Down Royal Festival of Racing

It's a Proper Day Out

Down Royal Festival of Racing

 The Ladbrokes Festival of Racing takes place at Down Royal Racecourse on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd November 2024. The Festival will see top runners and riders from the UK, Ireland and beyond compete at Northern Ireland’s premier racecourse, with a host of complimentary entertainment available on both days.

Racing highlights include the Bottlegreen Grade 3 Hurdle on Friday 1st and the Ladbrokes Grade 1 Champion Chase on Saturday 2nd. With a total prize fund over the two days of €425,000, the title races are sure to lure a strong field over both days.

Day One

The festival has an exceptional role of honour including great chasers such as Kauto Star, Beef or Salmon, The Listener and Don Cossack. Taking place on the 3rd and 4th of November, the feature race is the Ladbrokes Champion Chase with a range of Grade 2 and 3 races throughout the two days including the competitive Feathard Lady Mares Hurdle won by Aintree Festival winner Brighterdaysahead in 2023.

With numerous private suits and hospitality packages to avail of throughout the racecourse it offers the ultimate race-day experience.

Children under 14 go free with a ticket holding adult. Please call the office to add children to your booking.


Group Bookings - Parties with 20 or more can avail of a £5pp discount off general admission. Please call the office to receive your discount.


OAP's can avail of £5pp discount off general admission.

Ladies Day

LADIES DAY - SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2023

Down Royal’s famous ‘Best Dressed Lady’ Competition, sponsored by Bottlegreen, takes place on Saturday 4th  of November and the winner will receive the ultimate ‘Shop, Stay and Spa’ weekend experience. 

Incredible Prizes to be won

The winner's package includes a luxurious overnight stay for two at the Culloden Estate & Spa including breakfast, a 50-minute ESPA spa treatment, a bottle of champagne and an eight-course tasting menu with accompanying wine pairings. The winner will then be treated to a shopping spree at Victoria Square with a Personal Shopping Experience, including a complimentary Colour Consultation, and a voucher worth £1,000 – all just in time for the Christmas festivities.

As well as this incredible prize, the top ten finalists will receive bottlegreen goodie bags worth £50. 

Expert Judges

The judging panel for the competition will include, Cool FM Presenter and fashion enthusiast Rebecca McKinney, 2023 Miss Northern Ireland winner Kaitlyn Clarke and Sarah Lawson, Head of Marketing at Bottlegreen Drinks (part of the SHS Group).

Getting there

By Road:

There is free car parking available to everyone attending Down Royal. All car parks are within a 5 minute walk of the turnstiles. Their postcode is BT27 5RW for Sat Nav. 

By Bus:

There is a return bus service operating direct from Belfast City Centre provided by Belfast Bus Company and departing from College Square North an hour and thirty minutes before the first race. After racing the bus will return to the City Centre from the racecourse an hour after the last race.

By Rail:
Heuston Station, Dublin has regular trains to Belfast Central Station which is the closest train station to the racecourse. Passengers can then get a bus to the racecourse.

By Air:

Belfast International Airport is only 27 minutes drive from the racecourse.

More about Down Royal Racecourse