The prestigious Leopardstown racecourse has been left partially waterlogged after being deluged by 60mm of torrential rain, casting uncertainty over the upcoming Dublin Racing Festival scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday. This critical event in the jumps racing calendar, which typically attracts crowds of 35,000 spectators, serves as a major preparatory meeting ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
Storm Chandra's Impact on the Track
Storm Chandra unleashed its fury on the course earlier this week, dumping 60mm of rain that rendered the track unraceable on Tuesday. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) confirmed the situation, stating: "Following 58mm of rain in the last 24 hours (165mm in the last 12 days), parts of the track at Leopardstown are now waterlogged."
Video footage shared on social media platform X revealed the extensive nature of the waterlogging, with substantial sections of the chase course submerged under standing water. The visual evidence clearly showed large areas of the track transformed into temporary ponds, raising serious concerns about racing conditions.
CEO's Optimistic Outlook Despite Challenges
Despite the challenging conditions, Leopardstown's newly appointed CEO Mark Clayton has expressed what he described as "complete optimism" that the two-day festival will proceed as planned. Clayton explained that while Monday's rainfall significantly exceeded forecasts—receiving 60mm when only 45mm was predicted for both Monday and Tuesday—the weather outlook appears more favorable moving forward.
"The storm is pretty much blowing through now and we're confident given the forecast we will be racing both days," Clayton stated. "This is amazing given the volume of rain, and I'm not sure many tracks in Britain or Ireland would be able to withstand that amount."
Weather Forecast and Recovery Prospects
According to meteorological reports, the heaviest rainfall has now passed, with breezy conditions and possible light showers expected through Wednesday. The forecast indicates mainly dry conditions developing early Thursday before rain returns Thursday night, followed by predominantly dry weather leading into the weekend.
Clayton emphasized the track's resilience, noting: "We have no contingencies planned as given the current forecast, it gives us complete optimism we will be racing both Saturday and Sunday." He added that the unexpected intensity of Monday's rainfall—60mm compared to the forecasted 45mm over two days—created the current challenging situation.
Racing Significance and Star Attractions
The Dublin Racing Festival represents one of the most important events in the National Hunt racing calendar, featuring championship contenders including Willie Mullins-trained stars Galopin Des Champs and Lossiemouth. The meeting serves as a crucial final test for many horses and jockeys before the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Clayton acknowledged the extraordinary rainfall the course has endured recently, remarking: "I joked with the team when I first met them that I had been to the track numerous times over the last year and not seen any rain. Well, in the last 12 days we've seen 160mm of rain, and on Monday we had 60mm of torrential rain."
While caution remains necessary given the unpredictable nature of weather patterns, the racecourse management maintains confidence that drainage systems and improving conditions will allow the prestigious event to proceed, ensuring racing enthusiasts can enjoy the weekend's scheduled competitions.
