The Emerald Isle is currently dominating racing across Britain and Ireland, under both codes.
Irish trainers Aidan O’Brien and Willie Mullins are the reigning champions on both sides of the Irish Sea, so if you want to keep a close eye on lots of the key form lines for the big races, watching the racing in Ireland is a very good idea.
We’ve got you covered and will explain how to watch racing in Ireland and what channels you might need.
There is nothing like watching the action unfold on the racetrack in person, however if you are unable to visit the races, no need to worry. All the major bookmakers offer a live streaming feature.
Here are the best Irish betting sites when it comes to accessing a reliable live stream.
Find the top free bets and betting offers, reviewed by our experts.
The majority of bookmakers provide a horse racing live streaming feature. However, you will need to meet one of the most important requirements to access it: you must open a betting account at one of these sites.
In case you have never registered at an online betting site, we will walk you through the process. The signup procedure is simple and typically lasts no longer than a few minutes.
One of the biggest advantages of joining an online betting site is that they also offer mobile apps. This means you can access the live stream even when you are out and about. Of course, a stable Internet connection is a must to make the most of it.
Though it is one way to do it, you don’t need a betting account to catch the action. From free TV to dedicated racing channels, here are your best options for watching horse racing live.
Every racecourse in Ireland is signed up to Racing TV so it’s the home of horse racing in Ireland. Owned by RMG (Racecourse Media Group), the channel operated as Racing UK until its 2018 rebrand.
Every Irish race is available to watch on the channel, including all the big meetings at the Curragh, Leopardstown and Punchestown. It’s a digital channel that requires a subscription, both annual and monthly price plans are available.
Other bonuses and benefits are included, such as free tickets to several meetings throughout the year and rewards4racing points. Those who have Virgin Media TV packages will find Racing TV on channel 536 in the UK and 412 in Ireland.
Don’t worry if you’re a Sky customer instead though, as Racing TV is available on channel 424. An online variant is also available and there’s plenty of extra content available.
The Irish national broadcaster, RTE, has an agreement with HRI to show 29 fixtures a year and that includes all of the big ones, such as the Punchestown and Galway Festivals, the Irish Grand National and the festive action from Leopardstown along with the Dublin Racing Festival.
It’s also possible on occasion to watch some of Ireland's top meetings on terrestrial television in Britain, as ITV racing often show live racing from the emerald isle. This offers a good gateway into Irish racing but serious fans would benefit from a Racing TV subscription.
For more information on betting horse racing see below:
We hope you found this guide to live streaming useful. If you still have questions, check out the answers to the most common queries below.
There are two main ways to watch online. Firstly, you can subscribe to a digital service like Racing TV, which allows you to watch on your computer or mobile device. On the other hand, you can use an online bookmaker. Most major betting sites offer live streams of races, provided you have an active account.
Almost all top-tier bookmakers provide high-quality streaming services with very little difference in picture quality or speed. The best one for you usually depends on which interface you find easiest to use or which welcome offer appeals to you most. Check the list in this article to see our top recommendations.
It depends on how you are watching. Standard TV broadcasts (like Racing TV on Sky or Virgin) are the closest to real-time, usually only delayed by a few seconds. However, if you are watching via an internet stream, whether through a bookmaker, the RTE Player, or an app, the delay is often longer (typically 10 to 30 seconds). This is important to remember if you are betting "in-play".
It depends on the source.
This depends on your provider. Due to broadcasting rights, many streams are "geo-blocked," meaning they will only work if you are physically located in Ireland or the UK. However, some subscription services may allow you to watch internationally.
You can stream almost all horse racing in Ireland and the UK, including major festivals like Cheltenham Festival, Punchestown, the Grand National, and Royal Ascot. Most sites also cover major international races, such as the Breeders’ Cup (USA) and the Melbourne Cup (Australia).
