The Curragh

A new QuinnBet three-race handicap series at the Curragh was announced by the companies on Thursday. QuinnBet, who partnered with the racecourse on this endeavour, will award a cash prize to the staff of the trainer who accumulates the highest number of points in the three handicaps. Points are earned for filling the first five places in specific handicaps on July 23, Aug. 12 and Oct. 7. In addition, QuinnBet will present prizes to the groom in charge of the horse judged to be best turned out in their three...

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. Wednesday's insights features the debut of Book 1 star Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in a salty maiden at The Curragh. 17.00 Curragh, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) is the 11th foal out of the renowned Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who has provided Ballydoyle with...

His name conjures a sense of suspense, so when Drumroll (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was denied a short head by Teutates (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) after a pulsating tussle for Sunday's G3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule S. at The Curragh, it was only right that the drama would play out further as an inquiry was announced. Once the head-on had revealed the extent of the interference caused by the first-past-the-post to Ballydoyle's full-brother to Saxon Warrior (Jpn), the writing was on the wall and the result was duly amended in his...

Making amends for a narrow eclipse at Newmarket, The Aga Khan's Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) returned to re-establish her dominance at The Curragh on Sunday, providing Dermot Weld with a sixth G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and completing a weekend Classic double for her sire in the process. So impressive when taking the G1 Moyglare S. here in September, the TDN Rising Star was quicker away here than in the 1000 Guineas and able to draft in behind Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) and that runner's stablemate and pacemaker Dower...

Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup lived up to the billing and then some, with Ballydoyle's Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) making all and outbattling Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) in a stirring finish to The Curragh's joint-feature of the day. Having put in one of those on-the-face-of-it underwhelming comeback performances that the stable's kingpins can when fifth in the G2 Mooresbridge S. here at the start of the month, last year's G1 Irish Champion S. hero took the requisite leap forward with Ryan Moore intent on taking no prisoners. Relishing...

When it comes to the maidens at The Curragh's Irish Guineas weekend, it has become essential to follow Aidan O'Brien's chosen runners with the following year's Classics in mind and Sunday's Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden produced a winner in Matrika (Ire) (No Nay Never--Muravka {Ire}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) who very much gave that vibe. Following the TDN Rising Star label handed to the yard's Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on Saturday, the same honour is bestowed on this debutante who went two places better in the...

Outbattled at Newmarket, The Aga Khan's Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) returns to The Curragh for what could prove ample compensation in Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas. Unable to provide Dermot Weld with that elusive 1000 Guineas victory, the G1 Moyglare S.-winning TDN Rising Star bids to give her trainer a sixth of these. "She was a bit tired after the race, but she travelled home on the ferry and came home well and then she has picked up nicely and we've been pleased with her," her trainer said. "It...

Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh was one for Ballydoyle, as TDN Rising Star Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) provided his stable with compensation for their Newmarket disappointment three weeks earlier. Prepared for this Classic "old-school style" via the Madrid H. and Listed Tetrarch S., the dark horse of the Rosegreen 3-year-old crop attracted support into 3-1 second favouritism and enjoyed a tow from fellow TDN Rising Star Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) throughout the early stages. Putting the pressure on that 2000 Guineas runner-up three out, the...

Continuing the stellar form of the Jessie Harrington stable, Theresa Marnane's Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}--Dromana {Ire}, by Dutch Art {GB}) edged a thriller for Saturday's G3 GAIN Marble Hill S. at The Curragh. Off the mark a fortnight earlier at Navan, the 11-1 shot was towards the fore from the outset under Shane Foley before being left in front two out. Headed by TDN Rising Star and 13-8 favourite Noche Magica (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) a furlong later, the bay battled hard between that rival and Ballydoyle's Listed...

   Dermot Weld is hunting for his second consecutive edition of the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, and he saddles Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), who enters on the back of a strong second in the English equivalent. Also represented by Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal), Weld faces a strong contingent from Ballydoyle, among others, with GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), who renews her rivalry with the former, the best of her rivals.   ASPEN GROVE (IRE), Justify--Data Dependent (More Than Ready) Owner: Craig Bernick Breeder: Glen...

There was a time around three decades ago when Paul Cole's name was synonymous with the turf's leading lights left, right and centre around Europe. Over 30 years on from his last win in any of the British, Irish or French Classics, the Whatcombe Estate frontiersman who now runs his stable along with son Oliver has found one again. Not since the heady days of Generous (Ire) and co has the Berkshire stable been as electrified as it is at present thanks to Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and it...

by Heather Anderson & Brian Sheerin    A strong field of 11 has been drawn to the Curragh to dispute Classic honours, with a typically robust challenge from Aidan O'Brien led by Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Several horses who contested the English equivalent are also testing their mettle in Ireland, as third-place finisher Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) was a £45,000 supplementary entry, joining Guineas runner-up Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).   AGE OF KINGS (IRE), Kingman (GB)--Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) Owner: Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Brant Breeder:...