The three-day Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival gets underway at the Curragh on Friday with an eight-race card starting at 4.33pm local time where a field of 20 will face the starter for the Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby at 6.45pm.
Click here for enhanced form guide for the Currasgh.
Sign up an bet the Currasgh and 500+ other tracks at Iron Bets! New players can earn up to a $300 deposit bonus! At Iron Bets look for Daily Promotions throughout the week! Iron Bets players also will receive great rewards, free past performances and more!
Bet on the Irish Racing Festival at Iron Bets!
Last year’s winner Pillar Of Hope, owned and trained by Paul Sweeney in Letterkenny, is declared with Donegal apprentice Patrick McGettigan again in the saddle while other notable runners include the hat-trick seeking Darius Dark (Johnny Murtagh), Keepsgettingbetter (Donnacha O’Brien), Tatum (Noel Meade) and Faro Island (Andy Oliver).
Locally-trained Nod Of Approval (Jessica Harrington), second to Darius Dark at Cork in April, is another likely to figure prominently with Kill, county Kildare trainer Ross O’Sullivan responsible for two runners, Cracking Cloud and Eastern Peace.
The meeting concludes with the Corinthian Challenge race, a very special event where 13 amateur riders will line up for the 1m4f contest in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.
Michael Higgins, general manager of Irish Injured Jockeys, said: “Building on the past success of the Corinthian Challenge, our goal was to enhance its attractiveness for participants, spectators, and the media with the event being held on The Dubai Duty Free Derby weekend.
We sincerely thank this year’s challengers for their remarkable dedication to both participating and fundraising for IIJ. The feedback we’ve received so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are all excited for the big day at the Curragh, who have, as always, been incredibly supportive of our efforts.”
Meanwhile the anticipation is growing ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster €1.25 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (4.35pm) where the Joseph O’Brien-trained challenger James J Braddock has been the subject of strong market support since the forfeit stage on Tuesday.
The son of Zarak, narrow winner of the Derby Trial at Leopardstown last month, is as low as 5-1 having been double that price 24 hours earlier.
Before his staying on third on soft ground at Epsom, James J Braddock did himself no favours when getting worked up in the preliminaries and his jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle is expecting more.
“To run third in the Derby and do what he did before the race when he burned up a lot of fuel, hopefully he can run a big race. It’s different ground but I don’t think it’ll be a problem to him.”
Ireland’s champion jockey added: “He’s come out of the race good and feels like he’s sharpened up well so hopefully if he behaves a bit better than he did at Epsom it’ll be a big help to him.”
Following the recent warm spell the going at the Curragh on Wednesday morning was described as good on the straight course and good, good to firm in places, on the round course with selective watering to commence.
Saturday 27th June – Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes Day
Saturday brings one of the highlights of the European racing calendar: the Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes, attracting elite fillies and mares from across the continent. The day combines high fashion with The K Club’s Most Stylish Racegoer, as well as premium hospitality, and a buzzing social scene, making it a favourite for style‑focused racegoers and lifestyle media.
Sunday 28th June – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day
The festival reaches its crescendo with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Ireland’s most prestigious Flat race and a defining moment in the international racing season. Marking a legacy that extends over 160 years, the Irish Derby is a race that continues to stand as one of the most prestigious and thrilling in the world. The race has produced legends of the turf for generations and continues to draw international attention from owners, trainers, and racing enthusiasts worldwide. Off the track, all eyes will be on the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Best Dressed Competition, which attracts world class style each year.
