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The biggest and best event of the year at Curraheen Park draws to an exciting conclusion this weekend as Cork hosts the Final on the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels on Saturday 17th October.
Be part of the action and enjoy a great night out in Cork. Book a Restaurant Meal or gather the gang and take advantage of one of our great value Group Admission Offers.
Be part of the action and excitement this Saturday night as our €30,000 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels winner is decided.
Doors Open 6pm
LIVE MUSIC after racing with exciting Cork band Emerson
Be sure to have your free virtual race programme to hand and follow all the action.
The virtual race card programme looks best when viewed fullscreen. Click on the square icon in the middle on mobile, or on the right-hand side on desktop, to view fullscreen.
If you cannot see the embedded card above, click here to view in fullscreen.
From a track record in the opening round to a dramatic dead heat in the Semi-Finals, the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels has certainly brought the drama.
Following Tuesday morning's re-run, Magical Jet secured the final place in Saturday night's Laurels Final by defeating Ballycowen Moon.
The six finalists for the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels are Slick Sanctuary, Sure Exile, Droopys Unreal, Ballymac Setanta, Ballymac Kamala and Magical Jet.
Following the conclusion of the re-run, the draw was made for Saturday night's €30,000 Final.
1 Slick Sanctuary
Owner: K. R. Allsop
Trainer: Karol Ramsbottom
Breeder: Peter Comerford
2 Sure Exile
Owner: Andrew Lynch
Trainer: Andrew Lynch
Breeder: Andrew Lynch
3 Droopys Unreal
Owner: The Actindamaggot Syndicate
Trainer: Ian Reilly
Breeder: Sean Dunphy
4 Ballymac Setanta
Owner: Liam Dowling
Trainer: Liam Dowling
Breeder: Liam Dowling
5 Ballymac Kamala
Owner: Liam Dowling
Trainer: Liam Dowling
Breeder: Liam Dowling
6 Magical Jet
Owner: Patrick & Donal Guilfoyle
Trainer: Patrick Guilfoyle
Breeder: Patrick Guilfoyle
Nothing beats being there and being part of the action but we know that sometimes that's just not possible so if you can't make it, here's how you can watch the BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels Final.
Virgin Media Two will be broadcasting Curraheen Park's biggest competition live for the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels Final on Saturday 17th October.
The programme will once again be hosted by Ivan Yates and is a must watch!
Watch it on TV on:
Virgin Media: Channel 103
Vodafone: Channel 105
Sky: Channel 105
Not in Ireland? Good news - the live TV show will be available online for worldwide viewing via Virgin Media Play. We recommend you log on in advance to register so you don't miss a minute of the action.
Get Ready, Get Set, Go Greyhound Racing at Curraheen Park. Enjoy a delicious meal in our restaurant while you cheer home your favourite! Our restaurant is glass-fronted so you have the perfect view of the racing action outside.
Be part of the action as you cheer home your favourite from the stand or enjoy a bite to eat or a drink from our ground floor facilities. Click below to book admission and casual group packages.
Want to speak to someone to plan a night out that best suits your needs? Email our Sales Team now on sales@grireland.ie or call 021 242 9200.
Keep up to date with the latest news on the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels and all of our racing on Talking Dogs.
The 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels takes place in Cork's Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium.
We're conveniently located just off the N40, near Bishopstown and in easy access of both Cork City and County. Check the map below for your travel options. If you're driving, parking is free in Curraheen Park on race nights.
1st Round Trap Draw: Monday 21st September
1st Round: Saturday 26th September
Quarter Finals: Saturday 3rd October
Semi-Finals: Saturday 10th October
Final: Saturday 17th October
The countdown is on to one of Irish greyhound racing's most prestigious competitions following the official launch of the BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium on Monday, 14th September.
A cornerstone of the Irish racing calendar, the Laurels has long been regarded as one of the sport's premier events, attracting many of the country's leading greyhounds and racing enthusiasts to Cork each year. The 2026 renewal promises another thrilling series when the competition gets underway on Saturday, 27th September, culminating in the final on Saturday 17th October, that will once again be broadcast live on Virgin Media Television, with coverage hosted by Ivan Yates and Ian Fortune.
The continued sponsorship of the competition by BAR 1 Betting follows the success of the recent BAR 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk Stadium. The sponsorship was secured through the efforts of the Friends of Curraheen Park, who partnered with BAR 1 Betting two years ago to support and grow one of Cork's most cherished sporting events.
Speaking ahead of the opening round, BAR 1 Betting CEO Barney O'Hare said, "We're delighted to once again support the Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park. Last year's competition really captured the imagination, not only of the sporting public in Cork, who are such fantastic supporters of the event every year, but of the wider public too, with David and Paudie Clifford's Solo And Go reaching the final”, he continued, "To have Virgin Media once again committing to broadcast the final is fantastic news, and we're proud to play our part in continuing to support Irish greyhound racing, particularly off the back of another thrilling BAR 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk Stadium. Between the Sprint Cup, Irish Derby and the Laurels, this is such an exciting period in the calendar for lovers of the sport, and we can't wait for the competition to get underway."
Welcoming the launch of the competition, Greyhound Racing Ireland CEO Tim Lucey thanked Barney O’Hare, BAR 1 Betting and the Friends of Curraheen Park for their support. "The Irish Laurels is one of the great sporting events in Cork and a competition with a proud tradition within Irish greyhound racing. We are extremely grateful to BAR 1 Betting for their continued commitment to the event and to greyhound racing generally”, he continued, "I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable role played by the Friends of Curraheen Park, whose efforts and partnership with BAR 1 Betting have helped ensure the continued success of this iconic competition over the past two years.
With substantial prize money, national television coverage and a rich history stretching back decades, the BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels continues to hold a special place in Irish greyhound racing. Racing enthusiasts can look forward to several weeks of high-quality action as the journey begins towards what promises to be a memorable final night at Curraheen Park.
The trap draw for the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels takes place on Monday 21st September at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium with the opening round on Saturday 27th September and the final on Saturday 17th October.
As we look forward to the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Laurels Final, let's look back on last year's terrific winner and a memorable Final night in Cork.
It was a magical night in Curraheen Park on Saturday 8th November as a huge crowd gathered for the conclusion of the 2025 Bar 1 Betting Irish Laurels, in partnership with Friends and Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing.
Trainer Patrick Guilfoyle hugs handler Jayden Loughnane as he leads Magical On Fire back to the winner's podium in front of a packed stand in Cork's Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium
The final line-up featured some of the best greyhounds in training, but a dramatic finish went the way of Magical On Fire who just pipped Solo and Go on the line. She claimed the €30,000 winner's prize for her owner, trainer and breeder Patrick Guilfoyle, handing him his second Laurels title.
Magical on Fire's win was the fastest win in the final of Cork's biggest racing event, stopping the clock in 27.93.
A huge crowd were in Curraheen Park on Saturday 8th November to witness a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Bar 1 Betting Irish Laurels, in parternship with Friends and Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing.
Magical On Fire certainly lived up to her name as she took the title in dramatic fashion, clocking the fastest final win in the history of the competition.
Join us now to look back on the Final and the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial Final, plus a chat with winning Laurels trainer Patrick Guilfoyle.
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