineas?
        Scheduled for Saturday, 22 May 2027, as the highlight of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival.
      3. Who can enter?
        Three-year-old Thoroughbred colts and fillies (no geldings).
      4. What is the prize money?
        €500,000 total purse, with €285,000 to the winner.
      5. What is the course like?
        A right-handed, turf round course with a challenging uphill finish.
      6. How do I get tickets?
        Tickets and packages are available online, with options for general admission, hospitality, and VIP experiences.
      7. What should I wear?
        Smart, weather-appropriate attire is recommended; fashion is encouraged but comfort is key.
      8. Can I bet at the race?
        Yes, betting is available on course and online.
      9. Who are the most successful trainer and jockeys?
        Aidan O’Brien (trainer, 12 wins); Tommy Burns and Martin Quirke (jockeys, 5 wins each).
      10. What else is there to do?
        Enjoy local attractions, stud tours, shopping, and the lively festival atmosphere in Kildare and Newbridge.
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