© Curragh Racecourse

One of the biggest horse races on the Irish calendar, the Irish Derby Festival is an eight race programme that attracts racing enthusiasts and punters from all over the world who come to witness this incredible spectacle and soak up the excitement of the weekend. The main event takes place on the Sunday but forms part of a three-day event that begins on Derby Friday. Horses and jockeys from around the world compete in the race which is one of Ireland's five Classic Races. The festival is held at the prestigious Curragh Racecourse in Kildare which is the home of Irish horse racing and where the first professional race took place in 1741.

Times
First race begins 1330 but the excitement begins much earlier in the day.