Irish Champion Hurdle
Get expert Irish Champion Hurdle tips, in-depth racecards, and compare odds for the Grade 1 race at Leopardstown.
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The Irish Champion Hurdle is a prestigious Grade 1 hurdle race and is run over a trip of two miles. The race is run each in late January or early February at Leopardstown Racecourse and is open to horses aged four and older. There are eight flights of hurdles to be jumped. The race has become a firm fixture in the Dublin Racing Festival schedule.
Irish Champion Hurdle Odds & Runners
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17Irish Champion Hurdle Racecard
O'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Sequestered readily took care of his nearest rival by 10 lengths over an extended 3m at this venue in December and, provided this slight drop in trip doesn't pose him many problems, he could have a say off a 12lb higher rating. However, the vote goes to SEARCH FOR GLORY, who was denied by a short head into second in a Grade 2 event before putting in another good effort when third at the top level at Limerick last time. Gordon Elliott's eight-year-old makes his first start in a handicap and can defy his opening mark of 144 on only his fourth chase start. James Du Berlais is likely to have his supporters and has every chance based on his second in the Topham at Aintree in April last year.
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New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.
Irish Champion Hurdle Overview
The Irish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race that is run usually in late January or early February at the Dublin Racing Festival. It attracts high-class hurdlers over a trip of two miles. It often serves as a trial for the Champion Hurdle itself at the Cheltenham Festival around six weeks down the line.
The race is run at Leopardstown and there are eight flights of hurdles to be jumped. The race carries a valuable first prize of almost €112,000.
Irish Champion Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics
The leading trainer in the Irish Champion Hurdle in recent years is Willie Mullins who has won the race nine times. Those eight winners have included Hurricane Fly (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015), Faugheen (2016) and State Man (2023, 2024 & 2025). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Irish Champion Hurdle are Henry De Bromhead (5), Mrs John Harrington (2) and Colm Murphy (2). A trainer to avoid in this race is Noel Meade. He has attempted to win it six times without success.
Paul Townend is the leading jockey in the Irish Champion Hurdle in recent years having won the race four times with Hurricane Fly (2011) and State Man (2023, 2024 & 2025). Just behind Townend, Rachael Blackmore has won the race three times with Honeysuckle (2020, 2021 & 2022).
Jockeys to avoid in this particular race include Mark Walsh and Danny Mullins. Between them, they have had twelve rides in the race and they have only managed to be placed once.
Irish Champion Hurdle History
The Irish Champion Hurdle was first established in 1950. It is considered to be one of two Irish races held that are seen as the equivalent to the Champion Hurdle which is held every year at the Cheltenham Festival. The other race is the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
The race has undergone a number of name changes through the years due to different sponsors. It was sponsored by AIG Europe between 1993 and 2008. Toshiba then took over sponsorship in 2009 and 2010 before BHP Insurance were the race sponsor from 2011 until 2019. Since then, the race has been sponsored by PCI.
This is a very good race in which to back the favourite. Stats show that nine out of the last ten favourites have obliged in this race, with Supasundae (2018) the only horse to win that was not the market leader.
Irish Champion Hurdle Winners
Irish Champion Hurdle FAQ
Who won the Irish Champion Hurdle in 2025?
Willie Mullins’ State Man scored for the third consecutive year having managed to avoid the mishap of his stable mate Lossiemouth who took a tumble when alongside the eventual winner four from home to coast home, under Paul Townend by 6 1/2L.
What is the prize money for the Irish Champion Hurdle?
This race is worth approximately €112,000 to the winner. The race is of Grade 1 stature and often only attracts the very best two-mile hurdlers.
When is the Irish Champion Hurdle?
The Irish Champion Hurdle is usually run at Leopardstown in the last week of January or the first week of February as part of the Dublin Racing Festival.
How many hurdles are in the Irish Champion Hurdle?
There are eight national hunt hurdles to be jumped in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
How many horses race in the Irish Champion Hurdle?
The Irish Champion Hurdle usually attracts a field size of between five and eight of the top-rated hurdlers across the UK and Ireland.
Which horses are eligible for the Irish Champion Hurdle?
The race is open to horses aged four and older.
