IF you’re serious about flat racing then you can’t afford to miss next weekend’s Tattersalls Guineas Festival at the Curragh.
Last year’s Festival was littered with top class performances from the likes of Field Of Gold, Lake Victoria, Los Angeles, Porta Fortuna, Balantina and Albert Einstein.
This year the meeting has been slimmed down to two days so the quality should be even better. Early signs are more than promising.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Gstaad is reportedly on course for the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas next Saturday. He was eight lengths clear of the field when second in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket two weeks ago.
Newmarket fifth Thesecretadversary and Greenham Stakes winner Alparslan (winner of the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Stakes at the Curragh last September) are also prominent in the early betting for the classic.
There are reports that Joseph O’Brien could supplement Gowran Park maiden winner Go Just Do It.
True Love will be hard to beat in Sunday’s Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas. So impressive in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, the filly won the Group 2 Gain Railway Stakes at this track last season, and finished second in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.
This week Aidan O’Brien indicated that he also plans to run Precise, winner of the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. She was below her best at Newmarket where she was the mount of retained rider Ryan Moore.
Other intriguing entries for the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas include Paddy Twomey’s Black Caviar Gold, Willie McCreery’s Skydance and Donnacha O’Brien’s Athasi Stakes winner Kensington Lane.
Sharing top billing on Sunday is the Tattersalls Gold Cup, rated one of the top 10 races staged anywhere n the world in 2025.
Minnie Hauk, the world’s highest-rated racemare on any surface, is on course for this 10-furlong Group 1 following her impressive seasonal reappearance in the Clem Murphy Memorial Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes over the same course and distance on May 4th.
This week John Gosden said that he is considering the Tattersalls Gold Cup for Ombudsman, second only to Calandagan in the World Rankings for 2025. Ombudsman won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the International at York last season. In March he won the Dubai Turf effortlessly at Meydan.
Chief supporting races on Saturday include the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes and the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes. Sunday’s card includes the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes and the Group 3 Kilkea Castle Marble Hill Stakes. All of these races have a strong record in producing Royal Ascot candidates.
SATURDAY at the Curragh sees the return of the Ashford Castle Style Icon Award.
The winner, as chosen by stylist Marietta Doran and Lisa Toomey from Ashford Castle, will receive a two-night stay for two in the magnificent Junior State Room in Ireland’s first and only Forbes five-star hotel and spa in Co Mayo.
Entertainment across the weekend includes the Saturday night after-party with The Highstool Prophets. Throughout the weekend, The Ramblin Rovers and Nitetrain will keep racegoers entertained in Lilywhites Lounge.
Racecourse CEO Brian Kavanagh said: “The Tattersalls Irish Guineas is always a standout moment in our season. We look forward to welcoming racegoers for a weekend of exceptional sport, style and atmosphere.”
Save money on tickets
AS always, best value tickets are available online if purchased in advance. While hospitality is now sold out, there is still great value available through the Curragh’s €50 weekend ticket and the ‘all-in’ Raceday Saver at €42.
Children under 18 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Free bus service
A FREE shuttle bus service will run from nearby towns and train stations across the weekend. Full details are available on the curragh.ie website.