The flat is back for Kildare racegoers! First raceday of the season at Curragh on Sunday

The Curragh Racecourse is set to launch their 2026 Flat Season, opening its gates on this Sunday, 15th March as part of the St Patrick’s Festival weekend.

The raceday at the Kildare track will also incorporate an exciting Mother’s Day celebration that sets the tone for a year of exceptional racing, fun for young and old, and landmark moments on Ireland’s premier racing stage.

Speaking ahead of the season, Brian Kavanagh, CEO, The Curragh Racecourse commented, “We are looking forward to an exceptionally exciting season at The Curragh, in particular, hosting Ireland’s first ever Good Friday race meeting is a truly historic occasion for the sport and for the racecourse.  

"Combined with world‑class racing, great entertainment, and a warm Curragh welcome, 2026 promises to be one of our most memorable seasons yet.”

St Patrick’s Day Festival & Mother’s Day Season Opener – Sunday, 15th March

The season begins with a special celebration of women and families to mark Mother’s Day, 15^th March. To mark the occasion, the first 150 ladies through the gates will receive a complimentary glass of bubbles, adding sparkle to a day filled with top‑class racing and family‑friendly entertainment to keep little ones entertained. 

Nua Healthcare Services, headquartered in Naas, is proud to return as a sponsor of the St. Patrick’s Festival Family Race Day at The Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, March 15th, 2026. This much-anticipated event not only celebrates the St. Patrick’s Festival weekend but also marks the opening of the 2026 flat racing season.

ABOVE; Pictured Left to Right at the launch of Nua Healthcare Services sponsorship at the Curragh Racecourse  – Evan Arkwright, Racing & Sponsorship Manager, The Curragh Racecourse; Barbara Brennan, Founder of Mental Health Matters; Ben Coen, Professional Irish Jockey; Noel Dunne, Chief Executive Officer, Nua Healthcare Services; Michael Higgins, General Manager of Irish Injured Jockeys.

Nua Healthcare Services provides community-based residential services, specialist mental health services and supported living services for children and adults with complex needs across Ireland. Through person-centred supports, clinical expertise and community integration, Nua Healthcare is committed to promoting inclusion, independence and overall wellbeing. 

Launch of the National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign

As part of its sponsorship, Nua Healthcare Services is partnering with Mental Health Matters to officially launch the 2026 National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign.  This is the moment when poster submissions open, and people across Ireland are invited to begin submitting their creative responses to this year’s themes ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10^th.

The campaign invites individuals, schools, community groups and organisations nationwide to explore mental health through original poster design. It aims to encourage reflection, creativity, and open conversation through visual storytelling.

 A dedicated ‘Mental Health Matters’ race will take place on the day, marking the official opening of submissions for the 2026 campaign and signalling the start of a national conversation around mental health awareness.

Supporting the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund

Nua Healthcare Services will also donate €2,500 to Irish Injured Jockeys. This contribution will be specifically allocated towards enhancing mental health awareness and supports for Irish jockeys, recognising the unique physical and psychological pressures faced within the professional racing industry.

 Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager at The Curragh Racecourse, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Nua Healthcare Services as lead sponsor for our first race day of the 2026 season. This is a day we have been looking forward to for many months, and partnering with Nua Healthcare to highlight mental wellbeing and to raise awareness of the supports available to those who may be struggling is extremely important to us.”

 Noel Dunne, CEO of Nua Healthcare Services, commented:

“We are thrilled to once again partner with The Curragh Racecourse and to use this platform to promote inclusivity, understanding and access to mental health supports across Ireland.  Launching the National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign with Mental Health Matters allows us to engage communities of all ages in meaningful dialogue through creativity. 

 I am also incredibly impressed by the work of Irish Injured Jockeys in supporting riders through challenging times. We are proud to make this contribution, which will be specifically earmarked to enhance mental health supports for jockeys.”

 Barbara Brennan, Founder of Mental Health Matters, said:

“The National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign is more than a creative initiative - it is a national statement that mental health is not a side conversation. It is a human issue, a workplace issue, a community issue, and it deserves visible, inclusive space.  Launching the campaign at The Curragh on such a significant day in the racing calendar sends a powerful signal. Mental health belongs everywhere decisions are made and communities gather. Through art and design, people of all ages can speak about their experience in ways that feel safe, powerful and real. Creativity challenges silence. Visibility challenges stigma. And when we make space for both, we strengthen the wellbeing of our society.”

The St. Patrick’s Festival Family Race Day at the Curragh will celebrate the start of the 2026 flat season, with a selection of activities for kids and families, alongside a competitive race line up featuring the Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire.  The Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire with total prize money of €100,000 has attracted 32 entries at the initial entry stage.  Most notable are prolific Curragh winner Big Gossey; Orandi, winner of the race last year for trainer Tony Martin; Abbey Actress trained by Johnny Murtagh; Mississippi River trained by Aidan OBrien  and the Danny McLoughlin trained Syzygy, together with Highbury See See, Carolina Jetsteam,  Norfolk Havoc and Wise Cracker trained in Britain by Richard Hughes.

For more information, please visit www.curragh.ie. For more on the National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign, please visit www.mentalhealthmatters.ie/postercampaign