THE Curragh enjoyed a very successful Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival last month and will be hoping for more of the same when the three-day Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival kicks off next Friday evening.

This is the racecourse’s premier fixture of the year – 26 races over three days, headed by the €1.25 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday, June 28th.

Impressive Epsom winner Christmas Day is expected to try and add the Irish classic to his CV but there will be a few serious challengers ready to take him on. They include Sandown Classic Trial winner Raaheeb, Epsom third James J Braddock and A Boy Named Susie, who was an eyecatching fourth in the Prix du Jockey Club.

Sunday’s 10-race card is a World Pool day from start to finish, which is great news for punters who know the Irish form well.

Derby day action begins at 1.10pm and the second race is the fiercely competitive Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap over five furlongs. There are seven Britsh-trained horses among the initial 27 entries and last year’s winner Keke is also engaged again.

Leading British trainer William Haggas has made a number of entries already for the supporting races, including Crown Of Oaks in the 10-furlong Group 3 Dubai Duty Free International Stakes. Winner of three of his four starts last season, Crown Of Oaks suffered his only defeat of the campaign at the Curragh, so perhaps connections have a score to settle.

The feature race next Saturday is the Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes. This could well be the best race of the weekend as entries include Arc runner-up Aventure, Royal Ascot heroine Cercene, David O’Meara’s recent winner Estrange, the prolific globetrotter Fairy Glen, classic winner Fallen Angel and high class See The Fire.

Three-year-olds engaged include the impressive Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On (whose dam Thundering Nights won this race in 2021).

Saturday’s card also features the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes for two-year-old fillies, which Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore have won for the past four years.

The Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap is one of the highlights of Friday evening’s racing, along with the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish EBF Stayers Handicap, which has moved from the Sunday card.

However, it may well be that the biggest cheer of the night will be reserved for the Corinthian Challenge, the charity race in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys, which rounds out the evening. This 12-furlong race will see 13 riders from all walks of life line up at the start, each having spent months getting race-fit and having raised thousands of euro for a great cause.

Friday

  • 3.00 Gates open
  • 4.33 Keadeen Hotel Irish EBF 2YO Maiden of €25,000. 6f.
  • 5.05 Diageo Luxury Spirits Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden of €25,000. 1m.
  • 5.35 Silken Thomas and Lock 13 Handicap of €25,000. 1m.
  • 6.10 Schweppes Trophy Handicap of €30,000. 7f.
  • 6.45 Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap of €30,000. 1m. 4f.
  • 7.25 McGuinness Maintenance Services Irish EBF Maiden of €25,000. 1m. 2f.
  • 8.00 O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish EBF Stayers Handicap of €35,000. 2m. 76yds.
  • 8.30 Corinthian Challenge in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys. 1m 4f.
  • 8.45 O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Afterparty with The Whistlin’ Donkeys
  • 10.30 Bars close

    • Saturday

  • 11.30 Gates open
  • 1.45 Barronstown Stud Irish EBF 2YO Maiden of €30,000. 7f.
  • 2.15 Airlie Stud 2YO Fillies Stakes (Group 2) of €130,000. 6f.
  • 2.45 Neville Homes Summer Fillies (Premier) Handicap of €100,000. 7f.
  • 3.20 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables 2YO Anglesey Stakes (Group 3) of €70,000. 6f 63yds.
  • 3.55 Paddy Power Pretty Polly (F&M) Stakes (Group 1) of €400,000. 1m 2f.
  • 4.30 Reserve Ladies Derby Handicap of €30,000. 1m. 2f.
  • 5.05 Fitzpatrick’s Garage Handicap of €30,000. 6f.
  • 5.35 Jo Browne Luxury Skincare Irish EBF Maiden of €30,000. 6f.
  • 7.00 Bars close

    • Complimentary transport into Kildare town for the Final Furlong Sessions (see kildarederbyfestival.ie for more details).

    Sunday

  • 11am Gates open
  • 1.10 Gain Equine Nutrition Irish EBF 2YO Fillies Maiden of €40,000. 7f.
  • 1.40 Dubai Duty Free Rockingham (Premier) Handicap of €100,000. 5f.
  • 2.10 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash (Listed) of €100,000. 6f.
  • 2.45 Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF Ragusa (Premier) Handicap of €100,000. 1m 4f.
  • 3.20 Dubai Duty Free International Stakes (Group 3) of €100,000. 1m 2f.
  • 3.55 Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes (Listed) of €100,000. 1m.
  • 4.35 Dubai Duty Free Irish (3YO) Derby (Group 1) of €1,250,000. 1m 4f.
  • 5.10 Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort Maddenstown (Premier) Handicap of €100,000. 1m 1f.
  • 5.45 Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival (Premier) Handicap of €100,000. 1m.
  • 6.00 O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Afterparty with The Tumbling Paddies
  • 8.00 Bars close

    • Music and fashion are

    to the fore

    THE Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival is one of the summer’s special meetings, combining world-class racing with fashion, live music, great food and a fantastic atmosphere.

    After racing on Friday, the party continues with a live performance from crowd favourites The Whistlin’ Donkeys.

    Saturday promises to be one of the most stylish racedays of the year. Singer and TV personality Una Healy will judge The K Club’s Most Stylish Racegoer competition, which will see one lucky winner receive a luxury weekend stay at the five-star resort.

    On Sunday fashion will once again be to the fore as broadcaster and style icon Vogue Williams judges the Dubai Duty Free Best Dressed Person Competition.

    Following the final race, festival-goers can round off the weekend with a live performance from The Tumbling Paddies, bringing one of Ireland’s biggest sporting weekends to a memorable close.

    Book early for unbeatable value

    A NEW three-day Festival Ticket is available this year for just €70, offering excellent value for anyone planning to enjoy the full weekend.

    The popular All-In Raceday Saver package starts from €37 and includes admission, a racecard, a €10 food voucher and a €5 Tote betting voucher.

    Group rates are available from €20 per person for parties of eight or more. Children under 18 can attend free when accompanied by a paying adult, with the exception of Derby Sunday when a €15 admission charge applies for those aged 15 to 18.

    Racegoers are encouraged to book online in advance, as prices will increase to gate rates from midnight on Wednesday.

    Getting to the races

    FREE buses will operate throughout the Festival, connecting with mainline train services arriving into and departing from Newbridge and Kildare stations.

    Complimentary transport will also be available from Naas, Newbridge and Kildare town centres. There is ample free parking at the Curragh, while a fleet of golf buggies will be on hand to help transport racegoers from the car parks to the entrance.

    For full ticket and travel

    information, visit curragh.ie.

    Kildare Derby Festival

    THE fun stretches beyond the racecourse next week as the Kildare Derby Festival takes place from Tuesday to Sunday, transforming the town into a hub of music, culture and entertainment.

    Festival highlights include the Connolly’s Red Mills Pooch Parade and an intimate cathedral performance by acclaimed violinist Vladimir Jablokov.

    Saturday’s Final Furlong Sessions will feature live Irish music acts including Paddy Casey, Brian Kennedy, Ham Sandwich and many more at locations throughout the town.

    Web: kildarederbyfestival.ie.