The Curragh

David Menuisier has provided an upbeat bulletin on G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby hope Lionel (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) after the colt delighted the trainer in a recent racecourse gallop at Kempton. A winner of the Listed Cocked Hat S. when last seen, Lionel is a general 10-1 chance for the Curragh Classic and is reported to be in rude health by his trainer. Menuisier said, "All is in place for Saturday-so far so good. He keeps on developing and [is] getting stronger and stronger. He did a...

Kept waiting over three weeks for the re-emergence of Age of Kings (Ire) (Kingman {GB}--Turret Rocks {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) following his highly promising debut at Naas, the Irish racing faithful were able to revel in a second outing full of top-class potential on Wednesday as he became the fifth TDN Rising Star among Ballydoyle's current juvenile crop. Backed into 4-7 favouritism for The Curragh's six-furlong Holden Plant Rentals Irish EBF Race, the 1.1million gns Book 1 graduate was able to cruise in front under Ryan Moore before being...

One of the most valuable staying contests of the European season will be staged at the Curragh on Sept. 25 when the Irish Cesarewitch is run for a total prize find of €600,000. A group of supporters of Ireland's flagship racecourse have united under the banner of 'Friends of the Curragh' to back the prestigious two-mile contest in a three-year sponsorship commitment. The race will now take place earlier than usual, with permission having been granted by the European Patter Committee to move the G3 Loughbrown S. to a later...

A total of 16 participants will line up for the 2022 Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series, announced officials from the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund. The riders taking part are: Jane Davis, Neil Durkan, Peter O'Reilly, Joan Tyner, Craig Kileff, Laura Bennett, Stan Begley, Sonya Mc Aleer, Maia O'Connor Kridichart, Michelle O'Brien, Darren Harrison, Marie Vallet, Laura Burnett, Fiona Dowling, Emer Lawlor and Dean Ryan. After a two-year break, the series is comprised of three races held at The Curragh, Gowran Park and Leopardstown Racecourses in July, September and October, respectively....

Kept back from the 1000 Guineas and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Moyglare Stud's TDN Rising Star Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was finally let loose on unsuspecting victims lined up for what appeared to be a competitive edition of the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on Sunday. Travelling like the best filly the whole way settled in rear of mid-division by Chris Hayes, the 11-2 shot who had offered tantalising insight into what was to come when taking the seven-furlong G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at...

The William Haggas show had another stirring episode at The Curragh on Sunday as M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) came out on top of a thrilling finale to a G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup which will be recalled for some time. Last year's G2 King Edward VII S. winner had lost a front shoe when a gallant sixth in the Mar. 26 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic when last seen, having readily beaten Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) previously in the G3 Winter Derby at Lingfield Feb. 26, and was...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a daughter of Grade I winner Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). 1.40 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 6fT NEVER ENDING STORY (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is another significant Ballydoyle newcomer on this important weekend, being the first foal out of the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational winner Athena (Ire)...

There is something about Galileo (Ire) and the Curragh's hallowed strip of running ground that made such a perfect fit as his star rose inexorably throughout the last two decade or so and, while several of the track's signature races bear his name as sire, the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas does so markedly. Six of the last 11 and the last three winners of the fillies' Classic all carried his stamp and, of course, they all hailed from the colony of class assembled at Rosegreen. Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore's...

The Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas field boasts several well-pedigreed entrants that are related to other filles and mares that shone in this Classic, including Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose older full-sister Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) secured the 2021 edition and her Aidan O'Brien stablemate Lullaby (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose dam is a full-sister to Irish 1000 Guineas second Ishvana (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Pricy €2-million buy Purplepay (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) makes her first start for Lael Stables since her tour of the Arqana December sales ring, however she...

With Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) setting it up for him, Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) carried the heavy burden of hope into Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh but with William Buick at his coolest the trinity of Guineas victories was completed with a degree of comfort. While the winning performance was not much more than workmanlike as the champion juvenile of 2021 grafted to deny the outsiders New Energy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and Imperial Fighter (Ire) (The Gurkha...

Already a dual winner prior to Saturday's G3 GAIN Marble Hill S. at The Curragh, Ballydoyle's Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) was the picture of professionalism as he made all under Ryan Moore to assume the mantle of generation leader. Already hardened by the experience of battle in this track's May 2 Listed First Flier S., the 5-2 second favourite set out to dictate on this first foray over six furlongs and relished the extra distance as he shook off the even-money market-leader Tough Talk (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) to stretch...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a pricy Mendelssohn half-brother to stakes winner Jo Jo Air (Scat Daddy). 1.35 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT CONGO RIVER (Mendelssohn) is the choice of Ryan Moore of the Ballydoyle duo in the maiden won two years ago by Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never). A...