Irish Oaks Race Guide

The Irish Oaks is one of Ireland’s premier flat racing events, and the counterpart to the English Classic, the Epsom Oaks. The Irish Oaks features a selection of the top runners in the English Oaks, as well as local thoroughbred talent.

The Irish Oaks is run during July at Curragh racecourse in County Kildare. Open only to 3-year old thoroughbred fillies, the Irish Oaks is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs - the same distance run in the Epsom Oaks Stakes.

In 1895, when the Irish Oaks was first run, the distance of the race was only 1 mile. The race distance was changed to 1 mile 4 furlongs in 1915, making the Irish Oaks the longest Irish Classic run by 3-year old thoroughbred fillies.

Irish Oaks Betting

The Irish Oaks is an important event in any serious punter’s diary. The race gives punters every opportunity to follow the form of runners, as many of the fillies participate in the 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks Stakes.

Ante-post betting markets for the Irish Oaks do not run for as long as those of the English equivalent, but prices should be available within a month before the race. Prices are likely to be dictated by performances in the relevant season, and as such are a fairly reliable guide to form and a horse’s prospects.

Punters need to look out for betting specials in the week prior to the running of the Irish Oaks, with Paddy Power most likely to bring betting special offers to the table. Each way bets, paying up to fifth place, can make a massive difference to payouts generated by this race.

Paddy Power Free £25 Bet
Paddy Power offers a £25 free bet to all new punters.

You can redeem this special free bet offer once you register and deposit some cash you will be entitled to £25 free bet with Paddy Power.

• Open an account with Paddy Power
• Deposit funds and place your first bet
• You are then given a £25 Free Bet!

Free Irish Oaks Bet at Paddy Power Paddy Power Review

Irish Oaks Winners

The Irish Oaks has been won by a number of top class thoroughbreds in recent years. 2004 Irish Oaks winner, Ouija Board, took the race in the wake of a victory in the Epsom Oaks, before going on to win the Princess Royal Stakes in 2005 and the Royal Ascot’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes in 2006. Alexandrova achieved an Irish Oaks/Epsom Oaks double in 2006.

Adian O’Brien has been the most successful trainer at the Irish Oaks during the past few years, training both the 2006 and 2007 winners. Amongst jockeys, Johnny Murtagh and Kieran Fallon have both shown a knack for winning this Group One race, capturing six of the last ten race titles between themselves.