An unforgettable weekend at the Irish Guineas & Coolmore Stud

There’s a special kind of thrill that comes with a race day at The Curragh Racecourse, and few fixtures capture it quite like the Irish Guineas Festival. As one of Ireland’s most prestigious flat racing events, it’s a firm favourite of ours to host Spectate guests at, combining world-class racing with a rich, longstanding breeding tradition that’s hard to match anywhere else in Europe.

This year’s Irish Guineas Tour offered more than just a front-row seat to the action. With private tours of leading stud farms — including a behind-the-scenes visit to the legendary Coolmore Stud — we immersed our guests in the heart of Ireland’s racing culture.

We caught up with our Product Executive, Emma, after hosting our 2025 tour last month to reflect on a weekend filled with standout performances, exclusive access and plenty of Irish charm.

Emma's 2025 Irish Guineas and Coolmore Stud Tour Review

What was your favourite moment from the Irish Guineas and Coolmore Stud Tour?

The tour was packed with memorable moments, so it's hard to choose just one. That said, standing in the Legacy Room at Coolmore was a special highlight. Learning about Galileo and seeing Sadler’s Wells honoured so thoughtfully was a powerful reminder of the impact the Coolmore Stud horses have had on equine bloodlines worldwide.

The private tour of the Coolmore Stud itself is a privilege that very few horse racing fans get, and it made the whole trip feel incredibly special.

And, of course, watching the 2000 Guineas live among a buzzing crowd of true racing fans was another; the atmosphere was electric, and you could feel the passion pouring out of fellow spectators as the horses thundered by. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I returned home!

What was the Irish 2000 Guineas Atmosphere like on Race Day?

Race day at The Curragh was simply magical. There’s something unique about the atmosphere there, no frills, just proper racing fans and world-class horses.

As you glance over the crowd you notice a real mix of locals, tourists, owners, and racing fanatics all coming together to celebrate a shared passion. It didn’t matter if it was your first time or your fiftieth, everyone was completely immersed in the action. It was a really authentic race day experience.

Is the Coolmore Stud Tour worth it?

Without a doubt, yes! I'd go as far as even saying it should be on every horse racing fan's bucket list.

The whole experience offered a rare and expertly curated insight into the world of horse breeding, delivered with exceptional polish and refinement."

Everything at Coolmore is pristine — the landscaping, the architecture, the stables — it's a reflection of how seriously they take their commitment to excellence.

The stallions were the stars of the show and seeing horses like Wootton Bassett and St Mark’s Basilica in person gave me goosebumps.

The staff were knowledgeable but also very down-to-earth, weaving in anecdotes that made the whole tour feel less like a formal visit and more like being part of the story. They spoke about the horses like they were family, which made the experience feel intimate and deeply personal.

Did you visit any other Stud farms?

Yes, we organised to visit the Kildangan Stud and the Irish National Stud Farm and Gardens on top of the Coolmore Stud, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed by our guests. All three studs were very different, so it was great to see all angles of how these winning horses were bred.

At the Kildangan Stud, we arranged a private tour hosted by its Managing Director, George Osborne, who kindly shed his insight on his most prized thoroughbreds.

Where did you stay?

We split our stay between The Horse and Jockey and the Killashee Hotel, and both brought something different. First, we stayed at The Horse and Jockey to visit the Coolmore Stud before ending our trip at the Killashee Hotel, closer to the Irish Guineas.

The Horse and Jockey

The Horse and Jockey is bursting with Irish charm. It's a traditional and cosy choice, ideally located if you’re visiting Coolmore or exploring Tipperary. The breakfast was generous and delicious, the team warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere was steeped in racing heritage.

The family-run pub attached to the hotel was a highlight for our guests; the owner proudly shared his racing stories from over the years and hosted us as if we were family, making it feel like a home away from home.

Killashee Hotel

The Killahee Hotel's stunning Victorian manor house had an elegant and relaxed feel, beautifully framed by those lush rolling hills of County Kildare. The surrounding grounds were meticulously manicured too and really set the tone for what was a pristine stay with brilliant service.

The Spa here was exceptional, and a relaxing massage and pamper was just the ticket to unwind after an action-packed day at the races.

What is included in an Irish Guineas and Coolmore Stud Tour with Spectate?

Enjoy a seamless, fully curated itinerary that includes return flights, four nights in handpicked hotels, all private transfers, two exclusive stud farm visits and racecourse admission across the Irish Guineas weekend. With everything arranged and a dedicated tour representative on hand throughout, this is an exceptional way to experience elite racing alongside rare access to Ireland’s most prestigious breeding operations.

Included in your Irish Guineas experience with Spectate:

• Return flights to Dublin in economy
• 4 nights' accommodation
• Racing at The Curragh on Sat & Sun
• Coolmore Stud Visit
• Kildangan Stud Visit
• Transfers throughout
• Assistance of our representatives throughout

Book your next horse racing holiday with Spectate.

Join us and fellow horseracing enthusiasts in experiencing the passionate atmosphere of the Irish flats and beyond.

With our first-hand experience and knowledge of all-things horseracing and the best races in the world, we can create the perfect horseracing holiday for you, with tailored extensions so you can explore more.

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