Christmas winners Galopin Des Champs, Brighterdaysahead, Banbridge, and Romeo Coolio headline the stellar entries for the ticket-only Dublin Racing Festival 2025 at Leopardstown, set to take place on Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2. This two-day extravaganza features eight Grade 1 races and an impressive roster of top-class contenders.
Dublin Racing Festival 2025: Star-Studded Line-Up at Leopardstown
Day One of the Dublin Racing Festival promises an exciting lineup, featuring four highly anticipated Grade 1 races. The highlight of the day is the prestigious Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, supported by competitive Grade 2 and Grade B contests that showcase top-tier talent.
The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup has long been a key trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, producing some legendary double winners. Four horses have achieved victory in both races during the same year: Jodami (1993), Imperial Call (1996), Sizing John (2017), and Galopin Des Champs (2023 & 2024). This year the DRF is a ticket only event, there will be no purchase of entrance available on the day. Announcing the new initiative, Tim Husbands, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse, said:
“The success of the Dublin Racing Festival is down to the high quality of the racing on offer. Across the two days, there are eight Grade 1 races with the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Hurdle among them. We are delighted that the Dublin Racing Festival attracts huge numbers of racegoers from Britain and this year alone, 38% of all attendees travelled from across the Irish Sea.”
Dublin Racing Festival 2025: British Raiders
It’s no surprise to see the high number of UK visitors. Prices for entry start at 35 Euro! Day Two of the Dublin Racing Festival offers another thrilling lineup, featuring four Grade 1 races, headlined by the prestigious Irish Champion Hurdle. The day also includes a range of competitive Grade 2 and Grade B contests, ensuring top-quality action throughout.
The Irish Champion Hurdle, has a storied history, with some of the finest hurdlers claiming victory. Notable winners include the legendary Honeysuckle, who dominated from 2020 to 2022, State Man (2023 and 2024), and the exceptional Apple’s Jade in 2019. Among the highlights, Galopin Des Champs, fresh from his dazzling victory at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, leads the 14 entries for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.
Dublin Racing Festival 2025: Galopin to Glory
He dominated the Savills Chase last month, surging clear at the final fence to reverse his earlier defeat in the John Durkan Punchestown Chase, where stablemate Fact To File had previously bested him. The two are poised for another thrilling rematch, with trainer Willie Mullins also entering Embassy Gardens, I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West, and Minella Cocooner. Mouse Morris’s Gentlemansgame, third behind Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File at Christmas, also features.
Gordon Elliott contributes strong contenders, including Gerri Colombe, runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in both the Savills Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup, alongside Conflated, the 2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup winner. Other entries include Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthinkin, Tara Lee Cogan’s Hewick, and Henry de Bromhead’s Monty’s Star.
Dublin Racing Festival 2025: Exciting Novices
The festival opens with the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, boasting 18 entries. Gordon Elliott’s The Yellow Clay, winner of the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, leads his team of six, which includes Bleu De Vassy and Sporting Glory. Willie Mullins has six contenders of his own, such as Final Demand, Supersundae, and Jasmin De Vaux. Other notable entries include Des Kenneally’s Pray Tell and Henry de Bromhead’s Sommesky.
In the Grade 1 Gannon’s City Recovery and Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle, James Owen’s unbeaten East India Dock stands out. After a commanding Grade 2 win at Cheltenham in November, he could face Warren Greatrex’s Quantock Hills and local challengers Hello Neighbour and Lady Vega Allen, the one-two finishers in the Grade 2 O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ Sainte Lucie and Gordon Elliott’s Wendrock also strengthen the home defence.
Dublin Racing Festival 2025: More Mullins Domination
The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase sees Willie Mullins dominate the entries, including Majborough and Ile Atlantique, both of whom posted impressive wins in their most recent starts. Potential rivals include Gordon Elliott’s Firefox, Henry de Bromhead’s Inthepocket, and Leopardstown Christmas Festival winner Jeannot Lapin.
Champion trainer on both sides of the Irish Sea, top trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, and Grand National winner—2024 was nothing short of extraordinary for Willie Mullins. Among his many achievements, one stands out as truly remarkable: at the Dublin Racing Festival, Mullins swept all eight Grade 1 races across the two-day event at Leopardstown, a feat that will live long in racing history.
On the second day, Brighterdaysahead tops the entries for the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle, following her dominant Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle win. Gordon Elliott’s team includes King Of Kingsfield and Fils D’oudairies, while Willie Mullins brings a six-strong squad featuring Winter Fog, State Man, and Lossiemouth.
Dublin Racing Festival 2025: Exciting Entries
In the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase, Willie Mullins fields an exciting lineup, including Ballyburn, Ile Atlantique, and Limerick Grade 1 winner Impaire Et Passe. Gordon Elliott’s Croke Park and Better Days Ahead, first and second in the Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase, bolster the competition.
The Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle sees Romeo Coolio aiming to build on his Grade 1 success at Christmas. Gordon Elliott’s eight entries include The Yellow Clay and Bleu De Vassy, while Willie Mullins fields a formidable team of 10, including Salvator Mundi and Kopek Des Bordes.
In the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Solness are set to clash, with Banbridge fresh off a dramatic King George VI Chase win and Solness victorious at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival. Mullins’ team includes Energumene and defending champion El Fabiolo, with Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness and Quilixios and British raider Boothill adding to the intrigue.
If you can get to Leopardstown next weekend, do! It’s great value and the best National Hunt racing in Ireland outside of their major festivals. The two day meeting works perfectly with the emphasis both on quality and quantity. As well as the proverbial stepping stone to Cheltenham, this meeting is right up there with the jewel in the crown of Prestbury Park.
By Cathryn Fry
Please note that the information provided in this Irish Eyecatchers article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
