Downpatrick Racing Today: Racecards, Results and Fixtures

Today

This page has today's race card, live results, the full fixture list and our racing tips, along with a guide to the oldest racecourse in Ireland.

Set in the County Down countryside about a mile outside the town, it is one of only two racecourses in Northern Ireland. It stages National Hunt racing only, from the Ulster National in March through to its final meeting in October.

Downpatrick Racecards for Today

The Downpatrick race card today lists every runner and rider, along with recent form and the latest odds. It updates from final declarations right up to the off, so non-runners and going changes show as soon as they're announced. Downpatrick race results are added as each race is settled, and tomorrow's Downpatrick race card appears once declarations close.

Downpatrick Racing Fixtures 2026

The track holds 10 race meetings a year, including a summer festival and several evening cards. The final meeting of the 2026 season is on Friday 9 October.

Downpatrick Racing Tips

If you're looking for Downpatrick racing tips for today, here are some general tips to keep in mind for the track:

• Look for proven course form: Downpatrick is a narrow, tight and undulating right-handed track, and it's often described as a course for specialists. Horses that have already won or placed here tend to handle it much better than those running at the track for the first time.
• Back horses that race prominently: With tight bends and a long downhill run before the second-last, it's hard to make up ground from the rear. Front runners have been a profitable angle in bigger-field handicap hurdles, and in bumpers, most winners have raced on or close to the pace.
• Make sure they stay the uphill finish: There's a run-in of about two furlongs from the last fence, and it climbs steadily to the line. Horses that have done too much too soon often fade near the finish, so look for proven stayers, especially on soft ground.
• Favour handy, balanced jumpers: Some obstacles are jumped at an angle, and the two fences in the home straight come up quickly one after another. Neat, agile jumpers have a big advantage over big horses that need room to measure their fences.
• Respect the strong favourites: Favourites have a good record in non-handicap races at Downpatrick, winning around 40% of the time over jumps and even more often in maiden hurdles. In lower-grade handicaps, the market is much less reliable.
• Follow the trainers who target the track: Gordon Elliott has trained more Downpatrick winners than anyone else, while Willie Mullins and Noel Meade have the best strike rates. Gavin Cromwell and some of Northern Ireland's smaller local yards also send runners here regularly, and they often do well.
• Check the going before backing: The undulating ground can ride very differently after rain. Fixtures in March and October are more likely to be run on soft ground than the summer evening meetings, so always check the latest going report on the day.

Downpatrick Race Course Guide

The Downpatrick race course is a right-handed track with a circuit of about 1¼ miles. It's narrow and undulating, with tight bends throughout, and it feels almost circular rather than a true oval. There are six fences per circuit on the chase course, while the hurdles course runs inside it and follows a similar line.

After the second fence, the ground rises gradually, then climbs steeply before the third. From there it runs downhill past the next fence and swings into the straight, where the last two fences come close together. The final climb to the line is a real test of stamina at any distance, and horses that drop too far behind early in the race rarely get back into contention.

Draw and Ground

There are no starting stalls in jump racing, so the draw isn't a factor at Downpatrick. Because the track is so narrow and tight, though, a good position early in the race really matters. Horses that get a good spot on the inside and are close to the pace coming down the hill are in the best position to win, while those caught wide on the bends lose ground they can't make up.

Downpatrick races from March to October, so most meetings are run on good or yielding ground. The spring and autumn fixtures can be much softer, and on testing ground the uphill finish becomes even more demanding. Meetings are occasionally abandoned after heavy rain, so it's worth checking for inspection news on race days with a poor forecast.

The Randox Ulster National

The Ulster National is the biggest race at Downpatrick and one of the most famous handicap chases in Northern Ireland. It's run over about 3 miles 4½ furlongs, with 16 fences, and it's usually held in late March. It has been a regular trial for the Irish Grand National in recent years and has been run at Downpatrick since 1939. Randox, which also sponsors the Grand National at Aintree, has sponsored the race since 2020, and its current deal runs until 2029.

The race has a strong link with Aintree. Caughoo won the Ulster National in 1945 and 1946 before winning the Grand National in 1947, and Pineau de Re won at Downpatrick in 2013 before landing the Grand National a year later. In 1962, the Queen Mother came to watch her horse Laffy win the race. The 2026 Ulster National went to Born Braver, trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Keith Donoghue, at 15/2.

History

Downpatrick is the oldest racecourse in Ireland. Its first race meeting was held in 1685, under a charter from King James II, which set up the Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders in the County of Down. Racing first took place at a course a few miles away, before moving to the current site at Ballydugan Road more than 150 years ago.

Although it's in Northern Ireland, Downpatrick is governed by Horse Racing Ireland, since racing on the island is run on an all-Ireland basis. Flat racing was dropped from the programme some time ago, and Downpatrick is now one of only three Irish racecourses that host National Hunt racing only.

Top Trainers and Jockeys at Downpatrick

Gordon Elliott is the most successful trainer at Downpatrick, with 173 National Hunt winners from 947 runners (18%). Noel Meade (77 winners, 23%) and Willie Mullins (72 winners, 27%) have better strike rates from fewer runners. Gavin Cromwell has trained 40 winners at the course and won the 2026 Ulster National.

Among the jockeys, Paul Carberry and Davy Russell lead the way with 50 winners each, just ahead of Ruby Walsh on 49. Of the current riders, Jack Kennedy has the best record, with 33 winners at the course. Source: IrishRacing.com.

Visiting Downpatrick Racecourse

Downpatrick Racecourse is at 24 Ballydugan Road, Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 6TE. It's about 35 km from Belfast, so it's an easy drive down the A2, and Belfast International is the nearest airport. There's no train station in Downpatrick, but bus services link the town with Belfast and Newry.

Tickets can be bought in advance through the racecourse website. Besides the Ulster National, the most popular fixtures are the two-day summer festival in June, Family Day in July and Ladies Day in late August. The course has a 500-seat hospitality suite and private boxes for groups. There's no formal dress code at Downpatrick races, although many racegoers dress up on Ladies Day.

Watching Downpatrick Racing Live

Every Downpatrick meeting is shown live on Racing TV, which covers all Irish racing in the UK and Ireland. Many bookmakers also offer free live streams of Downpatrick races to customers who have a funded account or have placed a bet on the race.

Bookmakers for Downpatrick Races

All the major UK and Irish bookmakers price up every race at Downpatrick. Look for Best Odds Guaranteed on Irish racing, which pays out at the starting price if it's bigger than the odds you took. For the Ulster National and bigger handicaps, it's also worth checking for extra place offers and non-runner no bet concessions.

Downpatrick Racing FAQs

Is Downpatrick racing on today?

Downpatrick races on 10 days a year between March and October. Check the fixtures table above. If there's racing at Downpatrick today, the race card and race times appear at the top of this page.

When is the next Downpatrick race meeting?

The final Downpatrick meeting of 2026 is on Friday 9 October. The 2027 season will start again in the spring with the Ulster National.

Are the Downpatrick races abandoned today?

Downpatrick occasionally has to abandon meetings after heavy rain or waterlogging. Any inspection or abandonment is shown on this page and on the racecourse's social media as soon as it's announced.

Where can I find Downpatrick race results?

Downpatrick racing results are added to this page as each race is run, including the winners and starting prices. Results from earlier meetings remain available afterwards.

Is there flat racing at Downpatrick?

No. Downpatrick stages National Hunt racing only, which means hurdles, chases and bumpers.

What is the biggest race at Downpatrick?

The Randox Ulster National, run over about 3m 4½f in late March, is the feature race of the Downpatrick season.

When is Ladies Day at Downpatrick races?

Ladies Day is usually held in late August. In 2026, it was on Monday 31 August.

Is Downpatrick the oldest racecourse in Ireland?

Yes. Racing at Downpatrick dates back to 1685, which makes it the oldest racecourse in Ireland.

Can I watch Downpatrick races live?

Yes, every Downpatrick meeting is shown on Racing TV, and many bookmakers also stream the races online.