Winter Festival 2025 at Fairyhouse: A New Era with BAR 1 Betting
The Winter Festival 2025 at Fairyhouse, proudly sponsored by BAR 1 Betting (formerly Bar One Racing), has firmly established itself as Ireland’s premier jumps racing fixture between September and Christmas. Featuring four graded races, including two Grade Ones, and offering close to €500,000 in prize money on Sunday alone, the festival continues to grow in quality, reputation, and excitement.
A Longstanding Partnership with Fairyhouse
BAR 1 Betting’s association with the festival dates back to 2006 through the sponsorship of the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. By 2008, the partnership deepened with the addition of two Grade One showpieces: the Drinmore Novice Chase and the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
This year, on Sunday, November 30th, BAR 1 Betting will sponsor the entire card, further strengthening one of Irish racing’s most successful sponsorships.
Over nearly two decades, the Winter Festival has expanded in stature, drawing higher-quality fields and producing some of the most significant performances in modern National Hunt racing.
Star-Studded Roll of Honour
The festival’s feature races have been won by some of the greatest names in jumps racing:
Royal Bond Novice Hurdle: Previous winners include Istabraq, Moscow Flyer, Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly, Jezki, and Nichols Canyon, all champions and many considered all-time greats.
Drinmore Novice Chase: Recent winners have included Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Don Cossack, Envoi Allen (now a triple Grade 1 Champion Chase winner at Down Royal), dual Grade 1 Marsh Chase winner Fakir d’Oudairies, and 2023’s victor I Am Maximus, who went on to win the Aintree Grand National.
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle: Named for Vincent O’Brien’s legendary Champion Hurdler, the race has been won by Danoli, Dorans Pride, Large Action, Istabraq, Limestone Lad, Solerina, Brave Inca, Hurricane Fly, Jezki, Apple’s Jade, Honeysuckle, Lossiemouth, and Teahupoo.
Apple’s Jade and Honeysuckle each completed remarkable hat-tricks in the race. Current star Teahupoo, winner in 2022 and 2023, will attempt a third success this year, with leading novice Ballyburn among the potential challengers.
The strength of these roll-of-honour lists demonstrates why the Winter Festival continues to be a highlight of the National Hunt season.
Weekend Highlights
Alongside the headline Grade Ones, Sunday’s programme also features:
- A €100,000 handicap hurdle
- The Porterstown Handicap Chase, run over the full Irish Grand National distance
- A handicap chase for female jockeys
- A Grade 3 juvenile hurdle
- A concluding Pro/Am Flat Race
Saturday’s action includes the Grade 3 Mullinam Hurdle and the €45,000 Easyfix Equine Handicap Chase, along with a Listed contest, for a total of €173,000 in prize money on the day.
Race times:
- Saturday: first race at 11:36 am
- Sunday: first race at 12:05 pm
Join Us for the 2025 Winter Festival
The 2025 Winter Festival at Fairyhouse promises two days of outstanding racing, top-class competition, and the unmistakable atmosphere that has made the meeting a standout on Ireland’s sporting calendar.
A new name, a new look, and a new era, but the same people, the same value, and the same passion from BAR 1 Betting.
Download the all-new BAR 1 Betting app ahead of the Winter Festival at Fairyhouse and earn €50 in free bets plus 20 free spins on the brand new BAR 1 Casino (New customers only).