Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-08-07
Saturday 23, Sunday 24 May 2026. The Curragh, Co. Kildare. Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival.
The 2026 Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival is the Curragh's flagship two-day Group-1 weekend and the first Irish Classics fixture of the season. Saturday 23 May stages the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1, 1m, 3yo c/g) at 15:40 BST; Sunday 24 May stages the Irish 1000 Guineas (G1, 1m, 3yo fillies) at approximately 15:15 BST plus the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1, 1m2½f, 4yo+) at 15:55 BST, a triple Group 1 across the weekend.
TV summary:
| Day | Headline race | Off-time | UK live | Ireland live | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 23 May | Irish 2000 Guineas | 15:40 | ITV Racing | RTÉ Sport | ITVX, Racing TV |
| Sun 24 May | Irish 1000 Guineas | ~15:15 | ITV Racing | RTÉ Sport | ITVX, Racing TV |
| Sun 24 May | Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) | 15:55 | ITV Racing | RTÉ Sport | ITVX, Racing TV |
Key broadcast notes:
- ITV Racing (UK free-to-air): Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani present coverage of all three Group 1s plus selected supporting races each day. UK coverage on ITV1 / ITV4 simulcast / ITVX live stream + 30-day catch-up.
- RTÉ Sport (Ireland free-to-air): RTÉ One / RTÉ Two carry coverage; RTÉ Player offers live stream + catch-up.
- Racing TV (UK + Ireland subscription): full HD coverage of every race on both days. Single-day pass available at £6.99.
Tattersalls has extended sponsorship of the Irish Guineas Festival to 2028 [Tattersalls press release].
This guide breaks the schedule down day-by-day with off-times, plus the streaming and free-replay options. For the Irish 2000 Guineas 2026 preview, Irish 1000 Guineas 2026 preview and Tattersalls Gold Cup 2026 preview for the verdicts.
Where to Bet
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Saturday 23 May: Irish 2000 Guineas Day
Gates open: ~12:00 BST. First race: ~13:30. Last race: ~17:30.
Live TV: ITV Racing (UK) + RTÉ Sport (Ireland) + Racing TV (UK + Ireland subscribers).
| # | Off-time | Race | Class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13:30 | Listed Stakes / G3 (TBC) | LR | 7f |
| 2 | 14:05 | G3 supporting race | G3 | 1m |
| 3 | 14:35 | Listed Stakes (TBC) | LR | 6f |
| 4 | 15:05 | Class 2 Handicap | C2 | 1m |
| 5 | 15:40 | Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (G1, 3yo c/g) | G1 | 1m |
| 6 | 16:15 | G3 / Listed (TBC) | G3/LR | 1m4f |
| 7 | 16:50 | Class 2 Maiden | C2 | 7f |
Headline race: the Irish 2000 Guineas at 15:40 BST. Field Of Gold (Gosden, 2025 winner) is 4yo and ineligible for the 3yo-only Classic. Distant Storm (Appleby / Buick), the 2026 (English) 2000G 3rd, heads the Newmarket form-line carrier list at 7/1-8/1; Aidan O'Brien is four-handed: Officer, Henri Matisse, Twain, Camille Pissarro.
For the verdict see Irish 2000 Guineas 2026 preview.
Sunday 24 May: Irish 1000 Guineas Day + Tattersalls Gold Cup
Gates open: ~12:00 BST. First race: ~13:30. Last race: ~17:30.
Live TV: ITV Racing (UK) + RTÉ Sport (Ireland) + Racing TV. This is a double-Group-1 day: the first time in the season's calendar that two Group 1s run on the same UK-broadcast card.
| # | Off-time | Race | Class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13:30 | Listed Stakes (TBC) | LR | 7f |
| 2 | 14:05 | Class 3 Handicap | C3 | 1m4f |
| 3 | 14:35 | G3 supporting race | G3 | 5f |
| 4 | 15:15 | Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas (G1, 3yo fillies) | G1 | 1m |
| 5 | 15:55 | Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1, 4yo+) | G1 | 1m2½f |
| 6 | 16:30 | Listed Stakes (TBC) | LR | 6f |
| 7 | 17:05 | Class 2 Handicap | C2 | 1m4f |
Headline races:
- Irish 1000 Guineas at 15:15 BST: the fillies' Classic. Aidan O'Brien typically four-handed; the Newmarket 1000G form line transfers.
- Tattersalls Gold Cup at 15:55 BST: the older horses' G1, 1m2½f. 38 entries; Calandagan (Graffard) and Daryz (Graffard): world-#1-rated horse + 2025 Arc winner, lead a strong French challenge. Minnie Hauk (A O'Brien) receiving weight is the Coolmore angle per Aidan O'Brien's Mon 4 May confirmation that she'd skip the Huxley for this.
For verdicts see Irish 1000 Guineas 2026 preview and Tattersalls Gold Cup 2026 preview.
Why the Tattersalls Gold Cup elevates this weekend
Most pre-2024 Irish Guineas weekends staged just two Group 1s, the colts' and fillies' Classics. The Tattersalls Gold Cup's growth into a genuine European G1 (with Coolmore, Graffard, and Godolphin all contesting recent renewals) means the 2026 weekend has three G1s across two days, with combined prize money over EUR 1.5 million. For UK punters, this is a more concentrated G1 weekend than Royal Ascot's individual days.
Streaming options
ITV / ITVX (UK, free)
ITV1 carries live coverage of both days from approximately 13:30 BST through 17:30 BST. Free-to-air via Freeview / Sky / Virgin / Freesat / BT TV.
ITVX (itv.com/watch) is ITV's live stream + on-demand platform. Free with email registration. Live stream + 30-day on-demand catch-up of all three Group 1s. UK-only (geo-restricted; UK VPN works for travelling viewers).
RTÉ Sport (Ireland, free)
RTÉ One and RTÉ Two carry coverage of both days for Irish viewers. RTÉ Player (rte.ie/player) offers live stream + catch-up, free with registration.
Racing TV (UK + Ireland, subscription or day pass)
Racing TV (racingtv.com) covers all 14 races across both days in full HD with paddock walks + post-race interviews + analyst-led replays.
- Sky Channel 426 / Virgin Channel 535: as part of a sports add-on bundle
- RacingTV.com web stream: £29.98/month subscription, or £6.99 single-day pass (buy two for £13.98 to cover both days)
- Racing TV iOS / Android app: same access tier
Sky Sports Racing (UK + Ireland, sports subscription)
Sky Sports Racing typically carries selected supporting races on both days for Sky Sports subscribers. Less dedicated coverage than Racing TV for Group races, best used as a supplementary feed if you already have Sky Sports.
Free post-race options
ITV Racing's YouTube channel publishes Group 1 race replays + jockey/trainer interviews within 30 minutes of each race. Free, no registration. Racing Post, Sporting Life and At The Races all publish written race reports + free video replays within 60 minutes.
For the verdict on each race see our Irish 2000 Guineas 2026 preview, Irish 1000 Guineas 2026 preview and Tattersalls Gold Cup 2026 preview.
Irish Guineas Festival 2026 TV Guide: FAQ
What time is the Irish 2000 Guineas 2026?
Saturday 23 May 2026 at 15:40 BST at the Curragh. Live on ITV Racing (UK) + RTÉ Sport (Ireland).
What time is the Irish 1000 Guineas 2026?
Sunday 24 May 2026 at approximately 15:15 BST at the Curragh. Off-time confirmed at 48-hour declarations on Friday 22 May.
What time is the Tattersalls Gold Cup 2026?
Sunday 24 May 2026 at 15:55 BST at the Curragh.
Is the Irish Guineas Festival on free TV?
Yes, both days. ITV Racing carries both days free-to-air in the UK; RTÉ Sport carries both days free-to-air in Ireland. ITVX and RTÉ Player both offer free live streams + catch-up with email registration.
Can I watch all three Group 1s for free?
Yes, via ITV1 / ITVX in the UK or RTÉ One / RTÉ Player in Ireland. Both broadcasters carry full coverage of the Irish 2000 Guineas, Irish 1000 Guineas, and Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Is Racing TV worth it for the Irish Guineas weekend?
Yes if you want full coverage of every race + paddock walks + analyst content. The £6.99 single-day pass is the right format for one-off viewers; the £29.98/month subscription pays back if you watch flat racing more than 1-2 days per month.
Where can I bet on the Irish Guineas Festival 2026?
Most major UK bookmakers carry all three Group 1s. Best Odds Guaranteed is available on day-of-race at Bet365, William Hill, Coral, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, and Betfred. Each-way places are 1/4 odds at 3 places for 8-12 runner Group 1s.
For our bookmaker reviews see the bookmakers hub.
Calculate your each-way return: Open the Each-Way Calculator →
Responsible betting reminder: the Irish Guineas Festival 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.
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