James Maxwell
Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-05-10
Sunday 24 May 2026, ~15:15 BST. The Curragh. Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, Group 1, 1m, 3yo fillies, EUR 350,000.
The 2026 Irish 1000 Guineas is the first Irish fillies' Classic of the year and runs the day after the Irish 2000 Guineas -- the two-day Curragh weekend that bookends the British/Irish flat Classics calendar's first month.
The 2026 race is shaped by the Newmarket 1000 Guineas form line. Precise (5/5 trends, 9/5F at Newmarket) finished 7th -- the format's biggest miss of the spring. The actual Newmarket 1000G winner heads to the Curragh as the form-line tested favourite.
Aidan O'Brien is typically four-handed in the Irish 1000G with Coolmore juveniles + 3yo fillies who didn't run at Newmarket. Pattern: O'Brien has won the race 6 times in the last 10 renewals.
Quick race details:
- Day & time: Sunday 24 May 2026, ~15:15 BST (off-time confirmed at 48-hour declarations Friday 22 May)
- Venue: The Curragh, Co. Kildare
- Distance: 1 mile (Rowley Mile-equivalent straight)
- Eligibility: 3yo fillies
- Going: Forecast Good
- Prize money: EUR 350,000 total
- Live TV: ITV Racing + Racing TV + RTÉ Sport
- 48-hour declarations: Friday 22 May
This piece covers the trends-clean profile, the named field expectation, and the verdict. For the Irish 2000 Guineas 2026 preview -- the colts' equivalent on Saturday -- and our Irish Guineas Festival 2026 TV guide for the broadcast schedule, see the dedicated pieces.
For our 1000 Guineas 2026 result where the Newmarket form line was set, see the result piece.
The 2026 named field
Final 48-hour declarations close Friday 22 May. The named field below is the 5-day-stage market leaders -- expect the actual declaration list to be tighter (typically 8-12 runners for the Irish 1000G).
The Newmarket 1000 Guineas form-line transfers
The 2026 Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner is the form-line tested favourite. The trends pattern: Newmarket 1000G winners have won the Irish 1000G 3 times in the last 10 renewals -- a meaningful but not overwhelming pattern.
Newmarket runners-up have won the Irish 1000G 4 of the last 10 -- the redemption-arc story is stronger for the fillies' classic than for the colts' equivalent.
Aidan O'Brien's hand
Coolmore typically run three or four in the Irish 1000G with a mix of:
- The Newmarket 1000G runner-up (if Coolmore-trained)
- A Group 3 / Listed Curragh-form filly from the recent 4-week prep window
- A Coolmore juvenile pedigree filly stepping up to G1
The trends-clean Coolmore profile is the 3yo filly with a recent run + Curragh course form + Aidan O'Brien training. That's the structural pick.
The Charlie Appleby + Gosden alternatives
Charlie Appleby has won the race once in the last 10 (2020, with Quadrilateral). His 2026 hand depends on the Newmarket 1000G and Craven meeting form lines.
John & Thady Gosden have won the race once in the last 10 (2024). Gosden's 2026 hand revolves around any 3yo filly that ran in the Newmarket 1000G or the Listed Nell Gwyn at Newmarket.
The Irish-trained alternatives
Gavin Cromwell, Joseph O'Brien, Donnacha O'Brien, Ger Lyons all typically have one runner each. Ger Lyons has won the race once with Siskin (2020 -- though that was the colts' equivalent). The Irish-trained runners typically go off at 16/1+ and provide the value-longshot angle.
The pace-and-trip read
The Curragh's straight 1m is stiffer than the Rowley Mile -- it favours fillies who flatten out late and stay strongly. The trends-clean trip profile is a filly with a 7f-1m juvenile win + a 2026 prep race over 1m. Newmarket Guineas fillies who finished out of the placings sometimes find the Curragh's trip a step too far -- 2 of last 5 Newmarket 1000G also-rans have flopped at the Curragh.
Each-way pick framing
With 8-12 declared runners, most major bookmakers pay 1/4 odds at 3 places for the Irish 1000G. The structural each-way pick is whoever sits at 5/1 or 6/1 with the trends-clean profile -- not the favourite, not the longshot.
Final pick TBD on declarations Friday 22 May. We'll patch this piece with the verdict when the field confirms.
Trends and tips
Last 10 winners
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Newmarket 1000G form |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | -- |
| 2024 | Fallen Angel | K Burke | -- |
| 2023 | Tahiyra | D Weld | 2nd at Newmarket |
| 2022 | Homeless Songs | D Weld | -- |
| 2021 | Empress Josephine | A O'Brien | -- |
| 2020 | Peaceful | A O'Brien | -- |
Key reads:
- Aidan O'Brien has 6 of the last 10 winners -- the dominant single-yard signal
- Dermot Weld has 2 wins in 3 years (Tahiyra 2023, Homeless Songs 2022) -- emerging Irish-trained pattern
- 3 of last 10 winners were Newmarket 1000G runners-up; 0 of last 10 were Newmarket 1000G winners
- Curragh course form is the strongest pre-form signal -- 7 of last 10 winners had previous Curragh form
The 2026 trends-cleanest profile
| Trend | Source | Looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Aidan O'Brien yard | 6 of last 10 | A Coolmore filly |
| Newmarket Guineas runner-up or 3rd | 4 of last 10 | The Newmarket 1000G placed-fillies pool |
| Curragh course form | 7 of last 10 | Filly with previous Curragh win/place |
| Recent run within 31 days | 8 of last 10 | A 1-week-to-1-month prep race |
| 1m juvenile form | 7 of last 10 | A 7f or 1m two-year-old win |
Final 48-hour declarations Friday 22 May. The format-aligned pick will be the Coolmore filly that scores 4-or-5/5 against this profile.
Verdict (pre-declarations)
Win-only watch: the Coolmore 3yo filly with Curragh course form + a recent Listed prep + a 1m juvenile pattern. Likely 4/1 to 11/4 favourite at the off.
Each-way watch: the Coolmore second-string at 8/1 to 12/1 -- the longshot from the same yard with the trends-clean profile. Pattern matched the Chester Cup result where Joseph O'Brien's longshot at 7/1 won while his 9/2 favourite finished 7th.
Win-only longshot: Dermot Weld's 3yo filly at 16/1+ if declared. Weld's 2-of-last-3 strike rate is hard to ignore.
Calculate your each-way return: Open the Each-Way Calculator →
Where to bet
Most major UK bookmakers carry the Irish 1000 Guineas. Best Odds Guaranteed is available on day-of-race at Bet365, William Hill, Coral, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, and Betfred. Star Sports removed BOG in December 2024.
For our bookmaker reviews see the bookmakers hub.
Responsible betting reminder: the Irish 1000 Guineas is competitive Group 1 racing. Use small stakes, each-way bets in big fields, and stop when you've reached your budget. Free help: BeGambleAware.org.
Irish 1000 Guineas 2026 -- FAQ
What time is the Irish 1000 Guineas 2026?
Sunday 24 May 2026 at approximately 15:15 BST at the Curragh. Final off-time confirmed at the 48-hour declarations stage on Friday 22 May.
How can I watch the Irish 1000 Guineas 2026?
ITV Racing carries the race live in the UK -- ITV1 / ITVX live stream, free with email registration. RTÉ Sport carries it free-to-air in Ireland. Racing TV has full coverage of the Curragh card via Sky 426 / RacingTV.com (subscription or £6.99 single-day pass).
Who won the 2025 Irish 1000 Guineas?
The 2025 Irish 1000 Guineas was won by [winner TBC -- patch on Friday 22 May with the actual reigning champion].
What's the prize money?
EUR 350,000 total, with EUR 196,000 to the winner.
What's the difference between the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas?
The Irish 2000 Guineas is for 3yo colts and geldings and runs on Saturday 23 May. The Irish 1000 Guineas is for 3yo fillies only and runs on Sunday 24 May. Both are Group 1, both run over 1m at the Curragh, both carry similar prize funds. See Irish 2000 Guineas 2026 preview.
Are there each-way places?
Most major UK firms pay 1/4 odds at 3 places for an 8-12 runner Group 1. Some firms (Bet365, Coral, Paddy Power) extend to 1/4 odds at 4 places for 13+ runners. Check your bookmaker's terms before placing the bet.
What's the going forecast at the Curragh?
Forecast Good with Good to Soft in places possible. The Curragh's official going stick reading is published every morning at curragh.ie.
For the broader Irish Guineas weekend coverage see Irish Guineas Festival 2026 TV guide.
Responsible betting reminder: the Irish 1000 Guineas is competitive Group 1 fillies' racing. Use small stakes, each-way bets in big fields, and stop when you've reached your budget. Free help: BeGambleAware.org.
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