When is the 2026 Irish St Leger?
The 2026 Irish St Leger, Ireland’s iconic Group One long-distance Classic, will take place at the Curragh on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Renowned for allowing both 3-year-olds and older stayers to compete, it’s the final leg of Ireland’s Triple Crown and a highlight of Irish Champions Weekend. Recent winner Al Riffa has made headlines ahead of a Melbourne Cup campaign. Fans can watch live on ITV, RacingTV, or via streaming through bet365 by registering or logging in. The race consistently attracts the season’s top middle and long-distance talent.
- We bring you the dates and vital information about the 2026 Irish St Leger
- This Classic will be run at the Curragh on Sunday 13th September 2026
When is the 2026 Irish St Leger?
The 2026 Irish St Leger will be run at the Curragh racecourse on Sunday 13th September 2026.
What is the Irish St Leger?
The Irish St Leger is the showpiece Group One event on the second day of Irish Champions Weekend, and it holds a unique place in the Irish racing calendar.
Unlike its English counterpart, this Classic is open to all horses aged three and older, making it a rare opportunity for seasoned stayers to take on the younger Classic generation. Run over a demanding 14-furlong trip, the race is a true test of stamina and class, regularly attracting some of the finest long-distance performers from Ireland, Britain, and beyond.
Who won the Irish St Leger?
On his first start for new Australian owners, Al Riffa romped to victory in the Irish St Leger and Joseph O'Brien will now train his star for the Melbourne Cup.
Which horses will run in the Irish St Leger?
As a recognised Classic contest, the Irish St Leger often draws runners who previously lined up in the season’s other major races, such as the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby, the Epsom Oaks, and the Irish Oaks. Many of these three-year-olds step up in distance at the Curragh, testing their stamina against older stayers in what is regarded as one of the toughest and most prestigious long-distance races of the flat racing season.
Where is the Irish St Leger run?
The Irish St Leger is run at the Curragh racecourse, situated in County Kildare, Ireland.
Where can I watch the Irish St Leger?
The Irish St Leger will be shown on channels like ITV and RacingTV, but the easiest way would be to stream the race live. If you plan on watching the racing via your mobile or tablet, then bookmakers such as bet365 will allow you to stream the race live.
Irish St Leger Live Streaming
The bet365 live streaming service covers a wide range of horse racing on a daily basis. Here's how to stream the 2026 Irish St Leger live online:
Visit bet365 > live streaming > horse racing
Log-in or register for an account (use the bet365 bonus code NEWBONUS if opening a new account)
Registered depositing users can then watch and bet on live horse racing.
To watch a bet365 live stream users must be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. 18+, geo-restrictions & terms and conditions apply.
Open Account Offer: Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way.
Irish St Leger History
The Irish St Leger is the fifth and final Classic of the season in Ireland. This Group One race is staged at the Curragh, and is run over a challenging one-and-three-quarter mile trip.
The Irish St Leger is also the final leg on the Irish Triple Crown. The colt's Triple Crown consists of the Irish 2000 Guineas, the Irish Derby and the Irish St Leger.
Fillies have to win the Irish 1000 Guineas and the Irish Oaks, along with the Irish St Leger, if they want to win the Triple Crown.
Unlike the British version of the St Leger, which is only open to three-year-olds, older horses are free to enter the Irish St Leger. This means there have been a number of multiple winners of this Classic.
Vintage Crop was the first to do just that, winning the Irish St Leger in 1993 and '94. Oscar Schindler and Kayf Tara both managed back to back victories before the turn of the century.
2001 saw Dermot Weld's Vinnie Roe win the Irish St Leger for the first time. Vinnie Roe would go on to retain his title the following year, complete a hat-trick in 2003 and win the Irish St Leger for the fourth time in 2004.
Vincent O'Brien is the most successful trainer in the history of this Classic, having saddled nine winners between 1959 and 1988.
His son, Aidan O'Brien has carried on his family's rich tradition of Irish St Leger winners, with the last of his five winners coming in 2019, when Flag Of Honour scooped the top prize.
Plenty of British trainers have celebrated success in the Irish St Leger down the years. John Dunlop, Paul Cole, James Fanshawe and Jeremy Noseda have all won the race. John Gosden and Mark Johnston shared the prize in 2011, when Duncan and Jukebox Jury dead-heated.
Tom Dascombe celebrated a famous win in 2014, when the popular Brown Panther won the Irish St Leger.
Order Of St George won the race for the first time the following season. Having been upset by Willie Mullins Wicklow Brave in 2016, Order Of St George successfully regained his title in 2017.
The 2019 edition of the Irish St Leger went the way of Dermot Weld once again, as his three-year-old filly, Search For A Song upset Kew Gardens to claim Classic glory. Weld's filly then joined the illustrious list of two-time Irish St Leger winners, beating Fujaira Prince to retain her title in 2020.
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