First entries close for Curragh classics

SOME 90 entries have been received for the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Among those entered for the €1 million race are Group 1 winners St Mark’s Basilica, Van Gogh, Gear Up, Mac Swiney and Thunder Moon.

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of the first two-named above, has also entered the unbeaten High Definition, Breeders’ Cup runner-up Battleground and Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Wembley.

The Juddmonte Irish Oaks has attracted 76 entries, headed by Group 1 winners Pretty Gorgeous and Shale, trained by brothers Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien respectively.

The closing date for second entries for both races is May 19th.

BoyleSports £2.8m fine

BOYLESPORTS has been fined £2.8 million and had tougher conditions added to its licence by the Gambling Commission in Britain after an investigation by the regulator found a series of failures around measures to prevent money laundering, including the lack of an appropriate risk assessment and unsuitable policies, procedures and controls.

More Irish racing on ITV

ITV has added more Irish racing to its schedule in the coming weeks. The channel broadcast four races from Clonmel on Thursday and on Sunday it will include the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle in its coverage from Cheltenham.

On Sunday, December 6th ITV will show the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase from Punchestown and the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase from Cork. Races from the third and fourth days of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival will also be shown on ITV.

ITV will be showing racing on four more Thursdays before year end.