The Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase is one of Ireland’s most prestigious National Hunt races, taking place at Listowel during the famous Harvest Racing Festival, and this year’s renewal on September 24th, 2025, has drawn an outstanding field of 32 potential runners.
The Kerry National stands alongside marquee events like the Galway Races and Punchestown Festival, marking the start of the autumn campaign and serving as a landmark race for connections and racing fans alike.
It is the biggest race of the Listowel festival, known for its competitive nature and rich tradition. Run over three miles and with eighteen fences to jump, the handicap chase attracts top-class horses, trainers, and jockeys from across Ireland and the UK.
Its prize fund is among the largest outside of the big metropolitan fixtures, and winning here sets connections up nicely for the coming season.
The tight, undulating track at Listowel and the demanding nature of the race make it a true test of stamina, jumping, and tactical nous.
So which runner is going to take the spoils in 2025? The betting markets are tight at the top, but three stand out as those to keep a close eye on. And of course, Willie Mullins is in the mix – is it even a race in Ireland if he isn’t?
2025 Kerry National Betting Market
This year’s market is led by three solid contenders, each representing powerhouse stables with outstanding recent form, and the betting action is already lively among leading bookmakers keen to capture our attention with competitive odds and enhanced specials.
Whether watching from the stands or browsing the latest odds via an online pokies site, racing fans have ample choice for where to place their wagers ahead of this classic handicap. So let’s take a closer look at the top three in the betting.
You Oughta Know (Willie Mullins)
You Oughta Know tops the betting and is fancied to give Willie Mullins another big festival win. Mullins, Ireland’s champion trainer, has an enviable record in major handicaps and brings a team well tuned for autumn targets.
You Oughta Know’s profile combines established form over fences with scope for further progress, particularly at this staying trip.
Mullins runners are often primed for Listowel and, while history shows only three Mullins-trained horses have won the Kerry National in the past 22 runnings, You Oughta Know’s strong performances at graded level make him worthy of consideration, but his form suggests that a better horse could beat him on the day.
Jordans (Joseph O’Brien)
Jordans is a strong second favourite for Joseph O’Brien, a trainer riding high after capturing the Irish St Leger with Al Riffa just days ago.
O’Brien has trained two Kerry National winners in the past three years, cementing his reputation in big staying handicaps.
Jordans comes into the race with robust form, often running well off a break and showing plenty of grit in competitive handicaps.
With O’Brien’s knack for targeting major autumn handicaps and his horses’ consistent record at Listowel, Jordans has every chance to be involved at the finish, especially if ground conditions suit and the race is run at a solid pace.
What’s Up Darling (Gordon Elliott)
Gordon Elliott’s What’s Up Darling is third in the betting and has been steadily laid out for this race after showing promise in graded company. Elliott, twice a Kerry National winner in recent years, is adept at readying his string for marquee events.
Gigginstown’s What’s Up Darling has only just won his first race, a beginners chase at Kilbeggan, but his profile fits the race trends, as does his experience at three miles over fences.
Elliott’s Listowel record is impressive, and What’s Up Darling seems to relish a test of stamina and the ability to travel through a big field. With shrewd placement and race tactics, the stable is expected to see a big run.
Recent Winners and Trends
Looking back, recent Kerry National winners have come from a mix of power stables and surprise outsiders. No winning favourite has emerged from the last 10 runnings, and as with so many huge handicap fields, winners regularly return at double-figure odds.
Notable recent victors include Flooring Porter (6/1, 2024), Desertmore House (11/1, 2023), Busselton (13/2, 2022), Assemble (9/1, 2021), and Cabaret Queen (6/1, 2020).
Historically, runners rated 126 or higher, aged eight or younger, and those with at least two chase wins have performed best.
While Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Joseph O’Brien have all won the race, it has not always gone to the hottest in the betting, and trends favour unexposed improvers or seasoned handicappers.
National Hunt Season Kick-Off
The Kerry National is not just a major betting heat; it’s the spiritual start of the Irish National Hunt autumn, with echoes carried into the likes of the Welsh National, Aintree Grand National, Irish Grand National, and the Scottish National.
For trainers, owners, and punters, this race sets the tone for the jumps calendar, flagging emerging talent and seasoned campaigners on a path toward household-name staying chases through winter and spring.
With competitive fields and skilled trainers targeting this first “big one,” the Kerry National’s outcome will be a talking point for the rest of the season.
From the traditions of Listowel to the drama of the big autumn handicaps, the 2025 Guinness Kerry National promises a spectacular contest, exciting betting opportunities, and signals the true beginning of National Hunt racing’s grand narrative.
