RACING enthusiasts are in for a real treat on Wednesday evening when The Irish Derby – Nios Mó Ná Rása premiers on TG4 at 9.30pm. It is also available worldwide on the tg4.ie website.

Directed by Evan Chamberlain and narrated by actress Fionnula Flanagan, The Irish Derby brings vividly to life the evolution of Ireland’s premier flat race from its modest beginnings in 1866 to the world-class showpiece of Irish racing that it is today.

The invitation-only preview at the Curragh before racing earlier this month was hosted jointly by the Curragh and TG4, featuring the ageless Lester Piggott as guest of honour. Camera shutters clicked with the speed and intensity of machine guns.

Film footage unseen for many decades now relives the epic success of Orby, the first Irish-trained winner of the Epsom Derby that went on to become the first dual Derby winner. Over half a century was to elapse before Santa Claus emulated that Derby double in 1964. Ted Walsh recounts how every youngster in Ireland marvelled at Christmas coming six months early that magical year.

Triple Crown

Equine heroes from the inter-war years come to life through footage of Museum’s Irish Triple Crown in 1935, emulated for the only time by the unbeaten Windsor Slipper in 1942. The latter belonged to Joe McGrath, the larger-than-life freedom fighter, Minister for Labour and co-founder of the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes.

Having dominated Irish racing for a decade, Joe McGrath gave back to Irish racing much more than he had ever derived from it when sponsoring the inaugural Irish Sweeps Derby in 1962. Viewers are invited to relive that greatest of all Irish sporting spectaculars which in one fell swoop promoted Irish flat racing from a provincial backwater to its now permanent place in racing worldwide.

Numerous interviewees recount their personal Irish Derby triumphs and disasters as the hour-long bi-lingual documentary winds up with this year’s Irish Derby, the first to be staged in front of the transformed grandstand and enclosure, blessed – for once – with glorious summer sunshine.

There are contributions from trainers Aidan O’Brien, Charles O’ Brien, Dermot Weld, Jim Bolger, John Gosden, John Oxx, Joseph O’ Brien and Michael Stoute, jockeys Frankie Dettori and Seamie Heffernan, former jockeys Piggott, Michael Kinane and Pat Smullen. There are also significant soundbites from Vincent O’ Brien.

Once again racing fans are indebted to producer AnnaMay Mullins of Bankos Tales productions. Her devotion to our cause has already given us such treats as Punchestown – Seeing out the Distance, Paddy Mullins the Great Stayer and The Irish Grand National – Chasing a Dream.

Tune in on Wednesday evening, enjoy and be proud of our country’s place on the international stage that racing has gained for us.