The Leopardstown weather forecast at the moment makes grim reading – which has led to concern for horse racing fans ahead of this weekend’s two-day Dublin Racing Festival.
With the track having been hit by storm Chandra this week and up to 165mm of race in the last 12 days.
Parts Of Leopardstown Currently Waterlogged…..With DRF In The Balance ☔
Horse racing fans will be hoping the weather forecasters are right, and that the recent storms and rain which has hit Dublin will ease in the coming days.
This is because a recent tweet from the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has told us parts of the Leopardstown track are WATERLOGGED.
The Dublin track will play host to one of their biggest race days of the year this weekend – with the Dublin Racing Festival 2026 staged over Saturday and Sunday.
As top trainers like Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will provide punters with more clues on some of their big 2026 Cheltenham Festival stars.
However, with the rain having been relentless in Ireland and Dublin, the Leopardstown weather forecast at the moment is getting punters jittery.
With one racing fan posting this video on X on Tuesday morning.
Leopardstown going, yielding to soft on the chase course pic.twitter.com/9cPXJ25Na7
— Padraig Donnelly (@Padraigdonn11) January 27, 2026
Leopardstown Hit With 165mm Of Rain In The Last 12 Days
Leopardstown has reported 58mm of rain in the last 24 hours (Monday into Tuesday) and 165mm in the last 12 days.
Resulting in parts of the Leopardstown track currently waterlogged and unraceable, if the Dublin Racing Festival was on now.
With the hurdles track at the moment described at soft-to-heavy.
The great news is the track has worked wonders on Tuesday during the day and provided this video update in the evening.
Full marks to the course and ground-staff – looks like the DRF is back on track (providing there are no more heavy downpours!)
An update from Leopardstown this evening.
Huge credit to our track team who worked tirelessly today. Thanks to their work, water pumps and local drainage, the water has nearly all cleared.
We look forward to an exciting weekend of racing.@ihrb_ie @HRIRacing pic.twitter.com/DZEI6xO3k5
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) January 27, 2026
Leopardstown CEO Mark Clayton added
“Of course we have to remain cautious, but we have no contingencies planned as given the forecast at the moment, it gives us complete optimism we will be racing both Saturday and Sunday.”
Clerk of the course Paddy Graffin adding
“I’m going to look at the course tomorrow and things look a bit more favourable. I’m hopeful that the drains and Mother Nature will do their thing.
“The worst of the rain is now behind us. Although, as it stands, the forecasters are even unsure. That part of the country where Leopardstown is has probably had the worst of it. I believe they were walking through deep water today.
“Giving it a chance, and knowing the worst is behind us, we can hope things work for us, but at the moment it is waterlogged and unraceable. Hopefully we’ll see improvement tomorrow.”
Rain Expected To Ease Before The Dublin Racing Festival
But the better news is that forecasters are suggesting the worst of the weather is over – with IHRB saying “the heaviest rain is now passed, according to the forecast”.
Then with some breezy days ahead and mainly turning dry from Thursday (some light rain) and over the weekend – the track officials are hopeful the track will drain well.
Following 58mm of rain in the last 24hrs (165mm in last 12 days), parts of the track at @LeopardstownRC (Saturday & Sunday) are now waterlogged. Heaviest rain has now passed according to forecast. Breezy with possibility of light showers today & tomorrow. Mainly dry early…
— IHRB (@ihrb_ie) January 27, 2026
You can also keep updated with all the UK and Ireland horse racing cancellations and inspections here.
Dublin and Leopardstown Weather Forecast 🌧️
You can see below the expected weather forecast for the Dublin area according to the BBC.
The heavy rain will continue on Tuesday, but despite some lighter rain later in the week, things are expected to ease up.
Racegoers are probably will best advised to carry a brolly and dress accordingly – but it’s unlikely they will be needing the sunglasses.
What Is The Leopardstown Going for DRF 2026? 🏇
The Leopardstown going ahead of the Dublin Racing Festival 2026 is as follows.
- CHASE COURSE – Yielding To Soft
- HURDLES COURSE – Soft-To-Heavy
When Is The Dublin Racing Festival 2026? 🇮🇪
🗓️DATE: Sat 31st Jan and Sun 1st Feb, 2026
🏟️COURSE: Leopardstown
📺TV: RTV and ITV Racing Schedule
Dublin Racing Festival Race Schedule and Times 2026 ⌚🗓️
Saturday 31st January 2026
ITV Racing will also show the Irish Gold Cup on Saturday.
- 1:15: Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m6½f RTV
- 1:50: Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo) 2m RTV
- 2:25: Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+ 0-150) 3m½f RTV
- 2:55: Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m1f RTV / ITV
- 3:30: Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 3m½f RTV / ITV
- 4:05: Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (5yo+ 0-150) 2m1f RTV
- 4:40: DRF Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) (4-7yo) 2m RTV
See some Dublin Racing Festival betting specials – that include from Leopardstown/Cheltenham doubles.
Sunday 1st February 2025
There will be four races LIVE on ITV Racing at the DRF on Sunday.
- 12:40: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy And Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+) 2m2f RTV
- 1:10: Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m5½f RTV /ITV
- 1:40: Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m RTV / ITV
- 2:10: Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m1f RTV / ITV
- 2:45: O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+) 2m5½f RTV /ITV
- 3:20: Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) 2m RTV /ITV
- 3:50: Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+ 0-150) 2m RTV
- 4:27: Coolmore N.H. Sires Luxembourg Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) (4-7yo) 2m RTV
