Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2024: All you need to know
The festival returns for another helping of festive racing
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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Paul Townend with Galopin Des Champs en route to victory in the 2023 Savills Chase
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is back.
With seven Grade 1 races across four action-packed days, the annual festive feast is set to provide the usual thrills and spills as well as providing a key marker in the jumps season.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the latest edition.
When does racing start?
The Festival gets underway with the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle at 12pm on St Stephen’s Day, kickstarting four days of exciting action.
Each day gets started around midday, with the last of each day’s seven races going to post at either 3.30pm or 3.40pm.
For those looking to soak up the early atmosphere, gates will open at 10am each day.
What are the big races?
There are seven Grade 1s across the four days, with the Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase the headline on the opening day of racing.
Gordon Elliott will be looking for another victory after winning with Found A Fifty last year, who instead goes in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase on 27 December.
There will be plenty of competition in a packed field that could include Gaelic Warrior, Captain Guinness, and last year’s winner Dinoblue.
Day two’s other Grade 1 is the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, which goes to post at 1.45pm.
Willie Mullins has a record seven wins in the race but has alternated victories with Gordon Elliott in the past five editions.
Mullins will hope Salvator Mundi can follow in the footsteps of Appreciate It and Facile Vega, while Elliott’s Bleu De Vassy and Romeo Coolio could continue his success as they look to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Caldwell Potter.
A star-studded entry list makes the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle one to watch on the third day of the Festival, with Bob Olinger, Teahupoo and Noble Yeats all in contention alongside 2022 winner Home By The Lee.
The Festival concludes with the December Hurdle, as State Man goes for a hat-trick of victories.
Victory would also make it seven in a row for Willie Mullins, after Sharjah earned four consecutive wins between 2018 and 2021.
What else will be on?
The famous Leopardstown atmosphere is one that has to be sampled in the flesh, with live music and entertainment on offer throughout the Festival. This year’s acts include DJ James Hannan, The Swing Cats, and The Connor McKeown Band.
Those looking to brush up their knowledge and gain some tips can hear from some of the best in Irish racing at Paddy Power’s From The Horses Mouth panel each morning.
Where can I buy tickets?
General admission tickets are €40, with seniors and students €35, children 13-17 just €5 and under 12s going free.
A Flexi Ticket – allowing admission to any one of the four days – costs €45.
Tickets can be purchased here.
With seven Grade 1 races across four action-packed days, the annual festive feast is set to provide the usual thrills and spills as well as providing a key marker in the jumps season.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the latest edition.
When does racing start?
The Festival gets underway with the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle at 12pm on St Stephen’s Day, kickstarting four days of exciting action.
Each day gets started around midday, with the last of each day’s seven races going to post at either 3.30pm or 3.40pm.
For those looking to soak up the early atmosphere, gates will open at 10am each day.
What are the big races?
There are seven Grade 1s across the four days, with the Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase the headline on the opening day of racing.
Gordon Elliott will be looking for another victory after winning with Found A Fifty last year, who instead goes in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase on 27 December.
There will be plenty of competition in a packed field that could include Gaelic Warrior, Captain Guinness, and last year’s winner Dinoblue.
Day two’s other Grade 1 is the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, which goes to post at 1.45pm.
Willie Mullins has a record seven wins in the race but has alternated victories with Gordon Elliott in the past five editions.
Mullins will hope Salvator Mundi can follow in the footsteps of Appreciate It and Facile Vega, while Elliott’s Bleu De Vassy and Romeo Coolio could continue his success as they look to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Caldwell Potter.
A star-studded entry list makes the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle one to watch on the third day of the Festival, with Bob Olinger, Teahupoo and Noble Yeats all in contention alongside 2022 winner Home By The Lee.
The Savills Chase then sees Galopin Des Champs back in town looking for a second successive victory but there will be plenty of competition, with Fact To File, who beat the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner when they met at Punchestown in November, Gerri Colombe, Hewick, and I Am Maximus all currently entered.Back with a bang ✨
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 28, 2023
Galopin Des Champs returns to winning ways with an emphatic @SavillsIreland Chase success! 🔥#LRCChristmas pic.twitter.com/BXblqJaX2w
The Festival concludes with the December Hurdle, as State Man goes for a hat-trick of victories.
Victory would also make it seven in a row for Willie Mullins, after Sharjah earned four consecutive wins between 2018 and 2021.
What else will be on?
The famous Leopardstown atmosphere is one that has to be sampled in the flesh, with live music and entertainment on offer throughout the Festival. This year’s acts include DJ James Hannan, The Swing Cats, and The Connor McKeown Band.
Those looking to brush up their knowledge and gain some tips can hear from some of the best in Irish racing at Paddy Power’s From The Horses Mouth panel each morning.
Where can I buy tickets?
General admission tickets are €40, with seniors and students €35, children 13-17 just €5 and under 12s going free.
A Flexi Ticket – allowing admission to any one of the four days – costs €45.
Tickets can be purchased here.