The Irish Cesarewitch is a stamina-sapping contest with a generous prize pot and 888sport look at the total breakdown of prize money for the big race.
Worth hundreds of thousands of euros to the winner, and coming in at a distance of 2m½f, it’s the longest race held at the Curragh and one of many staying contests held in the autumn months across the Ireland and the UK.
Modelled on the English Cesarewitch at Newmarket, this Irish counterpart is a flat race designed to test stamina and horse racing odds on the contest will be available in due course.
Because the race requires incredible staying power, it’s entries include a mix of top flat racers and high-profile National Hunt horses that are also dual purpose. Powerful Irish stables like Willie Mullins and Joseph O'Brien heavily target the race.
Irish Cesarewitch Prize Money Breakdown
The 2026 Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh features a total guaranteed prize fund of €500,000. Under the auspices of the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) race conditions, the prize purse is distributed all the way down to 10th place.
- 1st Place €275,000 (Penalty Value: €269,500)
- 2nd Place €100,000
- 3rd Place €50,000
- 4th Place €25,000
- 5th Place €15,000
- 6th Place €10,000
- 7th Place €7,500
- 8th Place €7,500
- 9th Place €5,000
- 10th Place €5,000
Irish Cesarewitch Race Conditions
- Rating: The race is restricted to horses officially rated 0–110.
- Experience: To qualify, a horse must have run four or more times under any Rules of Racing by the designated August deadline.
- Stamina Minimum: Horses must have had at least one run over a distance of 11 furlongs (approx. 1m3f) or more within the previous 13–14 months leading up to the race. This prevents unexposed sprinters/milers from being entered to deliberately manipulate the handicap.
Weights and Penalties
- Minimum Weight: The lowest weight a horse can carry is 8st 7lb.
- Weight-for-Age Allowance: Three-year-olds receive a 9lb allowance when competing against horses aged four and older.
- Win Penalties: To prevent horses from being allocated their proper handicap mark after a recent victory, a runner carries a 7lb penalty for winning a race after the weights are published, and a 10lb penalty for winning two or more.
How many runners in the Irish Cesarewitch?
- Safety Limit: The race has a maximum field size of 30 runners (plus up to three designated reserves).
Irish Cesarewitch Antepost Tips 2026
THE REVEREND is firmly on track to make his return from injury in the Irish staying feature. After recovering from a hairline pelvic fracture suffered just before the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Willie Mullins apparently has the five-year-old spot on.
Also owned by Tony Bloom, the progressive stayer MYTHICAL BAY remains a confirmed entry and both horses will be well supported in the betting and are potential winners of this autumn handicap.
