Heavy Rain Forces Dublin Racing Festival Shake-Up

The opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown was supposed to be a celebration of top-class National Hunt racing, drawing crowds from both sides of the Irish Sea and promising a feast of Grade 1 action. Instead, it turned into a lesson in the unpredictability of winter weather and the resilience of the horse racing community, as relentless rainfall forced officials to abandon Saturday’s card, sending trainers, punters, and fans scrambling to adjust their plans.

Leopardstown had been battling the elements all week, with persistent rain saturating the ground and leaving large sections of the track waterlogged. The situation reached a tipping point after a further 17mm of rain fell overnight into Saturday, January 31, 2026. An early-morning inspection by clerk of the course Paddy Graffin and his team confirmed what many had feared: "Unfortunately since yesterday morning we’ve had a further 17mm, quite a lot of rain overnight and what appeared to be perfectly fine yesterday is now unraceable," Graffin stated on X. Standing water, cut-up ground, and slippery patches meant the surface was simply unsafe for horses and jockeys, especially given the high stakes and quality of the day’s scheduled races.

The decision to call off the opening day was made shortly after 7am, prioritizing the safety of all participants. The Grade 1-rich card, which included marquee events like the Irish Gold Cup and the Goffs Irish Arkle, was not lost to the void, however. In a swift response, Leopardstown and Horse Racing Ireland confirmed that the full Saturday programme would be moved to Monday, February 2, 2026, provided conditions improved. This meant stars such as Galopin Des Champs, Gaelic Warrior, and Romeo Coolio would have their chance to shine—just 48 hours later than planned.

The impact of the postponement rippled far beyond the parade ring. Trainers like Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott had meticulously prepared their horses to peak for Saturday’s contests. Now, they faced the challenge of tweaking feed, exercise, and travel schedules to keep their charges both fresh and sharp for a Monday showdown. For racegoers, especially the estimated 40% of ticket holders who had traveled from Britain, the news was an immediate blow. Social media buzzed with disappointed fans seeking alternative plans, with one writing, "Just landed in Dublin and Leopardstown is off. What pub is everyone in for the racing today?" Another echoed the sentiment: "Racing cancelled… another day in Dublin pubs it is!"

Recognizing the unique predicament of these traveling punters, bookmakers Paddy Power teamed up with The Camden pub in Dublin to turn disappointment into opportunity. The first 200 ticket holders through the door were offered a free pint of Guinness, a free bet, and a spin on Paddy’s Wonderwheel—a small but welcome consolation for those whose racing dreams had been put on hold. The event, starting at noon, quickly became the unofficial gathering spot for fans eager to salvage some craic from the day’s disruption.

Meanwhile, attention turned to the rest of the Dublin Racing Festival. Sunday’s card, featuring the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Dublin Chase, remained under threat, with another inspection scheduled for 8am on February 1. Forecasts predicted a further 2–5mm of rain for Saturday, but with hopes pinned on a drying spell thereafter. Clerk Paddy Graffin sounded a note of cautious optimism: "If we have a dry bright day today and it brought the track back to where we were yesterday, hopefully it will be okay and we can drive on, but it will need a bounce of the ball." The entire racing community waited anxiously, knowing that another abandonment could lead to further reshuffling—or even outright loss—of some festival highlights.

While Leopardstown’s opening day was washed out, other British tracks soldiered on, albeit with their own weather woes. Wetherby’s card was also cancelled due to a waterlogged track, but Sandown managed to pass a precautionary inspection at 7:30am, allowing the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase to proceed as planned. The Esher venue became the focus for many racing fans, with trainers, jockeys, and punters alike pivoting their attention. Notably, several top jockeys—including Sean Bowen, Paul Townend, and Jack Kennedy—made a dash back from Ireland to take up rides at Sandown after their intended mounts at Leopardstown were scratched.

Racing at Sandown provided a welcome distraction, with dramatic finishes and notable performances. Sean Bowen, for instance, landed a four-timer aboard Bollin Thou in the 2m4f novice handicap hurdle, while Dan Skelton’s Made U Blush scored comfortably at Musselburgh. Meanwhile, the betting markets were alive with speculation, particularly around Willie Mullins’ sole runner at Sandown, Kitzbuhel, whose odds drifted as punters sought value among his rivals. Paddy Power’s Paul Binfield observed, "I suppose the story is Kitzbuhel being friendless, drifting from odds on last night to a current 11-10, while all of his three rivals have shortened in the same time."

Back in Ireland, the mood was a mix of frustration and stoic acceptance. Leopardstown chief Mark Clayton expressed confidence that Sunday’s card could go ahead if the weather cooperated, while Graffin emphasized the extraordinary rainfall: "The rain that has fallen up the eastern side of the country is at record levels, so everywhere is saturated." Organizers brought in extra resources and worked tirelessly to give the meeting every chance, but ultimately, the fate of the festival rested with the weather gods.

For trainers, the two-day delay was a logistical headache but not a disaster. As one seasoned handler noted, "You just have to roll with it. It’s the same for everyone, and the welfare of the horses comes first." For fans—especially those who had crossed the Irish Sea in search of racing glory—the experience was a reminder of the sport’s deep connection to the land and the elements. Even the slickest-run festivals remain at the mercy of the weather, and sometimes all you can do is find a good pub, share a pint, and hope for better luck tomorrow.

With Sunday’s inspection looming and the rescheduled Grade 1s set for Monday, the story of the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival is still being written. Will the skies clear in time for the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Dublin Chase? Can the track recover for Monday’s showpiece events? For now, the racing world waits, watches the forecasts, and holds its collective breath.