O'Brien father and son duo go in search of more racing glory at the Curragh this weekend
Just a few weeks on from the Irish Derby weekend, the Curragh Racecourse is set to host another massive weekend of racing as some of the top fillies in flat racing compete in the Darley Irish Oaks.
Royal Ascot winner Magic Wand (Ryan Moore) and Epsom Oaks heroine Forever Together (Donnacha OBrien) will spearhead Aidan O’Brien’s quest for a record equalling sixth win in the Darley Irish Oaks and the champion trainer will also be represented by Bye Bye Babyin the penultimate Classic of the season.
William Haggas (Sea Of Class), Joseph O’Brien (Tissiak) and Willie McCreery (Mary Tudor) will be trying to win the prestigious €400,000 fillies race for the first time while Dermot Weld (Romiyna) is hoping to bridge a gap of 22 years since Dance Design gave him a second win in the Irish Oaks, following on from Blue Wind in 1981.
Saturday’s card also stages the Group 2 Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes and the Group 3 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes as well as the €100,000 Tote Scurry Handicap and the Boodles Ladies Derby.
A total of nine British-trained runners will compete at the Curragh on Saturday including the David O’Meara-trained duo of Larchmont Ladand So Beloved who take on Aidan O’Brien’s well-bred St Patrick’s Day in the Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes.
The exciting filly Viadera, who made a winning debut over course and distance for Ger Lyons on Irish Derby weekend, will face five rivals in the Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes with that race also attracting the Mark Johnston-trained Marie’s Diamond.
On Sunday an eight race card includes the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes and the Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes while the first leg of the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys will conclude an action packed weekend at the Curragh.
September, who was placed in multiple Group 1 races as a juvenile for Aidan O’Brien, is a noteworthy runner in the Kilboy Estate Stakes on Sunday. A very high-class renewal of the race will also see O’Brien send out Broadway, Magical and Sarrocchi, while Jessica Harrington’s improving filly I’m So Fancy returns to the Curragh after her victory on Irish Derby weekend in the Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes.
British-trained sprinters Caspian Prince, Mabs Cross and Havana Grey, who all hold entries for the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend, will all take their chance in the Sapphire Stakes this weekend.
Racing on Saturday will begin at 2.35pm and the first race on Sunday is off at 1.45pm with over €1.1m in prize money on offer over the two days.