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The first Irish Classics of the summer are upon us as the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas take place at the 2025 Tattersalls Irish Guineas Weekend at the Curragh.

The track plays host to three days of racing between Friday 23 May and Sunday 25 May, with plenty of exciting action for fans to follow including multiple Group races and off-track entertainment.

Here is everything you need to know for Guineas weekend.

What are the 1,000 Guineas and the 2,000 Guineas?

The 1,000 Guineas is open to fillies only, while the 2,000 Guineas is hosts to colts and fillies.

When does racing take place?

Action at the Curragh runs across Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May/ Friday has seven races on the card, with the first race getting underway at 5.10pm and the final race going to post at 8.25pm.

The feature is the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes at 6.55pm.

The jewel in Saturday's nine-race bonanza is the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas that goes at 3.40pm.

The Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes is also part of the stacked card and goes to post at 3.05pm.

Sunday concludes the weekend’s action with eight races, including a pair of Group 1s in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (3.05pm) and the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (3.40pm).

Who are the contenders?

Field of Gold goes in as the current favourite for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas, having finished second in the British equivalent at Newmarket earlier this month.

The John & Thady Gosden-trained horse is currently odds-on for victory, 11 years since John Gosden claimed his first and only victory in the race to date with Kingman. Reigning champion jockey Colin Keane has been handed the ride on the favourite.

Cosmic Year, trained by Harry Charlton, leads the rest of the card at 4/1 while Officer is the most fancied of Aidan O’Brien’s 16 runners at 6/1.

Ruling Court, winner of the British 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is priced at 6/1 as trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick aim repeat their 2022 victory.
Appleby has also entered British 1,000 Guineas winner Desert Flower into Sunday’s

Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, who is currently priced at 10/1 for victory at the Curragh.

Aidan O’Brien’s Lake Victoria is the favourite at 6/4 having finished sixth in Newmarket three weeks ago.

Ollie Sangster’s Flight, second in Newmarket, is the third favourite at 6/1 behind Swelter at 7/2, as Dermot Weld looks to make it three wins in four years.

Sangster also runs Simmering, third in Newmarket, who is priced at 7/1, and Ger Lyons’ Red Letter is at 6/1.

The Tattersalls Gold Cup sees King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath and Champion Stakes winner Anmaat amongst the runners alongside last year’s winner White Birch, who will look to become the first horse since Magical in 2020 to earn back-to-back victories.

What else is on?

The Curragh is also home to wide range of entertainment alongside the racing, with live music set to soundtrack the weekend.

An Ultimate Classics After Party is available for racegoers after the last race on Friday night, while the Ramblin’ Rovers will provide some traditional Irish tunes on Saturday.

The Carnival at the Curragh on Sunday, which is the designated Family Day, will provide a wide range of rides and events for younger racegoers.

Those looking to dress to impress could also be in with a chance to win a stay at Ashford Castle, Co. Galway.

Where can I buy tickets?

Find more information here.