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The Curragh is all set to host Ireland’s first-ever Good Friday raceday.
This unique fixture promises to combine high-quality racing with a family-focused Easter celebration and, notably, free admission for all racegoers, made possible by the support of the Curragh on-course bookmakers.
The eight-race card, featuring total prize money of €420,000, begins with the Irish Stallion Farms Juvenile Sprint Maiden and includes the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Park Express Stakes, which has seen a significant prize fund increase. The card also includes the €100,000 1xBet.ie Emerald Cup.
Aidan O'Brien runs two colts in the opening two-year-old maiden, both by No Nay Never out of Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winners. Ryan Moore rides New Yorker, a son of 2018 Cheveley Park winner Fairyland, while Wayne Lordan is aboard Confucius, whose dam Millisle won the Cheveley Park in 2019.
The feature race, the Group 3 Park Express Stakes, had attracted a quality field of 10 fillies. The Ger Lyons-trained Faiyum is the hot favourite.
Ribee and Eastwatch, the first two home in the Irish Lincolnshire last month, are among the 20 runners declared for the Emerald Cup Mile Handicap.
Beyond the racing, the day is designed as a memorable Easter outing, with family attractions including Nore Valley Pet Farm, themed games and activities, and the chance to win a €2,500 Centre Parcs family getaway.
Curragh CEO Brian Kavanagh commented: “Hosting Ireland’s first-ever Good Friday raceday is a truly historic moment for the Curragh and for Irish racing.
“We are proud to open our gates for a special Easter celebration, designed with families in mind. With thrilling racing and much children’s entertainment, we look forward to welcoming regular and new racegoers of all ages for a memorable day at the home of Irish flat racing.”
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