THE Curragh announced this week that Juddmonte will sponsor the Irish Oaks for the next three years, allowing Qatar’s Al Wasmiyah Stud take Juddmonte’s place as sponsor of the Pretty Polly Stakes on Sunday week.

The fillies’ classic will take place behind closed doors on Saturday, July 18th and has had some superb winners in recent years, including Enable who runs in the colours of the new sponsor’s owner Prince Khalid Abdullah.

Quadrilateral, who takes her chance in today’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, could bid to give Abdullah another win in the race. Also among a strong list of entries are Aidan O’Brien’s impressive 1000 Guineas winners Love and Peaceful.

Al Wasmiyah Stud has also signed a three-year deal for the Pretty Polly. Owned by Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiya and his family, the stud is one of the leading owner-breeders based in Qatar with interests in Britain, Ireland, and France. The stud has horses trained by Joseph O’Brien and a number of mares based at Kiltinan Castle Stud in Co Tipperary.

Curragh chief executive Pat Keogh said: “We are very grateful to His Highness Prince Khalid and the team at Juddmonte for their generous support of the Curragh. These are very challenging times for all of us and having a great name like Juddmonte sponsoring the Irish Oaks is a great vote of confidence for Irish racing.

“It is also a huge honour for the Curragh that the Al Attiya family have agreed to sponsor one of our most prestigious races and we look forward to working closely with them to develop the partnership over the next three years.”