Angela Scanlon leads celebrity line-up at Irish Champions Festival launch
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
The highly anticipated Irish Champions Festival, which takes place at Leopardstown and The Curragh on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, was officially launched last night during an exclusive, star-studded event at Lennan’s Yard in Dublin, with broadcaster Angela Scanlon in attendance as VIP guest.
Hosted by avid racing fan Hector Ó hEochagáin, the event marked the countdown to Ireland's premier Flat racing weekend. The evening brought together the worlds of elite racing, Irish entertainment and high fashion to celebrate Irish Champions Festival, which remains one of the crown jewels of the international horse racing calendar.
The launch attracted a vibrant crowd from across the Irish media landscape, alongside major racing personalities and fashion influencers, to preview Irish Champions Festival, one of the elite sporting and social events of the year.
Guests were welcomed at Lennan’s Yard, one of the only remaining former stables and coach houses from the Georgian Dublin era. The venue is named in honour of saddler William Lennan, who was highly regarded as a master of his craft. Guests enjoyed a curated evening of live entertainment, bespoke hospitality, and a lively Q&A with Hector, Angela Scanlon and racing stars Dylan Browne McMonagle and Colin Keane detailing what fans can expect from Irish Champions Festival this September.
Other guests on the night included broadcasters Elaine Crowley and Meghann Scully, lifestyle influencers Kwanele Nomoyi and Rosalind Lipsett, stylists Mandy Maher and Cathy O’Connor, and entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 2026 Honouree Dr Aghogho Okpara, who enjoyed a sunny evening of drinks and canapés, served to the soundtrack of DJ Jamie Byrne.
Irish Champions Festival takes place across two days of world-class racing at Leopardstown on Saturday, September 12, and The Curragh on Sunday, September 13. It is the peak of Ireland's Flat racing season, bringing together elite global horse racing, with over €5 million in prize money across the weekend. This year’s programme features seven Group 1 races among the 17 races and includes the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at The Curragh – the last Classic Flat race of the season. In addition, the festival offers spectators premium fashion, live music, and cultural activations across both world-renowned racecourses.
“There really is nothing quite like the energy of a big sporting weekend at home in Ireland, and having a world-class horse racing event like Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown and the Curragh is very special,” said VIP guest Angela Scanlon.
“The style and, of course, the epic people watching make it such a brilliant weekend! It was such a pleasure to help kick off the celebrations at Lennan’s Yard last night.”
Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, commented: “The countdown to Irish Champions Festival is well and truly on. The festival represents the pinnacle of Flat racing in Ireland, showcasing our world-class horses, trainers, jockeys and racecourses. Upgraded to feature seven Group 1 races this year, it is a brilliant opportunity to bring racing fans, newcomers and the wider community together in anticipation of one of the most exciting weekends in the Irish sporting calendar.”
To buy tickets and plan your day at the races, visit https://www.irishchampionsfestival.ie/
Hosted by avid racing fan Hector Ó hEochagáin, the event marked the countdown to Ireland's premier Flat racing weekend. The evening brought together the worlds of elite racing, Irish entertainment and high fashion to celebrate Irish Champions Festival, which remains one of the crown jewels of the international horse racing calendar.
The launch attracted a vibrant crowd from across the Irish media landscape, alongside major racing personalities and fashion influencers, to preview Irish Champions Festival, one of the elite sporting and social events of the year.
Guests were welcomed at Lennan’s Yard, one of the only remaining former stables and coach houses from the Georgian Dublin era. The venue is named in honour of saddler William Lennan, who was highly regarded as a master of his craft. Guests enjoyed a curated evening of live entertainment, bespoke hospitality, and a lively Q&A with Hector, Angela Scanlon and racing stars Dylan Browne McMonagle and Colin Keane detailing what fans can expect from Irish Champions Festival this September.
Other guests on the night included broadcasters Elaine Crowley and Meghann Scully, lifestyle influencers Kwanele Nomoyi and Rosalind Lipsett, stylists Mandy Maher and Cathy O’Connor, and entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 2026 Honouree Dr Aghogho Okpara, who enjoyed a sunny evening of drinks and canapés, served to the soundtrack of DJ Jamie Byrne.
Irish Champions Festival takes place across two days of world-class racing at Leopardstown on Saturday, September 12, and The Curragh on Sunday, September 13. It is the peak of Ireland's Flat racing season, bringing together elite global horse racing, with over €5 million in prize money across the weekend. This year’s programme features seven Group 1 races among the 17 races and includes the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at The Curragh – the last Classic Flat race of the season. In addition, the festival offers spectators premium fashion, live music, and cultural activations across both world-renowned racecourses.
“There really is nothing quite like the energy of a big sporting weekend at home in Ireland, and having a world-class horse racing event like Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown and the Curragh is very special,” said VIP guest Angela Scanlon.
“The style and, of course, the epic people watching make it such a brilliant weekend! It was such a pleasure to help kick off the celebrations at Lennan’s Yard last night.”
Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, commented: “The countdown to Irish Champions Festival is well and truly on. The festival represents the pinnacle of Flat racing in Ireland, showcasing our world-class horses, trainers, jockeys and racecourses. Upgraded to feature seven Group 1 races this year, it is a brilliant opportunity to bring racing fans, newcomers and the wider community together in anticipation of one of the most exciting weekends in the Irish sporting calendar.”
To buy tickets and plan your day at the races, visit https://www.irishchampionsfestival.ie/
The festival represents the pinnacle of Flat racing in Ireland, showcasing our world-class horses, trainers, jockeys and racecourses. Upgraded to feature seven Group 1 races this year, it is a brilliant opportunity to bring racing fans, newcomers and the wider community together in anticipation of one of the most exciting weekends in the Irish sporting calendar.
